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Cash offer for Frontier Smart Technologies Grp Ltd

1 Jul 2019 07:00

RNS Number : 9319D
Science Group PLC
01 July 2019
Β 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction

Β 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1 July 2019

CASH OFFER

for

FRONTIER SMART TECHNOLOGIES GROUP LIMITED

Β 

("FRONTIER")

By

Β 

SCIENCE GROUP PLC

("SCIENCE GROUP")

1. Introduction

Science Group announces a firm intention to make a cash offer at 35 pence per share for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Frontier which Science Group and its Affiliates do not already own.

Β· The offer price of 35 pence per Frontier Share represents a substantial premium of 137.3 per cent. to the closing mid-market Frontier share price at 17 May 2019, being the last trading day prior to the announcement of Science Group's approach to Frontier.

Β· The Offer, which will have an acceptance condition of 50 per cent. plus one share, gives Frontier Shareholders a deliverable path to realise the value in their Frontier Shares in cash and at a premium.

Β· In addition, Science Group has today instructed Panmure Gordon to buy up to 10 million Frontier shares in the market at a price per share equal to the Acquisition Consideration, giving Frontier Shareholders immediate trading liquidity should they wish to sell their Frontier Shares before completion of the Offer.

Β· As at close of business on 28 June 2019, Science Group was interested in 11,510,521 Frontier Shares representing 28.3 per cent. of the voting rights in Frontier. Science Group does not anticipate supporting any proposals made in respect of Frontier by any alternative bidder.

Β· Science Group considers that there are potential benefits for both companies to be derived from Frontier becoming part of Science Group and believes that Frontier's management and employees would benefit from the greater opportunities that Science Group can offer.

2. The Offer

Under the terms of the Offer, Frontier Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

in respect of each Frontier Share 35 pence in cash

The Offer represents:

(a) a premium of 137.3Β Β per cent. to the closing mid-market share price of Frontier on 17 May 2019 of 14.75 pence per share, being the last trading day prior to the announcement of Science Group's approach to Frontier; and

(b) a premium of 161.6 per cent. to the closing mid-market share price of Frontier on 9 May 2019 of 13.4 pence per share, being the date of the trading update issued by the board of directors of Frontier.

Science Group encourages all Frontier Shareholders to accept the Offer, which it considers to be at an attractive premium, particularly in view of the financial situation and operating performance of Frontier as set out in the trading update made by Frontier on 9 May 2019.

Unless extended at the sole discretion of Science Group, the Offer will be available for acceptance for 14 calendar days from the date of posting of the Offer Document to Frontier Shareholders or, if applicable, the making of the Offer by any alternative method (the "Offer Period"). There is no certainty that Science Group will extend the Offer beyond the First Closing Date and Frontier Shareholders are encouraged to accept the Offer in a timely manner or, if they wish to sell their shares and receive payment more quickly, to use the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility described in Section 3 below.

The Offer will be conditional on, among other things, Science Group securing valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of Frontier Shares which, taken together with all other Frontier Shares which Science Group and its Affiliates (and/or their respective nominee(s)) have acquired or agreed to acquire (whether under the Offer or otherwise) carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights exercisable at a general meeting of Frontier. As at close of business on 28 June 2019 (being the latest practicable date before publication of this Announcement), Science Group was interested in 11,510,521 Frontier Shares representing 28.3 per cent. of the voting rights in Frontier. Shares acquired by Science Group through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility will, therefore, count towards reaching the acceptance condition.

3. Acquisition of Frontier Shares

Science Group recognises that:

Β· many Frontier Shareholders hold Frontier Shares as Depositary Interests and/or in nominee accounts;

Β· the process of accepting any offer (such as the Offer) and completing the related administration can be burdensome; and

Β· there may be a significant delay between accepting any offer (such as the Offer) and receiving payment.

To simplify the process and accelerate payment for Frontier Shareholders, Science Group has instructed Panmure Gordon to buy up to 10 million Frontier shares in the market at a price per share equal to the Acquisition Consideration at any time from today up to the end of the Offer Period. The sale of such Frontier Shares through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility will be the simplest and quickest method to receive sale proceeds and to ensure certainty.

Frontier Shareholders who are institutional investors interested in selling their Frontier Shares to Science Group should contact Panmure Gordon at +44 (0) 20 7886 2500 or erik.anderson@panmure.com.

Science Group reserves the right to terminate or amend the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility at any time and without notice.

