NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

18 October 2023

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

of

Kin and Carta plc

by

Kelvin UK Bidco Limited

(a newly formed company owned indirectly by funds advised by Apax Partners LLP)

to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement

under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006

Summary

·    The boards of directors of Kelvin UK Bidco Limited ("Bidco"), a newly formed company owned indirectly by funds advised by Apax Partners LLP ("Apax"), and Kin and Carta plc ("Kin and Carta" or the "Company") are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended cash acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital of Kin and Carta (the "Acquisition").

·    It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the 2006 Act. Bidco reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme, subject to the Panel's consent and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement.

·    Under the terms of the Acquisition, each Kin and Carta Shareholder at the Scheme Record Time will be entitled to receive:

for each Kin and Carta Share held: 110 pence in cash (the "Offer Price")

·    The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately:

·    41 per cent. to the Closing Price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share on 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period);

·    41 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the three-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period); and

·    51 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 73 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the six-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period).

·    The Acquisition values Kin and Carta's entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital at approximately £203 million on a fully diluted basis.

·    If, on or after the date of this announcement and prior to the Acquisition becoming Effective, any dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital or value is announced, declared, made or paid or becomes payable in respect of the Kin and Carta Shares, Bidco reserves the right to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition for the Kin and Carta Shares by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such dividend and/or distribution and/or other return of capital or value, in which case any reference in this announcement to the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition will be deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. In such circumstances, Kin and Carta Shareholders would be entitled to retain any such dividend, distribution and/or other return of capital or value declared, made or paid. Any exercise by Bidco of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be the subject of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the terms of the Acquisition or the Scheme.

Background to and reasons for the Acquisition

·    Apax views Kin and Carta as a high-quality business with a strong platform in the Digital Transformation ("DX") sector, particularly in view of its impressive roster of blue-chip enterprise customers, recognised brand and capabilities in key areas of the sector. The Company is led by an experienced management team, with a clear vision and strategy for the future direction of the business.

·    However, the changing economic backdrop has highlighted the importance of scale and diversification in the DX sector. Apax believes that as a private company Kin and Carta will be better placed to make the investments necessary to position the business for long-term success.

·    Apax believes it is well positioned to support Kin and Carta's next phase of growth given its significant experience and track record within this sector. Apax intends to provide operational expertise, and the Apax Funds intend to provide capital, to support the business in order to accelerate growth both organically and inorganically to continue building scale in key areas. A partnership with Apax and the Apax Funds away from the public markets is expected to improve the potential for value creation compared to the status quo as a listed business and better position the Company to create long-term value for the benefit of customers, employees and other stakeholders.

Recommendation

·    The Kin and Carta Directors, who have been so advised by Citi as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing its advice, Citi has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Kin and Carta Directors. Citi is providing independent financial advice to the Kin and Carta Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.

·    Accordingly, the Kin and Carta Directors intend to recommend unanimously that Kin and Carta Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as the Kin and Carta Directors who hold Kin and Carta Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings totalling 1,243,316 Kin and Carta Shares in aggregate (representing approximately 0.7 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of Kin and Carta as at 17 October 2023, being the Business Day prior to the date of this announcement). Further details of these undertakings, including the circumstances in which they cease to be binding, are set out in Appendix 3 to this announcement.

Information on Bidco and Apax

·    Bidco is a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales. Bidco is a newly-formed company indirectly owned by the Apax Funds. Bidco was formed for the purposes of the Acquisition and has not traded since its date of incorporation, nor has it entered into any obligations other than in connection with the Acquisition.

·    Apax is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and ideas that transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of more than US$65 billion. Funds advised by Apax invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech, Services, Healthcare, and Internet / Consumer and provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.

Information on Kin and Carta

·    Kin and Carta is a global DX consultancy, serving businesses across the healthcare, financial services, industrial and agriculture, retail and distribution, transportation and public sectors, among others.

·    Previously known as St Ives plc, Kin and Carta has evolved from a printing and marketing services group into a DX consultancy focused on delivering connected outcomes for clients through digital innovation, cloud modernisation, data enablement and digital optimisation.

·    Kin and Carta is a certified B Corp and became the first publicly traded business on the London Stock Exchange to earn this accreditation. B Corp certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits to supply chain practices and input materials.

·    Kin and Carta's headquarters are in London, with US headquarters in Chicago, and it has over 1,800 consultants, engineers and data scientists globally. 

Timetable and conditions

·    It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a court‑sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the 2006 Act (although Bidco reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement). 

·    The terms of the Acquisition will be put to Kin and Carta Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting. The Court Meeting and the General Meeting are required to enable Kin and Carta Shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, vote in favour of the Scheme and the Resolutions to implement the Scheme. In order to become Effective, the Scheme must be approved by a majority in number of Kin and Carta Shareholders, present and voting at the Court Meeting, whether in person or by proxy, representing 75 per cent. or more in value of the Scheme Shares voted. In addition, a special resolution implementing the Scheme must be passed by Kin and Carta Shareholders representing at least 75 per cent. of votes cast at the General Meeting.

·    The Conditions to the Acquisition are set out in full in Appendix 1 to this announcement along with certain other terms. The full terms and conditions will be provided in the Scheme Document.

·    It is expected that the Scheme Document, containing further information about the Acquisition and notices of the Court Meeting and General Meeting, together with the associated forms of proxy, will be posted to Kin and Carta Shareholders as soon as practicable and in any event within 28 days of this announcement (or such later date as Kin and Carta, Bidco and the Panel agree) and the Meetings will be held as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, giving the required notice for such meetings. Subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, the Scheme Document will also be made available on Kin and Carta's website at www.kinandcarta.com and on Bidco's website at www.kelvinoffer.com.

·    The Acquisition is currently expected to complete during the first calendar quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction or (where applicable) waiver of the Conditions. An expected timetable of key events relating to the Acquisition will be set out in the Scheme Document.

·    Commenting on the Acquisition, John Kerr, the Chair of Kin and Carta, said:

Following the successful strategic repositioning of the Company to a pure-play global digital transformation consultancy, Kin and Carta is poised to execute the next phase of development for the business.

We believe the offer to acquire Kin and Carta by Apax Funds represents an excellent opportunity for the Company to accelerate ambitious growth plans and scale the business, building on the acquisition and integration of leading data and technology companies, the development of valuable technology partnerships, and the creation of a strong portfolio of enterprise clients.

Apax's experience supporting and growing digital consultancy businesses with valuable connections, resources and access to incremental growth capital will enable Kin and Carta to expedite progress on the Company's existing strategy, by bolstering M&A capacity, providing access to new markets, and supporting the management team to deliver profitable long-term growth.

The Kin and Carta Board has concluded that the offer from Apax Funds provides shareholders with the certainty of a cash price today that fairly represents the opportunities and risks inherent in the business and delivery of Kin and Carta's strategy. The Board unanimously intends to recommend that Kin and Carta shareholders vote in favour of the Acquisition.

·    Commenting on this announcement, Rohan Haldea, a partner at Apax, said:

We are impressed by Kin and Carta's unique culture, talented team, and focus on customer impact as evidenced by their B Corp status. We have followed the company closely for several years and we have witnessed firsthand how their focus on innovation and strong platform in the Digital Transformation sector has made Kin and Carta a partner of choice for clients grappling with complex technology problems. We believe there is significant opportunity to enhance Kin and Carta's prospects as a private company, including by pursuing acquisitions that would enhance further its competitive position. As significant investors in the space, we hope to draw on our network, experience and operational expertise to support management and the wider team by investing in the business to enhance the value for customers, employees and other stakeholders, building on the firm's success to date.

This summary should be read in conjunction, and is subject to, the full text of this announcement and the Appendices. The Acquisition will be subject to the Conditions, further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Scheme Document. The bases and sources for certain financial information contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix 2. Details of the irrevocable undertakings received by Bidco are set out in Appendix 3. Certain definitions and terms used in this announcement are set out in Appendix 4.

The person responsible for arranging release of this announcement on behalf of Kin and Carta is Lucy Maxwell, Company Secretary.

Enquiries

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is acting as legal adviser to Apax and Bidco.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is acting as legal adviser to Kin and Carta.

Further information

Merrill Lynch International ("BofA Securities"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and the PRA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Apax and Bidco and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Apax and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition. Neither BofA Securities, nor any of its affiliates, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of BofA Securities in connection with the Acquisition, this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Equiteq Corporate Finance Limited ("Equiteq"), an appointed representative of Frank Investments Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Apax and Bidco and for no one else in connection with this announcement and any other matters in connection with it. Equiteq will not be responsible to anyone other than Apax and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with any matters in connection with this announcement. Neither Equiteq, nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Equiteq in connection with this announcement or any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the UK by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as financial adviser for Kin and Carta and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citi nor for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement, or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Numis Securities Limited ("Deutsche Numis") which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Kin and Carta and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Numis nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Deutsche Numis is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. Neither Deutsche Numis nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Deutsche Numis in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, any transaction or arrangement referred to herein, or otherwise.

Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Kin and Carta and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Peel Hunt nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Peel Hunt is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. Neither Peel Hunt nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Peel Hunt in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, any transaction or arrangement referred to herein, or otherwise.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Kin and Carta in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent document or exempted document.

