Member Info for mt11

@Okehurst1 - Here's what they said:

"Whilst we continue to invest in the Youth Brands in the short term as part of their turnaround, we are raising our medium term guidance for Debenhams to EBITDA margins of c.20%. Medium term targets for Karen Millen and the Youth Brands remain unchanged, with double digit EBITDA margins for Karen Millen and 6-8% EBITDA margins for the Youth Brands."

and

"We see a clear runway to Debenhams becoming a business in the medium term with a £multi-billion GMV and an EBITDA margin on net sales of c.20%"

The biggest risk is whether they have enough working capital. In theory they have enough very rich people who could lend bridge loan them the funds but it's a case of them asking and whether they think they can get a better deal by letting it fall apart.

The board are in a closed period so they won't be able to participate until they let the cat out the bag. Unless the crash it but then they will end up in legal battles with Mike Ashley and other shareholders for years to come. That would become a very expensive distraction.

Mike Ashley could pick up shares to keep his percentage unless they can waive pre-emption rights and avoid a challenge.

...this has been fun. Been a while since I've dusted off the cobwebs and had a spirited debate with strangers online. Hope it all works out to be best of all retail investors, and employees. And if the board do happen to shaft us then they get the comeuppance they so rightfully deserve, whatever that may be.

@southcoastbather can't hire unless you have the funds or reasonably expect to be able to pay the salary.

Don't forget that Debenhams Group is still hiring for more staff as well, with job postings as recent as a week ago.

@King5hott - When did I become the biggest moron on LSE?

@No1plasterer - It's a falling knife and will be until the company reassures the market... proceed with caution.

@Kachrafilter - Debenhams might have replied privately and directly to Frasers for all we know.

@Spideystreet - I've already written stern, factual letters to multiple people connected to this company. No reply. I have tried calling them, no one answers, it just rings. I think they have muted the line.

@bon_scott - bingo. I feel like I'm having 10 conversations on here haha

@Hexam - I can't imagine Dan (Oxford graduate and successful at JD Sports) is a puppet. He's in his 40s and will be hoping for a long career, especially now he's made it to CEO for what was (and still I guess is) a big company in the UK based on revenue. Although buddy has seen the share price collapse under his watch...

Boohoo's board had legitimate concerns about Ashley becoming CEO due to potential conflicts of interest, given his role as a major shareholder in Frasers Group and Frasers Group's stake in Boohoo's competitor, ASOS. They stated that "appropriate governance" would be required to protect the company's commercial position and the interests of other shareholders if Ashley were to be appointed. I didn't see Mike Ashley offering to help in this. It's all a moot point now other than it's best not to point Mike Ashley as more saintly than he is.

@Bfdinvestor - Let's hope the current administration don't tank the company.

Dan and the Morons have a lot to answer for. LOL!

Emma still has responsibilities as Company Secretary though so she's not entirely blameless.

@southcoastbather - Frasers failed to get other major shareholders on board. Frasers have been publicly adversarial. Even when Mike Ashley wanted to be CEO he refused to put his shares in competing businesses in a blind-trust. He could have done that and let his son-in-law run Frasers Group.

@Okehurst1 - The biggest lever they can pull is getting a favourable refinancing deal over the line.

Recording it without her permission would make it inadmissible. If they happen to read this forum then I suspect they will stop replying anyhow.

I assure you we (the retail investors) could not boot the vice-chair.

You would need the help of large investors. We can try calling a EGM with their backing if you want(?).

who knows how they voted or if they could and even did. my point is it was like ******* in the ocean.