4. Background to and Reasons for the Offer

Science Group is an international consultancy providing science-based product development, advisory and regulatory services. Frontier is a pioneer in technologies for Digital Radio and Smart IoT Devices. Science Group considers that there are potential benefits for both organisations to be derived from Frontier becoming part of Science Group and initiated discussions with Frontier in December 2018. These discussions included the possibility of Science Group making an offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Frontier.

Following the informal discussions, on 8 May 2019, Science Group made a formal proposal to Frontier including an indicative offer. On 9 May 2019, Frontier issued a trading update advising that the "short-term trading outlook for the Group is challenging" and that the "Board anticipates an H1 2019 Trading EBITDA loss of US$2.2 million". Furthermore, at 30 April 2019, Frontier's net debt had increased by US$1.4 million since 31 December 2018. This statement on 9 May 2019 was in contrast to the guidance provided by Frontier on 17 January 2019 and 20 March 2019.

This material reduction in Frontier's financial forecast for the current financial year followed a similar profile to the prior year. On 8 March 2018, the Frontier Board issued the preliminary results for 2017 including an outlook statement which declared that "In FY 2018, the Board expects to see modest growth in revenues and EBITDA, as the Group continues to invest in Smart Audio". However, on 23 May 2018, the Frontier Board announced that "Challenging trading conditions in Q2-2018 are likely to have an adverse impact on the Group's FY 2018 trading performance."

In summary, Frontier's revenue will have declined from US$53.0 million in 2017 to forecast sales of US$36.6 million in 2019. Furthermore, Frontier's cash position has deteriorated from net cash of US$4.0 million at 31 December 2017 to net debt of US$3.9 million at 30 April 2019.

Consistent with the decline in operating performance, between 1 January 2018 and 9 May 2019, the date of the Frontier trading update, Frontier's share price declined by 92 per cent.

Subsequent to the Frontier trading update, Frontier requested that Science Group reconfirm the indicative offer given on 8 May 2019, which was done on 10 May 2019. However, on 20 May 2019, Frontier announced Science Group's interest to the market. Frontier also announced the proposed price of the indicative offer which, in Science Group's opinion, was unnecessary and a breach of trust. Science Group terminated the discussions and announced that it held 9.0 per cent. of the voting shares of Frontier. Subsequent announcements on 29 May 2019 and 6 June 2019 recorded the progressive increase in the Science Group shareholding to the current level of 11,510,521 shares equivalent to 28.3 per cent. of the voting shares of Frontier.

Frontier is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and is therefore not within the jurisdiction of the City Code. However, in the Frontier announcement of 20 May 2019, the Frontier Board declared that it intended "to adhere to the general principles of the Code". While Science Group has repeatedly tried to constructively engage with Frontier, throughout the past 7 weeks, in the opinion of Science Group, Frontier has taken actions which have had the effect of frustrating the proposed acquisition, contrary to the principles of the City Code. These actions have included significant increases to Executive Director emoluments.

On 14 June 2019, Frontier announced that it had received an approach from a second potential bidder and that "The Board is urgently seeking to clarify the pricing, conditionality and deliverability of this second approach". Science Group acknowledged the Frontier announcement but, in view of the Science Group shareholding of 28.3 per cent., questioned the proposed structure and deliverability of this alternative bid. In contrast to the Frontier announcement on 20 May 2019 related to Science Group's interest, Frontier has adopted an inconsistent policy in not naming the other interested party nor providing any details of the potential transaction.

On 24 June 2019, Science Group wrote to Frontier and requested an update on the progress made by Frontier in clarifying the second approach, whilst also reaffirming Science Group's interest and emphasising the deliverability of the Science Group proposal (including by providing a detailed draft merger implementation agreement to effect a merger of the Cayman Islands entity with a wholly owned subsidiary of Science Group). Frontier acknowledged receipt and advised that Frontier was continuing urgently to seek clarification of the pricing, conditionality and deliverability of the second approach.

It is now more than seven weeks since Science Group first formally approached Frontier but no material progress has been made. It is more than two weeks since Frontier notified the market that they were "urgently" seeking clarification on the pricing, conditionality and deliverability of the second approach but no further clarification has been provided to Science Group or the market. In view of the significant deterioration in the financial position of Frontier, as set out in the trading update on 9 May 2019, as a major shareholder in Frontier with 28.3 per cent. of the voting shares, Science Group has been left with no alternative but to make this Offer directly to Frontier Shareholders.