This announcement contains inside information in relation to Kin and Carta for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Kin and Carta is Lucy Maxwell, Company Secretary. Kin and Carta's Legal Entity Identifier is 213800B32KQM8CENCR16.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements.  Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of complying with English law, the Takeover Code, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

The availability of the Acquisition to Kin and Carta Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens.  Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions.  In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to vote their Kin and Carta Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Meetings, or to appoint another person as proxy to vote at the Meetings on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located.  Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do  so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.  Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction.  Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition.  If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.

Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be included in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

Notice to U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders

The Acquisition relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under the laws of England. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "U.S. Exchange Act").  Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of the U.S. tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the UK and thus may not be comparable to financial information of U.S. companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S..

If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, which is to be made into the U.S., such Offer will be made in compliance with the applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

It may be difficult for U.S. holders of Kin and Carta Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the U.S. federal laws, since Bidco and Kin and Carta are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction.  U.S. holders of Kin and Carta Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws.  Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgement.

In accordance with normal UK practice and, in the event of an Offer, pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, Apax or its nominees, or its brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Kin and Carta Shares outside of the U.S., other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn.  Also, in accordance with Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, BofA Securities will continue to act as exempt principal trader in Kin and Carta Shares on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in England, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com.

U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders also should be aware that the transaction contemplated herein may have tax consequences in the U.S. and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein.  U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.

Forward looking statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and Kin and Carta contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements".  Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco and Kin and Carta about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco and Kin and Carta (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts.  Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "prepares", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "projects", "synergy", "strategy", "scheduled", "goal", "estimates", "forecasts", "cost-saving", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.  Forward looking statements may include statements relating to the following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Bidco's, Kin and Carta's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the Kin and Carta Group's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions and governmental regulation on Bidco's, Kin and Carta's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the Kin and Carta Group's business.

Although Bidco and Kin and Carta believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and Kin and Carta can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and schedule; changes in the global political, economic, business and competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces; changes in future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax rates; future business combinations or disposals; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in the behaviour of other market participants; changes in the anticipated benefits from the Acquisition not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco and Kin and Carta operate, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets, changes in tax rates, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco and Kin and Carta operate and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements.  If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions proves incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.  Neither Bidco nor Kin and Carta, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur.  You are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. 

Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Bidco nor Kin and Carta is under any obligation, and Bidco and Kin and Carta expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Opening Position Disclosure and Dealing Disclosure requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

Publication on a website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Kin and Carta's website at www.kinandcarta.com and on Bidco's website at www.kelvinoffer.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following this announcement.  For the avoidance of doubt, neither the content of these websites nor of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated by reference or forms part of this announcement.

No profit forecasts, estimates or quantified benefits statements

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Kin and Carta for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Kin and Carta.

Requesting hard copy documents

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Kin and Carta Shareholders, persons with information rights and participants in Kin and Carta Share Plans may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Kin and Carta's registrars, Link Asset Services, by (i) telephoning 0371 664 0321 between the hours of 9.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on a Business Day or (ii) submitting a written request to Link Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL. For persons who receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested.  Such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form.

Electronic communications

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Kin and Carta Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Kin and Carta may be provided to Bidco during the offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c) of the Takeover Code.

Rounding

Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments.  Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.

General

If the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, and such an Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are received, Bidco intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the 2006 Act so as to acquire compulsorily the remaining Kin and Carta Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted.

Investors should be aware that Bidco may purchase Kin and Carta Shares otherwise than under any Offer or the Scheme, including pursuant to privately negotiated purchases.

Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code

For the purposes of Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, Kin and Carta confirms that, as at 17 October 2023, it had in issue 177,931,360 ordinary shares of 10 pence each (excluding shares held in treasury).  The ISIN for the shares is GB0007689002.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

18 October 2023

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

of

Kin and Carta plc

by

Kelvin UK Bidco Limited

(a newly formed company owned indirectly by funds advised by Apax Partners LLP)

to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement

under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006

1          Introduction

The boards of directors of Bidco, a newly formed company owned indirectly by funds advised by Apax, and Kin and Carta are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended cash acquisition to be made by Bidco for the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital of Kin and Carta (the "Acquisition").

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a court‑sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the 2006 Act (although Bidco reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement). 

2          The Acquisition

Under the terms of the Acquisition, which will be subject to the Conditions and further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and the full terms and conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document, each Kin and Carta Shareholder at the Scheme Record Time will be entitled to receive:

for each Kin and Carta Share held: 110 pence in cash (the "Offer Price")

The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately:

·    41 per cent. to the Closing Price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share on 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period);

·    41 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the three-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period); and

·    51 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 73 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the six-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period).

The Acquisition values Kin and Carta's entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital at approximately £203 million on a fully diluted basis.

The Kin and Carta Shares will be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition fully paid and free from all liens, charges, equities, encumbrances, rights of pre‑emption and any other interests of any nature whatsoever and together with all rights attaching thereto, including without limitation voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) announced, declared, made or paid with a record date on or after the Effective Date.

If, on or after the date of this announcement and prior to the Acquisition becoming Effective, any dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital or value is announced, declared, made or paid or becomes payable in respect of the Kin and Carta Shares, Bidco reserves the right to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition for the Kin and Carta Shares by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such dividend and/or distribution and/or other return of capital or value, in which case any reference in this announcement to the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition will be deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. In such circumstances, Kin and Carta Shareholders would be entitled to retain any such dividend, distribution and/or other return of capital or value. Any exercise by Bidco of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be the subject of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the terms of the Acquisition or the Scheme.

3          Background to and reasons for the Acquisition

Apax views Kin and Carta as a high-quality business with a strong platform in the DX sector, particularly in view of its impressive roster of blue-chip enterprise customers, recognised brand and capabilities in key areas of the sector. The Company is led by an experienced management team, with a clear vision and strategy for the future direction of the business.

However, the changing economic backdrop has highlighted the importance of scale and diversification in the DX sector. Apax believes that as a private company Kin and Carta will be better placed to make the investments necessary to position the business for long-term success.

Apax believes it is well positioned to support Kin and Carta's next phase of growth given its significant experience and track record within this sector. Apax intends to provide operational expertise, and the Apax Funds intend to provide capital, to support the business in order to accelerate growth both organically and inorganically to continue building scale in key areas. A partnership with Apax and the Apax Funds away from the public markets is expected to improve the potential for value creation compared to the status quo as a listed business and better position the Company to create long-term value for the benefit of customers, employees and other stakeholders.

4          Directors, management, employees, pensions, research and development and locations

Strategic plans for Kin and Carta

As set out in paragraph 3 above, Bidco believes that the Acquisition has a compelling strategic rationale. 

Following completion of the Acquisition, Bidco intends to work with Kin and Carta management to complete a full evaluation of the Group and its strategy, delivery capabilities, operations and organisational structure. The evaluation will focus on all aspects of the business and the opportunities available to it, including:

·    identifying existing and new growth and development opportunities;

·    value enhancing investments with the aim of expanding the scope and scale of Kin and Carta's capabilities;

·    assessing potential acquisitions that could help improve the competitive position of the business; and

·    continuing the transformation and simplification of the Kin and Carta business that management have been pursuing over the past several years, and considering any potential additional actions to further this project, including a review of third party spend.

Bidco believes it is well-suited to support Kin and Carta as a DX player. Apax and the Apax Funds will provide Kin and Carta with the strategic, tactical and financial resources required to support the management team's efforts in exploring growth opportunities and expanding its offering to customers.

Employees and management

Bidco attaches great importance to the skills, experience and commitment of the Kin and Carta management and employees and believes that they will be fundamental to maximising the long-term success of Kin and Carta. Bidco is committed to fully support management in continuing to execute their strategic vision and plans.

Bidco confirms that, following the Acquisition becoming Effective, the existing statutory and contractual rights and terms and conditions of employment of management and employees of the Kin and Carta Group, including in relation to pensions, will be fully safeguarded in accordance with applicable law. Bidco has no intention to make material modifications to the conditions of employment of management or employees of the Kin and Carta Group or in the balance of their skills and functions, unless otherwise agreed upon with the respective employees.

Once Kin and Carta ceases to be a listed company, a limited number of public company-related functions may become unnecessary and therefore be reduced in scope. No proposals have been developed as to how any such reduction will be implemented, but such proposals (if any) will be determined as part of the discussions with Kin and Carta management following the Acquisition becoming Effective.

Bidco intends to support management in their efforts to continue to improve systems and processes as well as simplify the business to improve the scalability of the cost base. While specific plans or intentions have not been formulated, Bidco expects to derive scale benefits from investments in new systems and processes, as well as continued leverage of margin-efficient nearshore opportunities. Following the Acquisition, Bidco does not intend to make a material reduction in headcount of the Kin and Carta Group. If other opportunities for optimisation of Kin and Carta's cost base are identified, where possible and appropriate, individuals in affected roles may be offered alternative roles within Kin and Carta.

Upon the Acquisition becoming Effective, all of the non-executive directors of Kin and Carta will resign and from that point will cease to be directors of Kin and Carta.

Incentivisation and retention arrangements

Bidco believes that the ongoing participation of senior management of Kin and Carta is very important to the future success of Kin and Carta. As described above, Bidco intends to review the management, governance and incentive structure of Kin and Carta following the Acquisition becoming Effective.  Save as described below, Bidco has not entered into, nor has it had discussions on the terms of, any form of incentivisation arrangements with members of Kin and Carta's management and has no intention of entering into such discussions before the Effective Date, but may have discussions and enter into such discussions with certain members of the Kin and Carta management team following the Effective Date.

