Member Info for alex1621

In 2021 the Times ran an article about two executives from the above companies meeting in a car park. It was a video leaked to The Times. Peter Cowgill suggested it was recorded by a “key competitor” but he never named them.

At the time the Competition and Markets Authority had put a stop to the takeover of Footasylum by JD Sports. I believe both companies were fined.

I wonder who the “key competitor” was?

“… can’t comment at this stage”.

Michael Murray, CEO, Frasers

Unusual thing to say as a flat denial would have been the answer if you had no involvement in the corporate espionage incident.

It hasn’t tanked because DLG offers enormous cost savings and synergies. Aviva can do more with DLG as it can do itself as a stand alone company. I believe the CEO would have succeeded if he had been given time, but combining with Aviva’s business gives more. I hold DLG and I will hold Aviva shares for that reason. There are not many win win scenarios in M&A but this one might be one.

To Siddeek, add Denby69, Mr LOL himself … who informed everyone it was going to the 150’s.

I never understand why people do that. Many have no interest in the share, short or long. Few ever come back and say they got it wrong.

I understand why you think that, but Mike Lennon’s association with Kroll would lead me to think it is them. Keeping track for the same reasons - who are they meeting with?

I did laugh at Lyttle claiming that is why he left? I suspect he left because the new strategy meant his get rich quick incentive package would be scrapped.

The proposal looks very positive for both sets of shareholders. Aviva pay a very nice dividend, and the cost savings/synergies are quite compelling.

Wouldn’t the open short positions have to fall dramatically for that to happen? No sign of that.

Go to the boohoodeservesbetter website, locate Georgesons email address and register your interest. They might send you an invite, with a link to register. Try and see, but you might be too late.

Perhaps 260p was the level required to get a seat at the negotiation table? The original Ageas 237p just wasn’t enough. It strikes me that Goldman Sachs will know this given their involvement in the DLG defence with Ageas.

Not sure what the DLG response will be to this?

If you calculate Ageas last offer based on their current share price today - their final offer was worth 257p per share, so just 1.5% below this second offer from Aviva.

Perhaps they will look again as their paper is now worth more.

DLG has been run badly for years, so there is enormous scope to streamline the business and make enormous cost savings. So left alone I suspect Winslow would turn it around and achieve his targets. But the opportunity for Aviva is greater - tremendous opportunities for synergies with the combined business. And at the end of that market share leaders in home and car insurance. The deal makes sense, and that is why I believe a second offer is incoming.

LOL - used by those who get a boner over the stock market losses of strangers? Sad cases more to be pitied than scolded.

This is a crackdown on de minimis tax advantages. The next shoe to drop will be tariffs on Chinese goods. At some point the Shein train will come to a halt.

BFD - as the main vocal opponent of MA on here you might want to brush up on your counter surveillance techniques before you embark on your weekly shop at Aldi … if you see the same face more than once you know they are onto you.

Maybe they have used Kroll Associate snoops to keep an eye on where they are going and who they are talking to? These things do happen but not usually for companies this small. Can’t think why they would other than to see if they were in talks with anyone about selling brands or assets. Weird.

The FT reporting that DLG institutional shareholders support the company's decision to reject the Aviva offer. The feeling is that the Board should only engage if the offer is increased. Berenberg believe Aviva has "ample capacity" to increase its bid, forecasting an improved proposal to 275p.

So there is a deal to be done at the right price.

Yes. I think Aviva could do a lot with DLG. It might be one of those rare “win win” scenarios.

Mike Lennon worked (or works) for Kroll Associates, and this is the type of activities that one of their division's gets hired for, private investigations.

I’m not talking about the board directors, most of whom deserve to be sent packing. I’m talking about those with unique operational skills in online fashion retailing. There are two Kamani sons running brands and Carol Kane and Dan Finley also have extensive hands on experience. I don’t know how good Mahmud is on the nuts and bolts of online retailing but I suspect when he puts his mind to it he’s actually very good. You don’t build a company like this from scratch if you don’t know what you are doing. My issue is that I don’t know who the people are below them, or how capable they are? If there is a big gap in skill set then chaos ensues. That won’t bother Ashley, but it should concern retail shareholders. And that is why I’d prefer one Frasers representation on the Board.

Frasers having a member on the Board is a positive because by representing Ashley they also help retail investors. Stopping the bonus package being one such move.

The risk of Ashley as CEO is that a layer of senior and very experienced executives simply walk. Their screw ups have been many in recent years but they do possess unique skills that are difficult to replace. The two Mike’s don’t possess that skill set. Even if they hired someone who does it would take considerable time to get up to speed on the business. That’s the type of chaos that can lead a business into Administration. Ashley will do well in that situation, and Lennon will be there to help him buy up assets cheap. I don’t think it is good to have 100% Kamani or 100% Ashley - and that would be my worry about this move to appoint Ashley as CEO. Do not underestimate the skills of those who would walk away. And after that the temptation to act in his own interest may take over for Ashley.