Prior to this Announcement, Frontier was again given the opportunity to engage with Science Group.

5. Conditions of the Offer, De-Listing and Compulsory Purchase

The Offer will be subject to the Conditions and further terms set out in Appendix 1 of this Announcement and to the full terms and conditions to be set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance in due course. In particular, the Offer will be conditional on Science Group securing valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of Frontier Shares which, taken together with all other Frontier Shares which Science Group and its Affiliates (and/or their respective nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether under the Offer or otherwise) carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights exercisable at a general meeting of Frontier.

As at 28 June 2019 (being the latest practicable date before publication of this Announcement), Science Group was interested in 11,510,521 Frontier Shares representing 28.3 per cent. of the voting rights in Frontier.

If the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and Science Group has by virtue of its shareholdings and acceptances of its Offer acquired, or agreed to acquire, issued share capital carrying at least 75 per cent. of the voting rights of Frontier, Science Group intends to procure the making of an application by Frontier for cancellation of the admission to trading of Frontier Shares on AIM. A notice period of not less than 20 Business Days prior to the cancellation will commence on the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects provided Science Group has obtained 75 per cent. or more of the voting rights as described above or otherwise as soon as Science Group obtains 75 per cent. or more of the voting rights as described above.

If the Offer becomes or is declared wholly unconditional and sufficient acceptances are received to enable Science Group to apply the provisions of section 88 of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands in connection with the Offer, Science GroupΒ intendsΒ to applyΒ such provisions to acquireΒ compulsorilyΒ anyΒ FrontierΒ SharesΒ notΒ acquiredΒ orΒ agreedΒ toΒ beΒ acquiredΒ byΒ orΒ onΒ behalfΒ of Science Group pursuantΒ to theΒ OfferΒ or otherwiseΒ on theΒ sameΒ termsΒ as theΒ Acquisition.

For the avoidance of doubt, Frontier Shareholders who sell Frontier Shares through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility will not be subject to any of the Conditions set out in Appendix 1. This facility provides immediate trading liquidity for Frontier Shareholders that wish to sell their Frontier Shares before completion of the Offer.

6. InformationΒ on Science Group

Science Group is an international consultancy providing applied science, product development, technology advisory and regulatory services to a client base in medical, food & beverage, industrial and consumer markets.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, Science Group revenue was Β£48.7 million and adjusted operating profit was Β£7.7 million. Statutory profit before tax was Β£4.9 million resulting in basic earnings per share ("EPS") of 10.7 pence and adjusted basic EPS of 14.7 pence. Science Group's gross cash balance at 31 December 2018 was Β£21.5 million with net funds of Β£8.8 million. Following the year end, as announced on 20 February 2019, Science Group's bank debt was increased by an additional Β£4.75 million such that at 30 April 2019, Science Group had gross cash balances in excess of Β£26 million.Β 

Science Group's long-term debt is secured against the Group's significant freehold property assets in Harston, near Cambridge, and Epsom, Surrey. These facilities provide not only an attractive financial and operating model for an evolving science-based organisation requiring a diverse range of laboratories and offices, but also an excellent working environment for Science Group employees.

7. InformationΒ on Frontier

Frontier is a pioneer in technologies for Digital Radio and Smart IoT devices. According to the Frontier 2018 Annual Report and Accounts, Frontier Smart Technologies is

(i) the world's leading provider of chips, modules and software for consumer DAB and Smart Radios; and

(ii) a leading solution provider for third party brands building smart audio devices based on the streaming and voice platforms of Google, Amazon and Apple, a position Frontier is using to address opportunities in the broader non-audio Smart IoT space.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, Frontier reported revenue of US$41.8 million and a loss from continuing operations of US$2.7 million. In the prior year to 31 December 2017, Frontier reported revenue of US$53.0 million and a loss from continuing operations of US$1.7 million. Net assets at 31 December 2018 were US$18.9 million including retained earnings of negative US$175.5 million.

On 9 May 2019, Frontier issued a trading update advising that the "short-term trading outlook for the Group is challenging" and that the "Board anticipates an H1 2019 Trading EBITDA loss of US$2.2 million". Furthermore, at 30 April 2019, Frontier's net debt had increased by US$1.4 million since 31 December 2018. This statement was in contrast to the guidance provided by Frontier on 17 January 2019 and 20 March 2019.