Bidco has agreed that, conditional upon the Scheme becoming Effective, Kin and Carta may, as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, grant cash awards (the "Rollover Retention Awards") to Kin and Carta employees who hold awards granted under the Kin and Carta Long Term Incentive Plan 2020 in the Kin and Carta financial years ended 31 July 2022 and 31 July 2023 (the "FY22 and FY23 LTIP Awards") and who remain in employment with the Kin and Carta Group on the date of grant of such Rollover Retention Awards to compensate them for the portion of such FY22 and FY23 LTIP Awards which does not vest as a result of the Scheme.

The value of each participant's Rollover Retention Award will be equivalent to the number of Kin and Carta Shares which do not vest under the corresponding FY22 and FY23 LTIP Awards multiplied by the Offer Price. The Rollover Retention Awards will vest and be paid on the date that is six months following the Effective Date and will only be forfeited if the individual ceases employment with the Kin and Carta Group due to resignation or dismissal for reasons of misconduct or underperformance.

Further, in order to promote the retention of certain Kin and Carta employees (including the Kin and Carta executive directors) following the Effective Date, Bidco has agreed that Kin and Carta will grant to such employees cash bonuses subject to continued employment (the "Retention Arrangements").

Individual awards under the Retention Arrangements would be granted as soon as practicable following, and conditional upon, the Effective Date, at levels to be determined by the Kin and Carta Board; for the Kin and Carta executive directors this would not exceed the value of the shares which do not vest under their LTIP awards which are due to vest in November 2023.

Pensions

There are no plans to make any changes to any defined contribution scheme(s) operated by Kin and Carta.

Bidco recognises the importance of upholding Kin and Carta's legacy defined benefit pension scheme obligations and ensuring that its legacy pension scheme, the St Ives Pension Scheme (the "DB Scheme"), is appropriately funded in accordance with legal requirements (including statutory and regulatory requirements and those under the DB Scheme's governing documents). The DB Scheme has been closed to future accrual of benefits since 2008. Bidco has held initial discussions with the trustees of the DB Scheme in advance of this announcement with a view to agreeing steps that would ensure the trustees can be confident the DB Scheme will be well supported following the Acquisition.

Bidco does not intend to make any changes to the current employer pension contribution arrangements, the accrual of benefits for existing members or the rights of admission of new members.

Intentions in respect of Kin and Carta's B Corp status

Bidco recognises the importance that Kin and Carta places on being a certified B Corp, being the first publicly traded business on the London Stock Exchange to gain this accreditation. Bidco intends to support Kin and Carta maintaining its B Corp status following completion of the Acquisition.

Headquarters, locations, fixed assets and research and development

Bidco does not intend to change the locations of business or the headquarters of Kin and Carta beyond any ordinary course changes planned by the current management of Kin and Carta. Bidco does not intend to redeploy any fixed assets of Kin and Carta.

Kin and Carta does not currently have a research and development function and Bidco has no plans in this regard.

Trading facilities

Kin and Carta Shares are currently listed on the Official List and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange. As set out in paragraph 15, applications will be made for the cancellation of the listing of Kin and Carta Shares on the Official List and the cancellation of trading of Kin and Carta Shares on the London Stock Exchange, in each case with effect from or shortly after the Effective Date. It is further intended that dealings in Kin and Carta Shares will be suspended by 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day after the Sanction Hearing and that Kin and Carta will be re-registered as a private company as soon as practicable on or following the Effective Date.

Statements

None of the statements in this paragraph 4 are "post-offer undertakings" for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the Takeover Code.

5          Recommendation

The Kin and Carta Directors, who have been so advised by Citi as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing its advice, Citi has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Kin and Carta Directors. Citi is providing independent financial advice to the Kin and Carta Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.

Accordingly, the Kin and Carta Directors intend to recommend unanimously that Kin and Carta Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as the Kin and Carta Directors who hold Kin and Carta Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings totalling 1,243,316 Kin and Carta Shares in aggregate (representing approximately 0.7 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of Kin and Carta as at 17 October 2023, being the Business Day prior to this announcement). Further details of these undertakings, including the circumstances in which they cease to be binding, are set out in Appendix 3 to this announcement.

It is the intention of the Kin and Carta Directors who hold Kin and Carta Shares to, immediately following the end of the Closed Period to which Kin and Carta is currently subject (such Closed Period being expected to end following the publication of Kin and Carta's preliminary results announcement for the financial year ended 31 July 2023), undertake irrevocably (on substantially the same terms as the undertakings described above) to accept or procure (to the fullest extent the Kin and Carta Directors are able) the acceptance of a Takeover Offer in respect of their own holdings of Kin and Carta Shares (if Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer).

6          Background to and reasons for the recommendation

Kin and Carta has transformed from its heritage as a publishing company founded in 1964 in St Ives, to a pure-play DX consultancy delivering connected outcomes for clients through digital innovation, cloud modernisation, data enablement and digital optimisation.

The Kin and Carta Group has undergone significant change to unify a collection of acquired boutique consultancies into a coherent and focused organisation. In the last three years this change has included: the disposals of Edit, Relish, Incite, Pragma and Hive; the acquisitions of Forecast Data, Melon and Frakton, Loop, Datorium (which comprised of Octain, an artificial intelligence ("AI") platform that enhances Kin and Carta's data and AI services), Spire Digital and Cascade Data Labs; the implementation of a new go-to-market strategy; the evolution of the client base to focus on high quality customers; the expansion into new markets in Colombia, Bulgaria, Kosovo and North Macedonia through the creation of nearshore delivery centres in those jurisdictions and the strategic growth of its data and artificial intelligence capabilities and technology partner relationships.

Whilst the Kin and Carta Board is pleased with the progress made and believes Kin and Carta is strategically positioned to benefit from the DX market opportunity following its repositioning, it also recognises there are several challenges in achieving its standalone strategy.

Within the context of the DX competitor landscape, Kin and Carta is a relatively small-scale player. In order to compete successfully in the future, the Kin and Carta Board believes that Kin and Carta will need to expand its capabilities, resources and access to capital in a way which is challenging to achieve on a standalone basis. Additionally, as seen over the last 12 months, there continue to be significant market headwinds across the DX industry driven by hesitance among enterprise clients to commit to large programmes of work in the current macro environment, which impacts Kin and Carta's future new business growth. This in turn has resulted in significant volatility in the Company's financial performance, share price, and ability to execute on its strategy. Finally, whilst Kin and Carta has successfully grown its client base in recent years, it remains relatively concentrated such that any 'churn' within this revenue base can have a material impact on the profitability of the Kin and Carta Group, given the size of the business today.

Whilst the Kin and Carta Board continues to believe in the standalone prospects of Kin and Carta including the strength of its operational management team, the Kin and Carta Board acknowledges the benefits of Kin and Carta being a private company supported by Apax and the Apax Funds and benefitting from Apax's significant experience in supporting and growing global digital consulting businesses and its Operational Excellence Practice.

During its discussions with Apax, Kin and Carta was also engaged in discussions with several other parties. Following these discussions, the Kin and Carta Board concluded that this offer from Bidco provides shareholders with a compelling opportunity to realise their investment in cash today at a price that fairly represents both the future opportunities and risks inherent in the business and delivery of Kin and Carta's strategy.

In considering the terms of the Acquisition and determining whether the offer price reflects an appropriate valuation of Kin and Carta and its future prospects, as well as the above factors, the Kin and Carta Board considers that it represents an opportunity for Kin and Carta shareholders to realise their investment in Kin and Carta for cash at a fair and reasonable value, in particular given the low levels of liquidity in the trading volumes and the significant volatility in the price of Kin and Carta's Shares. The Kin and Carta Board believes the certain value represented by the Acquisition is a superior outcome for Kin and Carta Shareholders compared to continuing to pursue the independent strategy of Kin and Carta.

In particular, the offer price of 110 pence per Kin and Carta Share represents a premium of:

·    41 per cent. to the Closing Price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share on 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period);

·    41 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 78 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the three-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period); and

·    51 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price of 73 pence per Kin and Carta Share for the six-month period ended 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period).

As a certified B Corp, and in accordance with Kin and Carta's constitution and their statutory duties, the Kin and Carta Directors have taken into account the interests of all stakeholders in their evaluation of the Acquisition.

Accordingly, in addition to the financial terms of the Acquisition, the Kin and Carta Directors have also considered Apax's stated intentions for the business, management, employees, pension schemes and other stakeholders of Kin and Carta. The Kin and Carta Board is encouraged and reassured by Apax's confirmation that it attaches great importance to the skills, experience and commitment of the Kin and Carta management team and employees and that Apax is committed to fully support management in continuing to execute their strategic vision and plans.

The Kin and Carta Board is pleased to note that Apax intends to support Kin and Carta in maintaining its B Corp status following completion of the Acquisition.

Accordingly, following careful consideration of the above factors, the Kin and Carta Directors intend to recommend unanimously the Acquisition to Kin and Carta Shareholders as set out in paragraph 5 above.

7          Information relating to Bidco and Apax

Bidco

Bidco is a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales. Bidco is a newly-formed company indirectly owned by the Apax Funds. Bidco was formed for the purposes of the Acquisition and has not traded since its date of incorporation, nor has it entered into any obligations other than in connection with the Acquisition.

