15 Sep 2021 07:00
Electra Private Equity PLC
Confirmation of Capital Markets Day for Unbound Group PLC
15 September 2021
Further to the announcement on 17 August 2021, Electra Private Equity PLC ('Electra') confirms that its Capital Markets Day focused on Unbound Group ('Unbound Group') will be held later today, Wednesday, 15 September 2021.
Subject to the prior demerger of its hospitality brands under Hostmore, expected early in the fourth quarter, the Board intends to seek shareholder approval to rename Electra as Unbound Group PLC and to move its listing to AIM late this calendar year.
Unbound Group will sell a range of products and brands focused on the 55+ demographic. Built on the foundation of Electra's portfolio company Hotter Shoes, Unbound Group will provide a broader range of products and services to support and enhance the active lifestyles and wellbeing of its targeted customer community, through digital partnership with other businesses specialising in relevant areas.
The Capital Markets Day, which will be a virtual event from 9:30am to 11:30am, will focus on Unbound Group's strategy, business model, performance and outlook, with presentations from Hotter's, and on formation, Unbound Group's Chief Executive Officer, Ian Watson, and Chief Finance Officer, Dan Lampard. Electra Chairman, Neil Johnson, and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Gavin Manson, will be available for questions in relation to the implementation of Electra's strategy.
Unbound Group PLC Investment Themes
The investment themes which will be highlighted at the Capital Markets Day are:
· Online e-commerce platform, based on the foundations of Hotter as a trusted brand, cloud based digital infrastructure, and strong customer personalisation through data insight
· Multi award-winning leadership team in place with specialist skills in digital innovation and business transformation
· The core Hotter brand has an attractive financial profile focused on cash generation and profitable growth
· Cultural and demographic shifts provide a robust and supportive market backdrop for the development of an e-commerce proposition targeting the over 55 demographic
· Strong, existing base for future growth as a digitally led, omni-channel proposition, already serving c. 30% of the target demographic
· New partnerships being put in place to sell other products and services to 55+ demographic, with a focus on active lifestyles, health and wellbeing, allowing consumers to do more of what they love
· Medium term ambition to generate over 50% of EBIT from non Hotter products and services
Joining Details
Please click here to register
The Capital Markets Day materials will be available on the Investor Relations section of Electra's website www.electraequity.com and on the new Unbound Group website at www.unboundgroupplc.com from 8am today.
ENDS
ENQUIRIES
Electra Private Equity PLC
Gavin Manson, Chief Financial and Operating Officer
020 3874 8300
Vico Partners
John Sunnucks, Iain Rawlinson, Sofia Newitt
020 3957 5045
NOTES TO EDITORS
Electra Private Equity PLC
Electra is a private equity investment trust which has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1976. Electra's investment objective is to follow a realisation strategy, which aims to crystallise value for shareholders, through balancing the timing of returning cash to shareholders with maximisation of value. Since 1st October 2016, Electra has distributed over £2 billion to shareholders through ordinary dividends, special dividends and share buybacks.
Unbound Group PLC
Unbound Group PLC will be the parent company for a range of brands focused on the 55+ demographic. Initially focused on Hotter Shoes, Unbound Group will provide a broader range of products and services to support and enhance the active lifestyles and wellbeing of its targeted customer community. This online, digitally led platform will be based on the foundations of Hotter as a trusted brand, cloud based digital infrastructure, and strong customer personalisation through data insight. Unbound Group's expanded offering beyond Hotter footwear will feature apparel and wellness products and services, alongside third-party complementary brands.
Hotter Shoes
Hotter Shoes has been transformed from a retail to a multi-channel business with a strong and growing digital focus over the last 2 years, and is now a fast-growing, profitable and cash-generative e-commerce focused footwear brand. Hotter provides footwear with uncompromising focus on comfort and fit through the use of differentiating technology, to a targeted demographic that values its brand and products. Hotter's direct-to-consumer channels now reach 29% of the female population in the UK over the age of 55, providing them with footwear that allows them to do more of what they love. Cultural and demographic shifts now provide an opportunity to further monetise the existing Hotter customer database and grow it through the addition of similarly themed products beyond footwear.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The distribution of this document in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and persons into whose possession this document comes should inform themselves about and observe any relevant restrictions. In particular, this document may not be published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or South Africa.
This communication is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia). This communication does not constitute or form part of an offer of securities for sale or solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer may be restricted. The securities referred to in this communication have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state in the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except in reliance on an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States.
This communication is directed only at persons who: (i) are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, (as amended); and (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" contained in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Order") or are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Order, or fall within another exemption to the Order (all such persons referred to in (i) and (ii) above together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any person in the United Kingdom who is not a Relevant Person must not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. By accepting receipt of this communication, each recipient is deemed to confirm, represent and warrant that they are a Relevant Person.
In the member states of the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this communication is directed only at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (Regulation 2017/1129/EU)("Qualified Investors").This communication must not be acted or relied upon by, and no investment will be made available to nor any investment activity will be engaged in with any persons who are not Qualified Investors. By accepting receipt of this communication, each recipient is deemed to confirm, represent and warrant that they are a Qualified Investor.
The contents of this announcement have been prepared by and are the sole responsibility of Electra.
This announcement is being made for information purposes only in connection with the proposed move of Electra's listing (then renamed Unbound Group PLC) to AIM subsequent to Electra's proposed demerger of Hostmore plc ("Hostmore") and does not purport to be full or complete.
This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or issue, or a solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with any contract therefor.
This announcement may not be relied upon for the purpose of entering into any transaction and should not be construed as, nor be relied on in connection with, any offer, invitation or inducement to purchase or subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, hold or dispose of any securities of Electra and/or Hostmore and shall not be regarded as a recommendation in relation to any such transaction whatsoever.
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel") which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the FCA, is acting as financial adviser and nominated adviser exclusively for Electra in connection with the proposed move of its listing to AIM following the demerger of Hostmore (the "Listing Move") and for no one else in connection with the Listing Move or any other matters described in this announcement and will not regard any other person as a client in connection with the Listing Move or any other matters described in this announcement or be responsible to anyone other than Electra for providing the protections afforded to clients of Stifel nor for providing advice in connection with the Listing Move or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Stifel by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or the regulatory regime established thereunder, neither Stifel nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers 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 Stifle for the contents of this announcement or its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, or by any other person(s) in connection with the Listing Move, this announcement, any statement contained herein, or otherwise.
Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements and by their nature, all such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. Forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and often use words such as "expects", "may", "will", "could", "should", "intends", "plans", "predicts", "envisages" or "anticipates" or other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations based on information that is known to Electra at the date of this announcement. Actual results of the Electra Group (being Electra and its subsidiary undertakings from time to time), and/or their respective industries may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of any number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties about its impact and duration, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Electra. Persons receiving this announcement should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation Electra and its advisers (including Stifel) disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.