This material reduction in Frontier's financial forecast for the current financial year followed a similar profile to the prior year. On 8 March 2018, the Frontier Board issued the preliminary results for 2017 including an outlook statement which declared that "In FY 2018, the Board expects to see modest growth in revenues and EBITDA, as the Group continues to invest in Smart Audio". However, on 23 May 2018, the Frontier Board announced that "Challenging trading conditions in Q2-2018 are likely to have an adverse impact on the Group's FY 2018 trading performance."

In summary, Frontier's revenue will have declined from US$53.0 million in 2017 to forecast sales of US$36.6 million two years later. Furthermore, Frontier's cash position has deteriorated from net cash of US$4 million at 31 December 2017 to net debt of US$3.9 million at 30 April 2019.

Consistent with the deterioration in operating performance, between 1 January 2018 and 9 May 2019, the date of the Frontier trading update, Frontier's share price declined by 92 per cent.

As set out in the Frontier 2018 Annual Report, Frontier has a revolving credit facility of Β£5.0 million which at 31 December 2018 was fully drawn. The loan "carries certain covenants on the business which are monitored at a historic and forecast level on a monthly and quarterly basis by the Board". The Frontier announcement on 9 May 2019 did not provide any detail as to the headroom relative to the bank covenants, despite the reported challenging trading environment and deteriorating cash position. Science Group has requested on several occasions that Frontier should update the market regarding bank debt covenant terms and headroom but Frontier has ignored all such requests.

8. Financing of the Acquisition

The AcquisitionΒ ConsiderationΒ payableΒ by Science Group pursuantΒ to theΒ OfferΒ willΒ be fundedΒ usingΒ the existing cash resources of Science Group. The aggregate amount required to satisfy full acceptance of the Offer would be approximately Β£10.2 million, excluding the shares already owned by Science Group and the shares held in the Frontier employee benefit trust.

At 31 December 2018, the audited accounts of Science Group reported gross cash of Β£21.5 million. Science Group further reported an increase in Science Group's bank facilities, secured on Science Group's freehold property assets, on 20 February such that at 30 April 2019, Science Group had gross cash balances in excess of Β£26.0 million.

Science Group has confirmed to Panmure Gordon that, at the time of making the Offer, sufficient cash resources are readily availableΒ to Science Group to satisfyΒ the total Acquisition ConsiderationΒ payableΒ pursuant toΒ the termsΒ of theΒ Offer.

9. Employees and Management

Science Group considers Frontier's employees to be one of its main assets and a key element for its future growth and success. Science Group believes that Frontier's management and employees would benefit from enhanced career development opportunities in a business of greater size and scope that incorporates the skills and talents present in both Science Group and Frontier.

Science Group confirms that, following completion of the Acquisition, it intends to safeguard the existing employment rights of Frontier employees, in accordance with contractual and statutory requirements.

Science Group would anticipate relocating the Frontier operations at Sawston, near Cambridge, into Science Group's main site at Harston, both of which are located on the south side of the city. This would enable greater integration of the businesses and provide Frontier employees with an attractive working environment.

Science Group has not been provided with access to internal Frontier data and therefore has only been able to undertake diligence from industry information and publicly available data. Accordingly, Science Group has not been able to undertake any substantial analysis in order to formulate detailed plans or intentions regarding the impact of the Acquisition on the Frontier business.

10. Merger Procedure

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Frontier is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Frontier Board, in its various forms over the past 14 years, has elected not to move the incorporation to the United Kingdom. In the opinion of Science Group, this corporate structure introduces costs and complexity

Frontier net retained losses, as reported in its Annual Report and Accounts for 2018, totalled US$175.6 million. The Frontier Annual Report also states that the Frontier Group has tax losses in the UK of approximately US$31 million. As set out in the trading update on 9 May 2019, Frontier does not anticipate making a profit in the 2019 financial year. As a result, Science Group considers that, in the foreseeable future, the potential tax benefits derived from a Cayman Islands incorporation are less important than the benefits to be derived from the simplification of the corporate structure.

Science Group therefore anticipates undertaking a statutory merger of Frontier, the Cayman Islands company, with a UK subsidiary of Science Group as soon as practicable after the Offer has become wholly unconditional. For Frontier Shareholders that accept the Offer (or sell their shares through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility), this activity will have no consequences. For Frontier Shareholders (if any) who elect not to sell their Frontier Shares through either of these methods, Science Group announces that:

(a) the statutory merger will be undertaken in accordance with the Companies Law;

(b) the statutory merger will require approval by 75% of those shareholders voting (Science Group will be entitled to vote its Frontier Shares in favour of any such statutory merger); and

(c) the price offered at the time of effecting the statutory merger may be lower than the Acquisition Consideration.