The current directors of Bidco are Gonzague de Lhoneux and Marc Santigosa. Further details in relation to Bidco will be contained in the Scheme Document.

Apax

Apax is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and ideas that transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of more than US$65 billion. Funds advised by Apax invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech, Services, Healthcare, and Internet/Consumer. The Apax Funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.

8          Information relating to Kin and Carta

Kin and Carta is a global DX consultancy, serving businesses across the healthcare, financial services, industrial and agriculture, retail and distribution, transportation and public sectors, among others.

Previously known as St Ives plc, Kin and Carta has evolved from a printing and marketing services group into a DX consultancy focused on delivering connected outcomes for clients through digital innovation, cloud modernisation, data enablement and digital optimisation, including:

·    helping the C-Suite better understand market shifts and how digital products and services need to evolve;

·    utilising emerging technologies to create new digital products and platforms; and

·    amplifying digital investments and experiences through modern marketing technology and data platforms.

Kin and Carta is a certified B Corp and became the first publicly traded business on the London Stock Exchange to earn this accreditation. B Corp certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits to supply chain practices and input materials.

Kin and Carta's headquarters are in London, with US headquarters in Chicago, and it has over 1,800 consultants, engineers and data scientists globally. 

9          Kin and Carta CURRENT TRADING

Kin and Carta has continued to trade in line with the Kin and Carta Board's expectations in the first two months of FY24. However, the Kin and Carta Board remains cautious on the outlook as market headwinds remain across the sector.

10        Financing of the Acquisition

The cash consideration payable to Kin and Carta Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition will be financed by an equity investment into Bidco from the Apax Funds. Bidco may raise debt financing in connection with the Acquisition following the date of this announcement.

BofA Securities, in its capacity as lead financial adviser to Apax and Bidco, is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to Bidco to satisfy in full the cash consideration payable to Kin and Carta Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition.

Further information on the financing of the Acquisition (including any debt financing, if applicable) will be set out in the Scheme Document.

11        Offer‑related arrangements

Confidentiality Agreement

On 20 June 2023, Apax and Kin and Carta entered into a confidentiality agreement in relation to the Acquisition (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), pursuant to which, amongst other things, Apax has undertaken to: (i) subject to certain exceptions, keep information relating to Kin and Carta and the Acquisition confidential and not to disclose it to third parties; and (ii) use such confidential information only in connection with the Acquisition. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force until the earlier of: (i) completion of the Acquisition, except to the extent that the confidential information relates to any part of the business of the Kin and Carta Group which is not the subject of the Acquisition, in relation to which the obligations will terminate on 20 June 2025; and (ii) 20 June 2025, except to the extent that the confidential information relates to the existence and contents of the discussions between Apax and Kin and Carta about the Acquisition in relation to which obligations will not terminate.

Under the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, Apax also agreed to certain standstill undertakings, all of which ceased to apply immediately following the making of this announcement.

The Confidentiality Agreement also contains undertakings from Apax and its affiliates that:

(i)         from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement and until the date 12 months after the date of the Confidentiality Agreement, Apax will not directly or indirectly solicit or entice away any person: (a) who was first introduced to Apax during the course of the Acquisition and who is employed or directly engaged by Kin and Carta in an executive or managerial capacity; and (b) with whom the Apax deal team first had contact in connection with its evaluation of the Acquisition, with a view to inducing that person to leave such employment or engagement; and

(ii)        from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement until the date 12 months after the date on which the discussions between the parties regarding the Acquisition are terminated, solicit, entice away, canvass or approach any person: (a) who is or was during such period a customer or supplier of Kin and Carta or any of its affiliates; and (b) about whom Kin and Carta or any of its related persons has made confidential information available to Apax or any of its related persons, for the purpose of offering to that person, or receiving from that person, goods or services of the same type as or similar to any goods or services supplied by or to Kin and Carta or any of its affiliates,

and in the case of each of (i) and (ii), subject to customary carve-outs.

Cooperation Agreement

Bidco and Kin and Carta entered into a cooperation agreement (the "Cooperation Agreement") on 18 October 2023, pursuant to which: (i) Bidco agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to secure the regulatory clearances and authorisations necessary to satisfy the Conditions; (ii) Bidco and Kin and Carta agreed to certain undertakings to co-operate and provide each other with information, assistance and access in relation to the filings, submissions and notifications to be made in relation to such regulatory clearances and authorisations; (iii) Bidco agreed to provide Kin and Carta with certain information for the purposes of the Scheme Document and to otherwise assist with the preparation of the Scheme Document; and (iv) Bidco and Kin and Carta agreed certain arrangements in respect of the Kin and Carta Share Plans and certain other employee incentive arrangements.

The Cooperation Agreement also records Bidco's and Kin and Carta's intention to implement the Acquisition by way of the Scheme, subject to the ability of Bidco to proceed by way of an Offer in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement.

The Cooperation Agreement will terminate in certain circumstances, including if: (i) the Acquisition is withdrawn or lapses prior to the Long Stop Date; (ii) prior to the Long Stop Date any Condition becomes incapable of satisfaction; (iii) the Kin and Carta Directors withdraw their recommendation of the Acquisition; (iv) a Competing Proposal (as defined in the Cooperation Agreement) is recommended by the Kin and Carta Directors or completes, becomes effective or is declared or becomes unconditional; (v) the Scheme does not become effective in accordance with its terms by the Long Stop Date; or (vi) otherwise as agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta.

Clean Team Agreement

On 3 October 2023, Kin and Carta and Apax entered into a clean team agreement (the "Clean Team Agreement"), the purpose of which is to ensure that certain materials relating to Kin and Carta are disclosed only to certain individuals or parties identified in the Clean Team Agreement, and that those identified individuals or parties comply with the terms of the Clean Team Agreement to keep that information confidential and secure, and ensure it is used only for the purposes of evaluating the Acquisition and undertaking relevant regulatory and antitrust analysis in respect of the Acquisition. The Clean Team Agreement will terminate on the earlier of: (i) the Effective Date; and (ii) 3 October 2025.

12        Disclosure of interests in Kin and Carta securities

Except for the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 5 above and Appendix 3, as at 17 October 2023 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement) neither Bidco, nor any of its directors, nor, so far as Bidco is aware, any person treated as acting in concert (within the meaning of the Takeover Code) with it for the purposes of the Acquisition: (i) had any interest in or right to subscribe for or had borrowed or lent any Kin and Carta Shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into Kin and Carta Shares; (ii) had any short positions in respect of relevant securities of Kin and Carta (whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take delivery; (iii) has borrowed or lent any relevant securities of Kin and Carta (including, for these purposes, any financial collateral arrangements of the kind referred to in Note 3 on Rule 4.6 of the Takeover Code) save for any borrowed shares which have been either on-lent or resold; or (iv) is a party to any dealing arrangement of the kind referred to in Note 11 on the definition of acting in concert in the Takeover Code in relation to Kin and Carta Shares or in relation to securities convertible or exchangeable into Kin and Carta Shares.

"Interests in securities" for these purposes arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether absolute or conditional, to changes in the price of securities (and a person who only has a short position in securities is not treated as interested in those securities).

It has not been practicable for Bidco to make enquiries of all of its concert parties in advance of the release of this announcement. Therefore, all relevant details in respect of Bidco's concert parties will be included in its Opening Position Disclosure in accordance with Rule 8.1(a) and Note 2(a)(i) on Rule 8 of the Takeover Code.

13        Kin and Carta Share Plans

Participants in the Kin and Carta Share Plans will be contacted regarding the effect of the Acquisition on their options and awards under the Kin and Carta Share Plans and appropriate proposals will be made to such participants which reflects their options and awards under the Kin and Carta Share Plans in due course. Details of the impact of the Scheme on each of the Kin and Carta Share Plans and such proposals will be set out in the Scheme Document.

14        Scheme process

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by means of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement of Kin and Carta under Part 26 of the 2006 Act (although Bidco reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement).

The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for Bidco to become the registered holder of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Kin and Carta.  In order to achieve this, the Kin and Carta Shares will be transferred to Bidco under the Scheme.  In consideration for this transfer, the Kin and Carta Shareholders will receive cash on the basis set out in paragraph 2 of this Announcement. The transfer to Bidco of the Kin and Carta Shares will result in Kin and Carta becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bidco.

The Acquisition is subject to the Conditions and certain further terms referred to in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to the full terms and conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document, and will only become Effective if, among other things, the following events occur on or before the Long Stop Date (or such later date as Bidco and Kin and Carta may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and, if required, the Court may approve):

·    a resolution to approve the Scheme is passed by a majority in number of Kin and Carta Shareholders present and voting (and entitled to vote) at the Court Meeting, either in person or by proxy, representing 75 per cent. or more in value of each class of the Scheme Shares held by those Kin and Carta Shareholders;

·    the Resolutions necessary to implement the Scheme are passed by the requisite majority of Kin and Carta Shareholders at the General Meeting;

·    following the Court Meeting and General Meeting and satisfaction and/or waiver (where applicable) of the other Conditions, the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court (without modification, or with modification on terms agreed by Bidco and Kin and Carta); and

·    following such sanction, an office copy of the Scheme Court Order is delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The Conditions in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Appendix 1 to this announcement provide that the Scheme will lapse (under the authority of Rule 13.5(b) of the Takeover Code) if:

·    the Court Meeting and the General Meeting are not held by the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta, and (if required) the Court may allow);

·    the Sanction Hearing to approve the Scheme is not held by the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Sanction Hearing to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta, and (if required) the Court may allow); or

·    the Scheme does not become Effective by 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date (or such later date as Bidco and Kin and Carta may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and (if required) the Court may allow).

