Member Info for Pinguser5

Hi Scott,
I emailed Colin yesterday asking exactly the same question & I haven't had an answer also. Should this be the case in a further weeks time then I'll be sending another one with a heavier tone. This is what really disappoints about this share & why I would like to sell up. Shareholders pay Colin to run the company and I feel that we are being kept in the dark over a long list of issues.

I am of the opinion that Colin is under great pressure in any case & the business could be looking to replace him as he does not appear to bring any value to the table. I fail to see how he can't purchase shares to at least show some faith.

All that in the RNS is all well and good & the BOD have been working on this since January. I'd like to know what else they've been working on. The court process will take months so I'd like to see a further update on what progress is being made in other areas.
As already stated by previous poster, the BOD could give the sp a boost by purchasing some themselves!!!

While I appreciate that Colin may be working on something commercially sensitive, as a shareholder i find these long windows of silence very disconcerting. Usually this pattern is followed by her more negative news or delay. I appreciate that Slovenia may be out of his hands but I would welcome an update to say what progress has been made in any area over the last few months? I don't think shareholders are being kept informed at all. And I'll suggest again that the BOD but some shares at least to show some intent.

As I reflect on another memorable week I ask the following: "what value does Colin bring to the running of AST? What % value against his expense has he delivered? Why can't we replace an Accountant on a vastly over inflated salary, with an eager professional who is keen to reward long suffering shareholders & invest in the business to demonstrate confidence in his/ her ability???" I've said it in the past and once again - in my eyes currently the BOD is seen to be doing nothing.

Erm...how about judging Colin on the performance of the share price!!!We PI's own the company. He's talked about delivering shareholder value - that why I invested! If it's not working then move on - he's delivered nothing over the last few years despite having all of the information at his disposal. I know it's a difficult job but his performance profit and value wise is abysmal!!

I have to agree. I thought A ST were speaking to lawyers at the beginning of the year. Yet still no news or plan of action. Once this latest debacle is over I would like to see Colin step aside. Why on earth the BOD don't purchase any shares to signal any confidence? How they can expect anybody else to have any belief is beyond me?

That's great. But if Ascent is such a compelling investment then why aren't the BOD 's investing??? This would give others confidence. At the moment it's just a guessing game!!

I know all of the interviews are set up to give the CEO's an easy time and to report. However, why nobody will challenge Colin on his personal investment beggars belief. He has the salary but fails to recognise how his actions influence shareholders. Good lesson for.me though - never back a BOD who don't back themselves!

My sentiments also but I wouldn't take it as read that CH will walk into another job. My investment has been based on following his comments and actions. One can dress it up all you like but a prospective employer will recognise that such a dramatic fall in share price is not accidental. E.g. The BOD could register their intentions by buying shares but actions speak volumes over the last year or so. I don't think anyone will be banging the door down to employ Colin.

Blimey!! There's a first time for everything! Duster actually speaking sense for a change!

Duster, as you like to spend a considerable amount of time posting on here I suggest that you use your time constructively.

What about compiling a polite email to Colin asking if it is legal for the board to purchase shares at this time? You will find that if you are polite then maybe Colin will actually answer your query.

Your posts to date on this board have obviously taken a considerable amount of time but have achieved very little.

All the best.

Ping

I think Mr Leben will be gone from his position if he doesn't back down. I think it is up to us all now to sit back and wait (yes I know, a little longer!). This will start to play out as I think public opinion pressure will start to build before it becomes overwhelming!

Fair play to Colin. I emailed him regarding Ast promoting their plight in the UK and Slovenian press and he came back to me with a detailed response within 20 minutes. He pointed out that yesterday's RNS had been reported in 'Finance' a Slovenian daily and I think TPT may have already documented this.

I'm my opinion i feel Mr Leben will eventually fold under the pressure of the arguments he is trying to win, which mainly contradict existing laws and departments.

I am going to take a back seat now and watch how this plays out.

All the best

Ping.

I think now is the time that Sophie Honey should really be trying to earn her corn. No statement whatsoever from her. I was sceptical of her involvement anyway & thought she was looking for a photo opportunity to promote herself.

Just what is her job role at the moment? Her dept has very little influence and she needs to use some strong words to either get this situation back on track of uncover the dirty tricks going on in the background!

Ping

I wasn't looking for a reply as I had made an assumption. My earlier comment to you was an observation nothing more.

Duster....

As I've remarked before.

Your parents must be very proud of you!

My last rant...as it's not good for my health!!

I accept that there is blame on both sides and probably things going on in the background. However, it is staggering how amateurish the BOD appear to be with their actions and communication.

Currently though on the info we have..''all parties are seen to be doing nothing!''

I would also like clarification on whether CH still part time? From what we are lead to believe he was working most of last week. I am also not comfortable in that he appears to be able to seek alternative employment?

Us pi's are the people finding all of this and too much is being left undisclosed at the moment!

Unfortunately I do not think that there is any alternative to Colin. Already we are back in the same position and the silence will probably continue for a considerable amount of time!

Once again, my patience with CH is wearing thin. The authorities are jumping around looking at possible corruption. Not many of them seem to be too concerned about the length of time the process has taken.

During the lengthy delay, the only considerable movement i have seen is when investors took matters into their own hands by seeking info from ARSO as the BOD were failing to do this. Colin seems to overlook this and suggests the matter was organised within.

The only active communication we have had since has been when the BOD wanted support to take control of the finances again. Now this has been achieved we hear nothing.

I am an investor, part owner of the business and I am not being updated at all. Colin you are being very unfair to investors - we need to have some idea of what is being done to protect our investment.

AIMHO

Ping

Hi Ray,
As a long term holder I've stayed away from this BB for a little while as clearly a number of posters obviously have their own agenda. I fully agree with your comments. For a long time CH has made no acknowledgement of the pain genuine long term holders have gone through despite backing the BOD with votes and share placing support. Some people have pensions linked to the performance of this share although I accept it is a risk. For a long time I have felt Colin is a long way out of his depth for the following:

Appearing nervous during interviews.
His lack of personal investment.
His bosses decision to employ him in his role as Chief Exec - he is after all nothing more than an Accountant not an O & G expert.
Seeing a press article and posting his intention to follow a legal route. Since then, no action taken.
And finally, at the moment in my eyes he is seen to be doing nothing to get the current situation resolved.
I also feel Sophie Honey is very weak in her position - I accept that there are political issues behind the scenes, but she tends to flit around the issues to suit herself.

Hopefully this never ending nightmare will be over soon. However, I have no faith in CH to sort it himself!

Ping