The price offered in consideration of any statutory merger may be adjusted downwards from the Acquisition Consideration if any of the following have occurred prior to implementation of the statutory merger:

(a) any fees incurred after 1 May 2019 by Frontier related to the potential acquisition of Frontier, including but not limited to financial and legal adviser fees, are or are expected to be in excess of Β£350,000;

(b) any changes to Director, or key employee, remuneration or emoluments outside of normal operating practice, made after 1 May 2019, including any bonuses or changes in employment terms;

(c) any accelerated vesting or exercise of share options, unless contractually obliged and not subject to remuneration committee or independent director discretion;

(d) any changes to the forecasts of Frontier relative to the information provided to the market on 9 May 2019;

(e) any material adverse change affecting the Frontier Group; and/or

(f) any other matter reasonably considered by the Science Group Board to have a material impact on the valuation of Frontier, including but not limited to the matters set out in Appendix 1.

For the avoidance of doubt, Frontier Shareholders that accept the Offer (or sell their shares through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility) will not be subject to the potential price adjustments set out in this paragraph. Science Group therefore encourages all Frontier Shareholders to accept the Offer once made or to sell their shares to Science Group through the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility.

The statutory merger, if implemented, will be effected under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands.

11. OverseasΒ Shareholders

UnlessΒ otherwiseΒ determinedΒ byΒ Science Group, and permittedΒ by applicable lawΒ andΒ regulation,Β theΒ OfferΒ will notΒ be madeΒ available,Β directlyΒ orΒ indirectly,Β inΒ orΒ into, orΒ byΒ theΒ useΒ ofΒ mailsΒ orΒ anyΒ meansΒ orΒ instrumentalityΒ (including,Β butΒ notΒ limitedΒ to,Β facsimile,Β e-mailΒ or otherΒ electronicΒ transmission,Β telexΒ or telephone)Β of interstateΒ or foreignΒ commerceΒ of, or of any facilityΒ of a national,Β stateΒ orΒ otherΒ securitiesΒ exchangeΒ of any RestrictedΒ JurisdictionΒ and theΒ OfferΒ willΒ not be capableΒ of acceptance Β by Β any Β such Β use, means, instrumentalityΒ or facilitiesΒ or fromΒ orΒ withinΒ anyΒ Restricted Jurisdiction.

TheΒ availabilityΒ ofΒ theΒ OfferΒ toΒ OverseasΒ ShareholdersΒ mayΒ beΒ affectedΒ byΒ theΒ lawsΒ ofΒ theΒ jurisdictionΒ in whichΒ theyΒ areΒ resident.Β 

PersonsΒ who areΒ residentΒ in any jurisdictionΒ or territoryΒ otherΒ thanΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Kingdom or the United States shouldΒ obtainΒ appropriate,Β independentΒ professionalΒ adviceΒ in theΒ relevantΒ jurisdictionΒ without delay and observeΒ any applicableΒ legalΒ or regulatoryΒ requirements.

Frontier Shareholders who are resident in the United States should refer to the Important Notices section of this Announcement.

12. General

Β 

The Frontier Shares will be acquired by Science Group under the Offer fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights and interests of any nature whatsoever and together with all rights attaching to them on or after the date of this Announcement, including, without limitation, voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid, or any other return of capital (whether by way of reduction of share capital or share premium account or otherwise) made on or after this Announcement.

If, any dividend, and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital is announced, declared, paid or becomes payable in respect of the Frontier Shares on or after the date of this Announcement, Science Group reserves the right in its sole discretion to reduce the Acquisition Consideration by the amount of the dividend or other distributions, in which case any reference in this Announcement to the Acquisition Consideration will be deemed to be a reference to the Acquisition Consideration as so reduced, and the relevant eligible Frontier Shareholder will be entitled to receive and retain such dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital. To the extent that such a dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital is announced, declared, paid or becomes payable and is or shall be: (i) transferred pursuant to the Acquisition on a basis which entitles Science Group to receive the dividend or distribution or return of capital in respect of all Frontier Shares and to retain it; or (ii) cancelled, the Acquisition Consideration payable shall not be subject to change in accordance with this paragraph. Any exercise by Science Group of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the Offer.