If any Condition in paragraph 2 of Part A of Appendix 1 to this announcement is not capable of being satisfied by the date specified therein, Bidco shall make an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service as soon as practicable and, in any event, by not later than 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day following the date so specified, stating whether Bidco has invoked that Condition, (where applicable) waived that Condition or, with the agreement of Kin and Carta, specified a new date by which that Condition must be satisfied.

Once the necessary approvals from Kin and Carta Shareholders have been obtained and the other Conditions have been satisfied or (where applicable) waived and the Scheme has been approved by the Court, the Scheme will become Effective upon delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies. Subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions, the Scheme is expected to become Effective during the first quarter of 2024.

Upon the Scheme becoming Effective: (i) it will be binding on all Kin and Carta Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended or voted at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (and if they attended and voted, whether or not they voted in favour); and (ii) share certificates in respect of Kin and Carta Shares will cease to be valid and entitlements to Kin and Carta Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled. In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Takeover Code, the consideration for the transfer of the Scheme Shares to Bidco will be despatched no later than 14 days after the Effective Date.

Any Kin and Carta Shares issued before the Scheme Record Time will be subject to the terms of the Scheme. The resolution(s) to be proposed at the General Meeting will, amongst other matters, provide that the Articles be amended to incorporate provisions requiring any Kin and Carta Shares issued after the Scheme Record Time (other than to Bidco and/or their nominees) to be automatically transferred to Bidco on the same terms as the Acquisition (other than terms as to timings and formalities). The provisions of the Articles (as amended) will avoid any person (other than Bidco and its nominees) holding shares in the capital of Kin and Carta after the Effective Date.

Further details of the Scheme, including expected times and dates for each of the Court Meeting, the General Meeting and the Sanction Hearing, together with notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, will be set out in the Scheme Document. It is expected that the Scheme Document and the Forms of Proxy accompanying the Scheme Document will be published as soon as practicable and in any event within 28 days of this announcement (or such later date as Bidco and Kin and Carta may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and, if required, the Court may approve).

15        Delisting, and cancellation of trading and re‑registration

It is intended that the London Stock Exchange and the FCA will be requested respectively to cancel trading in Kin and Carta Shares on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities and the listing of the Kin and Carta Shares from the Official List on or shortly after the Effective Date.

It is expected that the last day of dealings in Kin and Carta Shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange is expected to be the Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Date and no transfers will be registered after 6.00 p.m. (London time) on that date.

On the Effective Date, share certificates in respect of Kin and Carta Shares shall cease to be valid and should be destroyed. In addition, entitlements to Kin and Carta Shares held within the CREST system shall be cancelled on the Effective Date.

It is intended that Kin and Carta will be re-registered as a private limited company and for this to take effect as soon as practicable on or following the Effective Date.

16        Documents

Copies of the following documents will be available promptly, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Kin and Carta's website  at www.kinandcarta.com and on Bidco's website at www.kelvinoffer.com and in any event by no later than noon on the Business Day following this announcement and will remain so available until the Effective Date:

·    this announcement;

·    the Confidentiality Agreement;

·    the Cooperation Agreement;

·    the Clean Team Agreement;

·    the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 5 above and summarised in Appendix 3 to this announcement;

·    the documents entered into for the financing of the Acquisition referred to in paragraph 10 above; and

·    the consent letters from the financial advisers to being named in this announcement.

Neither the content of the websites referred to in this announcement, nor any website accessible from hyperlinks, is incorporated into or forms part of this announcement.

17        General

Bidco reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the Panel and subject to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement) to implement the acquisition of the Kin and Carta Shares by way of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme. In such event, the Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, so far as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme.

Investors should be aware that Bidco may purchase Kin and Carta Shares otherwise than under the Scheme or any Offer, including pursuant to privately negotiated purchases.

The Acquisition will be on the terms and subject to the Conditions set out herein and in Appendix 1, and to be set out in the Scheme Document. The bases and sources for certain financial information contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix 2. Details of undertakings received by Bidco are set out in Appendix 3. Certain definitions and terms used in this announcement are set out in Appendix 4. The formal Scheme Document will be sent to shareholders of Kin and Carta within 28 days of this announcement (or such later date as Kin and Carta, Bidco and the Panel agree).

BofA Securities (as lead financial adviser to Apax and Bidco), Equiteq (as financial adviser to Apax and Bidco) and Citi (as financial adviser to Kin and Carta) have each given and not withdrawn their consent to the publication of this announcement with the inclusion herein of the references to their names in the form and context in which they appear.

This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities.

Enquiries

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is acting as legal adviser to Apax and Bidco.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is acting as legal adviser to Kin and Carta.

Further information

Merrill Lynch International ("BofA Securities"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and the PRA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Apax and Bidco and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Apax and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition. Neither BofA Securities, nor any of its affiliates, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of BofA Securities in connection with the Acquisition, this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Equiteq Corporate Finance Limited ("Equiteq"), an appointed representative of Frank Investments Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Apax and Bidco and for no one else in connection with this announcement and any other matters in connection with it. Equiteq will not be responsible to anyone other than Apax and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with any matters in connection with this announcement. Neither Equiteq, nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Equiteq in connection with this announcement or any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the UK by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as financial adviser for Kin and Carta and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citi nor for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement, or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Numis Securities Limited ("Deutsche Numis") which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Kin and Carta and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Numis nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Deutsche Numis is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. Neither Deutsche Numis nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Deutsche Numis in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, any transaction or arrangement referred to herein, or otherwise.

Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Kin and Carta and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Kin and Carta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Peel Hunt nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Peel Hunt is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. Neither Peel Hunt nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Peel Hunt in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, any transaction or arrangement referred to herein, or otherwise.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Kin and Carta in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.  The Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition.  Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent document or exempted document.

This announcement contains inside information in relation to Kin and Carta for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Kin and Carta is Lucy Maxwell, Company Secretary. Kin and Carta's Legal Entity Identifier is 213800B32KQM8CENCR16.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements.  Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of complying with English law, the Takeover Code, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

The availability of the Acquisition to Kin and Carta Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens.  Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions.  In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to vote their Kin and Carta Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Meetings, or to appoint another person as proxy to vote at the Meetings on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located.  Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do  so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.  Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction.  Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition.  If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.

Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be included in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

Notice to U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders

The Acquisition relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under the laws of England. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "U.S. Exchange Act").  Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of the U.S. tender offer and proxy solicitation rules.  The financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the UK and thus may not be comparable to financial information of U.S. companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S..

If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, which is to be made into the United States, such Offer will be made in compliance with the applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

It may be difficult for U.S. holders of Kin and Carta Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the U.S. federal laws, since Bidco and Kin and Carta are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction.  U.S. holders of Kin and Carta Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws.  Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgement.

In accordance with normal UK practice and, in the event of an Offer, pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, Apax or its nominees, or its brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Kin and Carta Shares outside of the U.S., other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn.  Also, in accordance with Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, BofA Securities will continue to act as exempt principal trader in Kin and Carta Shares on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in England, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com.

U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders also should be aware that the transaction contemplated herein may have tax consequences in the U.S. and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein.  U.S. Kin and Carta Shareholders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.

Forward looking statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and Kin and Carta contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements".  Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco and Kin and Carta about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco and Kin and Carta (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts.  Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "prepares", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "projects", "synergy", "strategy", "scheduled", "goal", "estimates", "forecasts", "cost-saving", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.  Forward looking statements may include statements relating to the following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Bidco's, Kin and Carta's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the Kin and Carta Group's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions and governmental regulation on Bidco's, Kin and Carta's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the Kin and Carta Group's business.

Although Bidco and Kin and Carta believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and Kin and Carta can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.  There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and schedule; changes in the global political, economic, business and competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces; changes in future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax rates; future business combinations or disposals; changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in the behaviour of other market participants, changes in the anticipated benefits from the Acquisition not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco and Kin and Carta operate, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets, changes in tax rates, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco and Kin and Carta operate and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements.  If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions proves incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected.  Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.  Neither Bidco nor Kin and Carta, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur.  You are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. 

Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Bidco nor Kin and Carta is under any obligation, and Bidco and Kin and Carta expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Opening Position Disclosure and Dealing Disclosure requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

Publication on a website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Kin and Carta's website at www.kinandcarta.com and on Bidco's website at www.kelvinoffer.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following this announcement.  For the avoidance of doubt, neither the content of these websites nor of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated by reference or forms part of this announcement.

No profit forecasts, estimates or quantified benefits statements

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Kin and Carta for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Kin and Carta.

Requesting hard copy documents

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Kin and Carta Shareholders, persons with information rights and participants in Kin and Carta Share Plans may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Kin and Carta's registrars, Link Asset Services, by (i) telephoning 0371 664 0321 between the hours of 9.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on a Business Day or (ii) submitting a written request to Link Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL. For persons who receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested.  Such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form.

Electronic communications

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Kin and Carta Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Kin and Carta may be provided to Bidco during the offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c) of the Takeover Code.

Rounding

Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments.  Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.

General

If the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, and such an Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are received, Bidco intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the 2006 Act so as to acquire compulsorily the remaining Kin and Carta Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted.

Investors should be aware that Bidco may purchase Kin and Carta Shares otherwise than under any Offer or the Scheme, including pursuant to privately negotiated purchases.

Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code

For the purposes of Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, Kin and Carta confirms that, as at 17 October 2023, it had in issue 177,931,360 ordinary shares of 10 pence each (excluding shares held in treasury).  The ISIN for the shares is GB0007689002.

Appendix 1
Conditions and Further Terms of the Transaction

Part A
Conditions to the Scheme and Acquisition

1.         The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming unconditional and becoming Effective, subject to the provisions of the Takeover Code, by no later than 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date or such later date (if any) as Bidco and Kin and Carta may agree, with the consent of the Panel, and the Court may allow.

Conditions of the Scheme

2.         The Scheme will be subject to the following Conditions:

2.1       (i) its approval by a majority in number representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of Scheme Shares held by Kin and Carta Shareholders who are on the register of members of Kin and Carta (or the relevant class or classes thereof) at the Voting Record Time, present and voting, whether in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting and at any separate class meeting which may be required (or any adjournment thereof), and (ii) such Court Meeting being held on or before the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta with the consent of the Panel (and that the Court may approve if required));

2.2       (i) the Resolutions being duly passed at the General Meeting (or any adjournment thereof); and (ii) such General Meeting being held on or before the 22^nd day after the expected date of the General Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta with the consent of the Panel (and that the Court may approve if required)); and

2.3       (i) the sanction of the Scheme by the Court (with or without modification (but subject to such modification being acceptable to Bidco and Kin and Carta)) and the delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies; and (ii) the Sanction Hearing being held on or before the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Sanction Hearing to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta with the consent of the Panel (and that the Court may approve)).

General Conditions

3.         In addition, subject as stated in Part B of this Appendix 1, Bidco and Kin and Carta have agreed that the Acquisition will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the necessary actions to make the Scheme Effective will not be taken unless the following Conditions (as amended if appropriate) have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived:

Antitrust

3.1       United States

All filings having been made and any applicable waiting period under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (as amended) and the regulations made there under relating to the Acquisition has expired, lapsed or been terminated;

3.2       North Macedonia

A merger filing having been made and the Commission for Protection of the Competition of the Republic of North Macedonia ("Macedonian Competition Commission"), having either: (i) confirmed that the Acquisition is not subject to the Macedonian Competition Commission's approval; or (ii) approved the Acquisition.

3.3       United Kingdom

The CMA:

3.3.1      following a decision to open a phase 1 merger review in relation to the Acquisition, deciding, on terms reasonably satisfactory to Bidco, not to refer the Acquisition nor any matter arising from or relating to the Acquisition to the chair of the CMA for the constitution of a group under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (a "Phase 2 CMA Reference")); or

3.3.2      as at the date on which all other Conditions (with the exception of Condition 2.3 of this Part A of Appendix 1) of the Acquisition are satisfied or waived:

(a)        not having requested submission of a Merger Notice or commenced a phase 1 merger review by indicating that the statutory review period in which the CMA has to decide whether to make a Phase 2 CMA Reference under section 34ZA of the Enterprise Act 2002 has begun; or

(b)        having responded to a briefing paper in writing that it has no further questions in relation to the Acquisition (and has not otherwise opened an inquiry, or indicated that it is still deciding whether to open an inquiry).

Regulatory

3.4       CFIUS

The receipt of any required foreign investment approvals by the competent authorities in the United States including the CFIUS (and, to the extent relevant, all necessary undertakings, commitments, actions, mitigation, conditions, modifications or any other similar remedies required by the competent authorities for completion of the Acquisition having been satisfied or complied with).

3.5       NSIA

Pursuant to the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 ("NSIA"), a notification having been accepted by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State either:

3.5.1      confirming that no further action will be taken in relation to the Acquisition; or

3.5.2      making a final order in relation to the Acquisition on terms satisfactory to Bidco that it is not prohibited (and to the extent relevant, any conditions or obligations contained in such an order necessary for completion of the Acquisition having been satisfied or complied with).

Other Third Party clearances

3.6       no central bank, government or governmental, quasi‑governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental, administrative, fiscal or investigative body, court, trade agency, association, institution, environmental body, employee representative body or any other body or person whatsoever in any jurisdiction (each a "Third Party") having given notice of a decision to take, institute, implement or threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference, or having required any action to be taken or otherwise having done anything or having enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation, decision, order or change to published practice and there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation, decision or order which would or might reasonably be expected to:

3.6.1      make the Acquisition, its implementation or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group by any member of the Wider Bidco Group void, illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction, or otherwise directly or indirectly prevent, prohibit, or restrain, restrict, impede, challenge, delay or otherwise interfere with the implementation of, or impose material additional conditions or obligations with respect to, the Acquisition or the acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group by any member of the Wider Bidco Group or require amendment of the Scheme;

3.6.2      require, prevent or materially delay the divestiture or materially alter the terms envisaged for such divestiture by any member of the Wider Bidco Group or by any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group of all or any part of their businesses, assets or property or impose any limitation on the ability of all or any of them to conduct their respective businesses (or any part thereof) or to own, control or manage any of their assets or properties (or any part thereof) to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.6.3      impose any material limitation on, or result in a material delay in, the ability of any member of the Wider Bidco Group directly or indirectly to acquire or hold or to exercise effectively all or any rights of ownership in respect of shares or other securities in Kin and Carta (or any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group) or on the ability of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any member of the Wider Bidco Group directly or indirectly to hold or exercise effectively any rights of ownership in respect of shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in, or to exercise management control over, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.6.4      other than pursuant to the implementation of the Scheme or, if applicable, sections 974 to 991 of the 2006 Act, require any member of the Wider Bidco Group or the Wider Kin and Carta Group to acquire or offer to acquire any shares, other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any asset owned by any third party which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or the Wider Bidco Group, in either case taken as a whole;

3.6.5      require, prevent or delay a divestiture by any member of the Wider Bidco Group of any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group;

3.6.6      result in any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it presently carries on business to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.6.7      impose any limitation on the ability of any member of the Wider Bidco Group or any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to conduct, integrate or co‑ordinate all or any part of their respective businesses with all or any part of the business of any other member of the Wider Bidco Group and/or the Wider Kin and Carta Group in a manner which is adverse and material to the Wider Bidco Group and/or the Wider Kin and Carta Group, in either case, taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition; or

3.6.8      except as Disclosed, otherwise affect the business, assets, value, profits, prospects or operational performance of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any member of the Wider Bidco Group in each case in a manner which is adverse to and material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or of the financing of the Acquisition,

and all applicable waiting and other time periods (including any extensions thereof) during which any such Third Party could decide to take, institute, implement or threaten any such action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference or take any other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of the Acquisition or proposed acquisition of any Kin and Carta Shares or otherwise intervene having expired, lapsed, or been terminated;

3.7       all necessary notifications, filings or applications having been made in connection with the Acquisition and all necessary waiting and other time periods (including any extensions thereof) under any applicable legislation or regulation of any jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated (as appropriate) and all statutory and regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with and all Authorisations which are deemed by Bidco to be necessary or reasonably considered to be appropriate in any jurisdiction for or in respect of the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Kin and Carta by any member of the Wider Bidco Group having been obtained on terms and in a form reasonably satisfactory to Bidco (acting reasonably) from all appropriate Third Parties or (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) from any person or bodies with whom any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or the Wider Bidco Group has entered into contractual arrangements in each case where the direct consequence of a failure to make such notification or filing or to wait for the expiry, lapse or termination of any such waiting or other time period or to comply with such obligation or obtain such Authorisation would be unlawful in any relevant jurisdiction or have a material adverse effect on the Wider Kin and Carta Group, any member of the Bidco Group or the ability of Bidco to implement the Scheme and all such Authorisations remaining in full force and effect at the time at which the Scheme becomes otherwise unconditional in all respects and there being no notice or intimation of an intention to revoke, suspend, restrict, modify or not to renew such Authorisations;

3.8       no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction, preliminary or permanent enjoinment, or other order issued and being in effect by a court or other Third Party which has the effect of making the Acquisition or any acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities or control or management of, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group by any member of the Wider Bidco Group, or the implementation of either of them, void, voidable, illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction, or otherwise directly or indirectly prohibiting, preventing, restraining, restricting, delaying or otherwise interfering with the completion or the approval of the Acquisition or any matter arising from the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group by any member of the Wider Bidco Group;

Absence of certain adverse circumstances

3.9       except as Disclosed, there being no provision of any arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise, lease or other instrument to which any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets is or may be bound, entitled or be subject or any event or circumstance which, as a consequence of the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition by any member of the Wider Bidco Group of any shares or other securities in Kin and Carta or because of a change in the control or management of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or otherwise, would or might reasonably be expected to result in, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or to the financing of the Acquisition:

3.9.1      any monies borrowed by, or any other indebtedness, actual or contingent of, or any grant available to, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group being or becoming repayable, or capable of being declared repayable, immediately or prior to its or their stated maturity date or repayment date, or the ability of any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being withdrawn or inhibited;