Science Group and its advisers have not had access to Frontier's non-public information or documentation and accordingly have been unable to perform any due diligence on such information or documentation. All information relating to Frontier and the Frontier Group has been sourced from publicly available information and has not been subject to comment or verification by Frontier or the relevant member of the Frontier Group or their respective directors.

Science Group has requested that Frontier instructs its registrars to provide a copy of the register of members of Frontier to reflect the position as at close of business on the date of this Announcement including details of both participant and account IDs for holdings in CREST. It has also sought confirmation from Frontier that it will instruct its registrar to comply with the other provisions of Appendix 4 of the City Code in order to enable mailing of the Offer Document to Frontier Shareholders and acceptance of the Offer by Frontier Shareholders who hold their Frontier Shares in CREST.

Your attention is drawn to the further information contained in the Appendices which form part of, and should be read in conjunction with, this Announcement.

Enquiries

Β 

Β 

Β 

Science Group

Β 

Martyn Ratcliffe, Chairman

Sarah Cole, Company Secretary

Β 

Β 

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 875 200

Panmure Gordon (Financial Adviser, Nominated Adviser and Broker to Science Group)

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Dominic Morley / Alina Vaskina (Corporate Finance)

Erik Anderson (Corporate Broking)

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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2500

MHP Communications (PR Adviser to Science Group)

Reg Hoare / Pete Lambie

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Tel: +44 (0) 20 3128 8100

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The person responsible for arranging for the release of this Announcement on behalf of Science Group is Sarah Cole.

Β 

IMPORTANTΒ NOTICES

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Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited is acting exclusively for Science Group and for no one else in relation to the matters described in this Announcement and is not advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible to anyone other than Science Group for providing the protections afforded to the customers of Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited or for providing advice in relation to the matters described in this Announcement.

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TheΒ statementsΒ containedΒ inΒ thisAnnouncementΒ areΒ notΒ toΒ beΒ construedΒ asΒ legal,Β business,Β financialΒ orΒ taxΒ advice.Β If youΒ areΒ inΒ anyΒ doubtΒ aboutΒ theΒ OfferΒ orΒ theΒ contentsΒ ofΒ this Announcement,Β youΒ shouldΒ consultΒ yourΒ ownΒ legal, financialΒ and/orΒ taxΒ adviserΒ forΒ legal,Β business,Β financialΒ and/orΒ taxΒ advice.

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Further information

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any 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 Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be made solely by means of the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance accompanying the Offer Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how the Offer may be accepted. Any response to the Offer should be made only on the basis of information contained in the Offer Document. Frontier Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Offer carefully once it has been despatched.

This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with English law and the rules of AIM and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.

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OverseasΒ Shareholders

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TheΒ release,Β publicationΒ orΒ distributionΒ ofΒ this AnnouncementΒ and/orΒ anyΒ accompanyingΒ documentsΒ (inΒ wholeΒ orΒ in part)Β inΒ jurisdictionsΒ otherΒ thanΒ theΒ UnitedΒ KingdomΒ mayΒ be restrictedΒ by law and thereforeΒ any personsΒ who are subjectΒ to theΒ laws of any jurisdictionΒ otherΒ thanΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Kingdom should informΒ themselvesΒ about, and observe,Β any applicableΒ restrictionsΒ and legalΒ and regulatoryΒ requirements.

Β 

FrontierΒ ShareholdersΒ whoΒ areΒ inΒ anyΒ doubtΒ regardingΒ suchΒ mattersΒ shouldΒ consultΒ an appropriateΒ independentΒ adviser inΒ theΒ relevantΒ jurisdictionΒ withoutΒ delay.Β Any failureΒ to complyΒ with such restrictionsΒ and/orΒ requirementsΒ may constituteΒ a violationΒ of theΒ securitiesΒ laws of any such jurisdiction.

Β 

ThisΒ announcementΒ hasΒ beenΒ preparedΒ forΒ theΒ purposeΒ ofΒ complyingΒ withΒ EnglishΒ lawΒ and the informationΒ disclosedΒ mayΒ notΒ beΒ theΒ sameΒ asΒ thatΒ whichΒ wouldΒ haveΒ beenΒ disclosedΒ ifΒ this AnnouncementΒ had been preparedΒ in accordanceΒ with theΒ laws of jurisdictionsΒ outsideΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Kingdom.