3.9.2      the rights, liabilities, obligations, interests or business of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any member of the Wider Bidco Group under any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, lease or instrument or the interests or business of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any member of the Wider Bidco Group in or with any other firm or company or body or person (or any agreement or arrangement relating to any such business or interests) being or likely to become terminated or adversely modified or affected or any onerous obligation or liability arising or any adverse action being taken or arising thereunder;

3.9.3      any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it presently carries on business to an extent which is material in the context of the Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.9.4      any assets or interests of, or any asset the use of which is enjoyed by, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group being or falling to be disposed of or charged or any right arising under which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged or could cease to be available to any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group otherwise than in the ordinary course of business;

3.9.5      other than in the ordinary course of business, the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or other security interest over the whole or any part of the business, property or assets of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any such mortgage, charge or other security interest (whenever created, arising or having arisen), becoming enforceable;

3.9.6      the business, assets, value, financial or trading position, profits, prospects or operational performance of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group being prejudiced or adversely affected; or

3.9.7      the creation or acceleration of any material liability (actual or contingent) by any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group other than trade creditors or other liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; or

3.9.8      any liability of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to make any severance, termination, bonus or other payment to any of its directors or other officers other than in the ordinary course of business;

No material transactions, claims or changes in the conduct of the business of the Kin and Carta Group

3.10     except as Disclosed, no member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group having since 31 July 2022:

3.10.1    save as between Kin and Carta and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries or between such wholly‑owned subsidiaries and save for the issue or transfer out of treasury of Kin and Carta Shares on the exercise of options or vesting of awards granted in the ordinary course under the Kin and Carta Share Plans, issued or agreed to issue or authorised or proposed the issue of additional shares of any class, or securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or convertible securities;

3.10.2    recommended, declared, paid or made or agreed to recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus issue, dividend or other distribution (whether payable in cash or otherwise) other than to Kin and Carta or one of its wholly‑owned subsidiaries;

3.10.3    save as between Kin and Carta and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries or between such wholly‑owned subsidiaries, merged with (by statutory merger or otherwise) or demerged from or acquired any body corporate, partnership or business or acquired or disposed of, or, other than in the ordinary course of business, transferred, mortgaged or charged or created any security interest over, any assets or any right, title or interest in any asset (including shares and trade investments) or authorised, proposed or announced any intention to do so, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.10.4    save as between Kin and Carta and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries or between such wholly‑owned subsidiaries, made, authorised, proposed or announced an intention to propose any change in its loan capital other than in the ordinary course of business and to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.10.5    issued, authorised or proposed the issue of, or made any change in or to the terms of, any debentures or (save in the ordinary course of business and save as between Kin and Carta and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries or between such wholly‑owned subsidiaries) incurred or increased any indebtedness or become subject to any contingent liability to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.6    entered into, varied, authorised or proposed entry into or variation of, or announced its intention to enter into or vary, any contract, transaction, arrangement or commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) (otherwise than in the ordinary course of business) which is of a long-term, unusual or onerous nature, or which involves or could reasonably be expected to involve an obligation of a nature or magnitude which is or is likely to be materially restrictive on the business of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to an extent which is or is reasonably likely to be material to the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.10.7    entered into or varied to a material extent the terms of, any contract, commitment, arrangement or any service agreement with any director or senior executive of the Wider Kin and Carta Group save for salary increases, bonuses or variations of terms in the ordinary course;

3.10.8    proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any share option scheme, incentive scheme, or other benefit relating to the employment or termination of employment of any employee of the Wider Kin and Carta Group which, taken as a whole, are material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.10.9    (i) (excluding the trustee of any pension scheme(s) established by a member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group other than Kin and Carta itself) made, agreed or consented to or procured any significant change to: (a) the terms of any existing trust deeds, rules, policy or other governing documents, or entered into or established any new trust deeds, rules, policy or other governing documents, constituting any pension scheme or other retirement or death benefit arrangement established for the directors, former directors, employees or former employees of any entity in the Wider Kin and Carta Group or their dependants and established by a member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group (a "Relevant Pension Plan"); (b) the basis on which benefits accrue, pensions which are payable or the persons entitled to accrue or be paid benefits, under any Relevant Pension Plan; (c) the basis on which the liabilities of any Relevant Pension Plan are funded or valued; (e) the basis or rate of employer contribution to a Relevant Pension Plan, in each case to the extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition and other than as required in accordance with applicable law; or (ii) enter into or propose to enter into one or more bulk annuity contracts in relation to any Relevant Pension Plan; or (iii) carried out any act: (a) which would or could reasonably be expected to lead to the commencement of the winding up of any Relevant Pension Plan; (b) which would or is reasonably likely to create a material debt owed by an employer to any Relevant Pension Plan; (c) which would or might accelerate any obligation on any employer to fund or pay additional contributions to any Relevant Pension Plan; or (d) which would, having regard to the published guidance of the Pensions Regulator give rise directly or indirectly to a liability in respect of a Relevant Pension Plan arising out of the operation of sections 38 and 38A of the Pensions Act 2004 in relation to a Relevant Pension Plan, in each case to the extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition and other than as required in accordance with applicable law;

3.10.10  changed the trustee or trustee directors or other fiduciary of any Relevant Pension Plan;

3.10.11  entered into, implemented or effected, or authorised, proposed or announced its intention to implement or effect, any joint venture, asset or profit sharing arrangement, partnership, composition, assignment, reconstruction, amalgamation, commitment, scheme or other transaction or arrangement (other than the Scheme) otherwise than in the ordinary course of business which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.12  purchased, redeemed or repaid any of its own shares or other securities or reduced or, save in respect of the matters mentioned in sub‑paragraph 3.10.1 above, made any other change to any part of its share capital to an extent which (other than in the case of Kin and Carta) is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.10.13  other than with respect to claims between Kin and Carta and its wholly owned subsidiaries (or between such subsidiaries), waived, compromised or settled any claim otherwise than in the ordinary course of business which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.14  made any alteration to its articles of association or other constitutional documents (in each case, other than in connection with the Scheme) which is material in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.15  (other than in respect of a member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group which is dormant and was solvent at the relevant time) taken or proposed any steps, corporate action or had any legal proceedings instituted or threatened against it in relation to the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, its winding‑up (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution, reorganisation or for the appointment of any administrator, receiver, manager, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues or any analogous proceedings in any jurisdiction or appointed any analogous person in any jurisdiction or had any such person appointed which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.16  been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to pay its debts or commenced negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling or restructuring any of its indebtedness, or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.10.17  entered into any contract, commitment, agreement or arrangement which would be materially restrictive on the business of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or the Wider Bidco Group and otherwise than in the ordinary course of business;

3.10.18  terminated or varied the terms of any agreement or arrangement between any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group and any other person in a manner which would or might be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole; or

3.10.19  taken (or agreed or proposed to take) any action which requires, or would require, the consent of the Panel or the approval of Kin and Carta Shareholders in general meeting in accordance with, or as contemplated by, Rule 21.1 of the Takeover Code;

No material adverse change

3.11     since 31 July 2022, and except as Disclosed, there having been:

3.11.1    no adverse change and no circumstance having arisen which would be expected to result in any adverse change or deterioration in the business, assets, value, financial or trading position, profits, prospects or operational performance of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to an extent which is material to the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or to the financing of the Acquisition;

3.11.2    no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or other legal proceedings including, without limitation, with regard to intellectual property rights used by the Wider Kin and Carta Group having been threatened, announced or instituted by or against or remaining outstanding against any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or to which any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group is or may become a party (whether as claimant or defendant or otherwise) which, in any such case, might be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole, and no enquiry, review, investigation or enforcement proceedings by, or complaint or reference to, any Third Party against or in respect of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group having been threatened, announced or instituted by or against, or remaining outstanding in respect of, any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group which, in any such case, might be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.11.3    no contingent or other liability having arisen, increased or become apparent (other than in the ordinary course of its business) which is reasonably likely to adversely affect the business, assets, financial or trading position, profits, prospects or operational performance of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group to an extent which is material to the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

3.11.4    no steps having been taken and no omissions having been made which are reasonably likely to result in the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification of any licence held by any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group, which is necessary for the proper carrying on of its business and the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification of which is material and reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole; and

3.11.5    no member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group having conducted its business in material breach of any applicable laws and regulations which in any case is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole.