Β 

TheΒ Offer will beΒ subjectΒ toΒ theΒ applicableΒ requirementsΒ of English Law, the AIM Rules and theΒ FCA. Frontier is not subject to the City Code or any requirements of the Panel.

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UnlessΒ otherwiseΒ determinedΒ by Science Group, and permittedΒ by applicableΒ law andΒ regulation,Β theΒ OfferΒ willΒ not be madeΒ available,Β directlyΒ or indirectly,Β in or into or from,Β or by the use of mailsΒ or any meansΒ or instrumentalityΒ (including,Β but not limitedΒ to, facsimile,Β e-mailΒ or otherΒ electronic transmission,Β telexΒ orΒ telephone)Β ofΒ interstateΒ orΒ foreignΒ commerceΒ of,Β orΒ ofΒ anyΒ facilityΒ ofΒ aΒ national,Β stateΒ or otherΒ securitiesΒ exchangeΒ ofΒ anyΒ RestrictedΒ JurisdictionΒ andΒ theΒ OfferΒ willΒ notΒ be capableΒ of acceptanceΒ by any such use, means,Β instrumentalityΒ or facilitiesΒ or fromΒ or withinΒ any RestrictedΒ Jurisdiction.

Β 

Accordingly,Β copiesΒ ofΒ this AnnouncementΒ andΒ allΒ documentsΒ relatingΒ toΒ theΒ OfferΒ areΒ notΒ being,Β andΒ mustΒ notΒ be, directlyΒ orΒ indirectly,Β mailedΒ orΒ otherwiseΒ forwarded,Β distributedΒ orΒ sentΒ in or intoΒ or fromΒ any Restricted JurisdictionΒ and personsΒ receivingΒ such documentsΒ (includingΒ any custodians,Β nomineesΒ and trustees)Β mustΒ not mailΒ orΒ otherwiseΒ forward,Β distributeΒ orΒ sendΒ themΒ in or intoΒ or fromΒ any RestrictedΒ Jurisdiction.Β Any person (includingΒ anyΒ custodian,Β nomineeΒ orΒ trustee)Β whoΒ hasΒ aΒ contractualΒ orΒ legalΒ obligation,Β or mayΒ otherwiseΒ intend, toΒ forwardΒ this AnnouncementΒ and/orΒ any otherΒ relatedΒ documentΒ to a jurisdictionΒ outsideΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Kingdom should informΒ themselvesΒ of,Β andΒ observe,Β anyΒ applicableΒ legalΒ orΒ regulatoryΒ requirementsΒ of theirΒ jurisdictionΒ and must notΒ mail,Β sendΒ orΒ otherwiseΒ forwardΒ orΒ distributeΒ themΒ in, intoΒ or fromΒ any RestrictedΒ Jurisdiction.Β Doing so may renderΒ any purportedΒ acceptanceΒ of theΒ OfferΒ invalid.

Β 

Notes to U.S.Β holdersΒ of Frontier Shares

Β 

The Offer is being made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the US Exchange Act, subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(c) and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Cayman law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and law.

Β 

The Offer is being made for the securities of a Cayman-incorporated company with its shares admitted to trading on AIM. The Offer is subject to AIM Rule disclosure requirements, which are different from certain United States disclosure requirements. The financial information on Frontier included in this Announcement has been extracted from Frontier financial statements which are stated by Frontier to have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and may therefore not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Β 

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a US holder of Frontier Shares may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each Frontier Shareholder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Offer. Furthermore, the payment and settlement procedure with respect to the Offer will differ from the United States payment and settlement procedures, particularly with regard to the date of payment of consideration.

Β 

The Offer will be made (including in the United States) by Science Group and no one else. None of Panmure Gordon nor any of its affiliates will be making the Offer in or outside the United States.

Β 

It may be difficult for US holders of Frontier Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of US federal securities laws, since Science Group is incorporated under the laws of England and Frontier is incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and some or all of their officers and directors are residents of non-US jurisdictions. In addition, most of the assets of Science Group and Frontier are located outside the United States. US holders of Frontier Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgment.

Β 

This Announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or an offer to acquire securities in the United States. No offer to acquire securities or to exchange securities for other securities has been made, or will be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce or any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States or any other country in which such offer may not be made other than: (i) in accordance with the tender offer requirements under the US Exchange Act, or the securities laws of such other country, as the case may be; or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from such requirements.