3.12     since 31 July 2022, except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered:

3.12.1    that any financial, business or other information concerning the Wider Kin and Carta Group publicly announced or disclosed to any member of the Wider Bidco Group at any time prior to the date of this announcement by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or to any of their advisers is misleading, contains a misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a fact necessary to make that information not misleading and which was not subsequently corrected before the date of this announcement by disclosure either publicly or otherwise to Bidco or its professional advisers and which is, in any case, material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;

3.12.2    that any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group is subject to any liability, contingent or otherwise and which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole; or

3.12.3    any information which affects the import of any information disclosed to Bidco at any time prior to the date of this announcement by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

Environmental liabilities

3.13     except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered that, in relation to any release, emission, accumulation, discharge, disposal or other similar circumstance which has impaired or is likely to impair the environment (including property) or harmed or is likely to harm the health of humans, animals or other living organisms or eco‑systems, no past or present member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group, in a manner or to an extent which is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group, (i) having committed any violation of any applicable laws, statutes, regulations, Authorisations, notices or other requirements of any Third Party giving rise to a material liability; and/or (ii) having incurred any material liability (whether actual or contingent) to any Third Party; and/or (iii) being likely to incur any material liability (whether actual or contingent), or being required, to make good, remediate, repair, re‑instate or clean up the environment (including any property) in each case of (i), (ii) or (iii) which such liability or requirement would be material to the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole;

Intellectual property

3.14     except as Disclosed, no circumstance having arisen or event having occurred in relation to any intellectual property owned or used by any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group which would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole or is otherwise material in the context of the Acquisition;

Anti‑corruption and sanctions

3.15     except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered that (to an extent that is material in the context of the Wider Kin and Carta Group taken as a whole):

3.15.1    any past or present member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group or any person that performs or has performed services for or on behalf of any such company is or has at any time engaged in any activity, practice or conduct (or omitted to take any action) in contravention of the UK Bribery Act 2010, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other applicable anti‑corruption legislation;

3.15.2    any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group is ineligible to be awarded any contract or business under section 23 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 or section 26 of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2006;

3.15.3    any past or present member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group has engaged in any activity or business with, or made any investments in, or made any payments to any government, entity or individual covered by any of the economic sanctions administered by the United Nations or the European Union (or any of their respective member states) or the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control or any other governmental or supranational body or authority in any jurisdiction; or

3.15.4    a member of the Kin and Carta Group has engaged in a transaction which would cause the Bidco Group to be in breach of any law or regulation on completion of the Acquisition, including the economic sanctions administered by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control or HM Treasury & Customs or any government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of the United Nations, United States or the European Union or any of its member states.

No criminal property

3.16     except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered that any asset of any member of the Wider Kin and Carta Group constitutes criminal property as defined by section 340(3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (but disregarding paragraph (b) of that definition).

Part B
Further terms of the Acquisition

1.         Subject to the requirements of the Panel, Bidco reserves the right in its sole discretion to waive, in whole or in part, all or any of the Conditions set out in Part A of Appendix 1, except Conditions 1, 2.1(i), 2.2(i) and 2.3(i) which cannot be waived. If any of Conditions 2.1(ii), 2.2(ii) or 2.3(ii) is not satisfied by the relevant deadline specified in the relevant Condition, Bidco shall make an announcement by 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day following such deadline confirming whether it has invoked the relevant Condition, waived the relevant deadlines or agreed with Kin and Carta to extend the relevant deadline.

2.         Bidco shall be under no obligation to waive (if capable of waiver), to determine to be or remain satisfied or to treat as fulfilled any of the Conditions in Part A of Appendix 1 above that are capable of waiver by a date earlier than the latest date for the fulfilment of that Condition notwithstanding that the other Conditions of the Acquisition may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.

3.         Under Rule 13.5(a) of the Takeover Code and subject to paragraph 4, Bidco may only invoke a Condition so as to cause the Acquisition not to proceed, to lapse or to be withdrawn with the consent of the Panel. The Panel will normally only give its consent if the circumstances which give rise to the right to invoke the Condition are of material significance to Bidco in the context of the Acquisition. This will be judged by reference to the facts of each case at the time that the relevant circumstances arise.

4.         Condition 1 (subject to Rule 12 of the Code), Conditions 2.1(i), 2.2(i) and 2.3(i) in Part A of Appendix 1 above, and, if applicable, any acceptance condition if the Acquisition is implemented by means of an Offer, are not subject to Rule 13.5(a) of the Code.

5.         Any Condition that is subject to Rule 13.5(a) of the Code may be waived by Bidco.

6.         If the Panel requires Bidco to make an offer or offers for Kin and Carta Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code, Bidco may make such alterations to the Conditions as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.

7.         Bidco reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme, subject to the Panel's consent and (while the Cooperation Agreement is continuing) to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement. In such event, such Offer will be implemented on the same terms and conditions so far as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme (subject to appropriate amendments, including an acceptance condition set at 90 per cent. of the Kin and Carta Shares (or such other percentage as Bidco may decide after, to the extent necessary, consultation with the Panel, being in any case more than 50 per cent. of the Kin and Carta Shares). If the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, and such Offer becomes or is declared unconditional and sufficient acceptances are received in respect of such Offer, Bidco intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the 2006 Act so as to acquire compulsorily the remaining Kin and Carta Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted.

8.         The Acquisition will be subject, inter alia, to the Conditions and certain further terms which are set out in this Appendix 1 and to the full terms which will be set out in the Scheme Document and such further terms as may be required to comply with the provisions of the Listing Rules, the provisions of the Takeover Code and the applicable requirements of the Panel and the London Stock Exchange.

9.         Kin and Carta Shares will be acquired by Bidco fully paid and free from all liens, charges, encumbrances and other third party rights of any nature whatsoever and together with all rights attaching to them as at the Effective Date, including the right to receive and retain all dividends and distributions (if any) declared, made or paid after the Acquisition becomes Effective.

10.       If, on or after the date of this announcement and before the Effective Date, any dividend, distribution and/or other return of capital or value is announced, declared, made or paid in respect of the Kin and Carta Shares, Bidco reserves the right to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition for the Kin and Carta Shares by the aggregate amount of all or part of any such dividend, distribution and/or other return of capital or value, in which case any reference in this announcement to the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition will be deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. In such circumstances, Kin and Carta Shareholders would be entitled to retain any such dividend, distribution and/or return of capital or value. Any exercise by Bidco of its rights referred to in this paragraph 10 shall be the subject of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the Acquisition.

11.       The availability of the Acquisition to persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws or regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.

12.       The Scheme will be governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court, to the Conditions set out above and full terms to be set out in the Scheme Document. The Acquisition will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Takeover Code, the Panel, the London Stock Exchange, the FCA, the Listing Rules and the Registrar of Companies.

13.       Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate Condition and shall not be limited by reference to any other Condition.

Appendix 2
Sources and Bases of Information

In this announcement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the following sources and bases have been used.

1.         The fully diluted issued ordinary share capital of 184,764,614 Kin and Carta Shares is based on:

1.1       177,931,360 Kin and Carta Shares in issue as at 17 October 2023 (being the latest practicable date before this announcement); plus

1.2       6,833,254 Kin and Carta Shares which may be issued on or after the date of this announcement pursuant to the Kin and Carta Share Plans and share awards as at 17 October 2023 (being the latest practicable date before this announcement).

2.         A value of approximately £203 million for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Kin and Carta is based on:

2.1       an offer price of 110 pence per Kin and Carta Share; and

2.2       Kin and Carta's fully diluted issued ordinary share capital of 184,764,614 Kin and Carta Shares, as set out in paragraph 1 above.

3.         Unless otherwise stated, the financial information of Kin and Carta is extracted (without material adjustment) from the annual report and audited accounts of the Kin and Carta Group for the 12 months ended 31 July 2022 and the unaudited, consolidated financial statements of Kin and Carta for the six months ended 31 January 2023.

4.         The volume-weighted average prices have been derived from Bloomberg data and have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

5.         Certain figures included in this announcement have been subject to rounding adjustments.

Appendix 3
Details of Irrevocable Undertakings

1.         Directors

The following Kin and Carta Directors have given irrevocable undertakings to vote (or procure the voting) in favour of the resolutions (including the Scheme) relating to the Acquisition at the Meetings (or if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer,  for so long as Kin and Carta remains in a Closed Period, confirmed their intention to accept the Offer and vote in favour of any resolutions proposed by Kin and Carta with respect to the implementation of the Offer) in respect of their own beneficial holdings (or those Kin and Carta Shares over which they have control) of Kin and Carta Shares:

            *Maria Gordian does not hold any Kin and Carta Shares.

These irrevocable undertakings also extend to any Kin and Carta Shares acquired by the directors of Kin and Carta as a result of the vesting of awards or the exercise of options under the Kin and Carta Share Plans.

The irrevocable undertakings referred to in this paragraph 1 cease to be binding on the earlier of the following occurrences: (i) this announcement not having been released by 10.a.m. (London time) on the date that is one Business Day from the date of the undertaking (or such later date as Bidco and Kin and Carta may agree); (ii) the Scheme Document is not sent to Kin and Carta Shareholders within 28 days (or such later period as the Panel may agree) after the date of this announcement; (iii) Bidco announces, with the consent of the Panel, that it does not intend to make or proceed with the Acquisition and no new, revised or replacement offer or scheme is announced at the same time; (iv) the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn in accordance with its terms and Bidco publicly confirms that it does not intend to proceed with the Acquisition or to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer or otherwise; (v) the Scheme has not become Effective by 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date (or such other time and date as agreed between Bidco and Kin and Carta, with the approval of the Court and/or the Panel, if required (other than in circumstances where Bidco has, prior to such date, elected to exercise its right to proceed by way of an Offer and announced the same in accordance with the requirements of Paragraph 8 of Appendix 7 to the Takeover Code, and such Offer has not lapsed or been withdrawn)); or (vi) the date on which any competing offer for the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Kin and Carta is declared wholly unconditional or, if proceeding by way of a scheme of arrangement, becomes Effective.

Appendix 4
Definitions

The following definitions apply throughout this document unless the context otherwise requires:

References to an enactment include references to that enactment as amended, replaced, consolidated or re-enacted by or under any other enactment before or after the date of this announcement.

All references to "pounds", "pounds Sterling", "Sterling", "GBP", "£", "pence", "penny" and "p" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

All times referred to are London time unless otherwise stated.

A reference to "includes" shall mean "includes without limitation", and references to "including" and any other similar term shall be construed accordingly.