Β 

Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any US state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Offer, passed comment upon the fairness or merits of the Offer or passed comment upon the adequacy or completeness of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

Β 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, in accordance with normal UK market practice, Science Group or its nominees or brokers (acting as agents) or their respective affiliates may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares or other securities in Frontier, other than pursuant to the Offer, at any time prior to completion of the Offer (including, without limitation, under the Panmure Gordon Trading Facility). These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, will comply with all applicable UK and Cayman rules, the AIM Rules and Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable. In addition, in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by normal UK market practice, Panmure Gordon and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal traders in Frontier Shares and engage in certain other purchasing activities consistent with their respective normal and usual practice and applicable law. To the extent required by the applicable law, any information about such purchases will be disclosed on a next day basis to a Regulatory Information Service including the Regulatory News Service on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com. To the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom, this information will also be deemed to be publicly disclosed in the United States.

Β 

Cautionary note regardingΒ forward-lookingΒ statements

Β 

Β 

This Announcement contains statements about Science Group and Frontier which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" and which are prospective in nature. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Announcement may be forward-looking statements. They are based on current expectations and projections 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. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "aims", "projects", "future-proofing" or words or terms of similar substance or the negative of such words or terms, as well as 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. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. 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 Science Group's or Frontier's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Offer; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions on Science Group's or Frontier's business.

Β 

These forward looking statements are not guarantees of future financial performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Science Group or Frontier. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward looking statements. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Announcement. All subsequent oral or written forward looking statements attributable to Science Group or any of its members, directors, officers or employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. Science Group disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking or other statements contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

Β 

No member of Science Group, nor any of its associates, directors, officers, employees 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.

Β 

Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations, Science Group is not under any obligation and Science Group expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Β 

All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Science Group, or any of its associates, directors, officers, employees or advisers, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above.

Β 

No profitΒ forecastsΒ or estimates

Β 

NoΒ statementΒ in,Β orΒ referredΒ toΒ in,Β this AnnouncementΒ orΒ incorporatedΒ byΒ referenceΒ intoΒ this AnnouncementΒ isΒ intendedΒ as or shallΒ beΒ deemedΒ toΒ beΒ aΒ profitΒ forecastΒ orΒ estimateΒ forΒ anyΒ period.Β NoΒ statementΒ in,Β orΒ referredΒ toΒ in,Β this AnnouncementΒ or incorporatedΒ by referenceΒ intoΒ this AnnouncementΒ shouldΒ be interpretedΒ to meanΒ thatΒ cashΒ flow from operations,Β freeΒ cashΒ flow,Β earningsΒ orΒ earningsΒ perΒ shareΒ forΒ Frontier,Β Science Group or theΒ EnlargedΒ Group (as applicable)Β forΒ theΒ currentΒ orΒ futureΒ financialΒ yearsΒ wouldΒ necessarilyΒ matchΒ or exceedΒ theΒ historicΒ publishedΒ cash flow fromΒ operations,Β freeΒ cashΒ flow, earningsΒ or earningsΒ perΒ shareΒ forΒ Frontier, Science Group or the Enlarged Group (asΒ applicable).

Β 

PublicationΒ on websiteΒ and availabilityΒ of hard copies

Β 

AΒ copyΒ ofΒ this AnnouncementΒ willΒ beΒ availableΒ freeΒ ofΒ chargeΒ subjectΒ to certainΒ restrictions relating Β to Β persons Β resident Β in Β Restricted Β Jurisdictions Β on Β Science Group's Β website Β at www.sciencegroup.com as soon as reasonably practicable followingΒ theΒ date of publicationΒ of this Announcement.

Β 

Save as expressly Β referred Β to in this announcement, neither Β the contents ofΒ Science Group'sΒ website (norΒ theΒ contentsΒ ofΒ anyΒ websiteΒ accessibleΒ fromΒ hyperlinksΒ onΒ Science Group'sΒ website)Β areΒ incorporatedΒ into,Β or formΒ partΒ of, this Announcement.

Β 

No representations

Β 

NoΒ adviser,Β dealer,Β salespersonΒ orΒ otherΒ personΒ isΒ authorisedΒ byΒ Science GroupΒ toΒ giveΒ anyΒ informationΒ or to makeΒ anyΒ representationsΒ withΒ respectΒ toΒ theΒ OfferΒ otherΒ thanΒ suchΒ informationΒ orΒ representationsΒ containedΒ in this AnnouncementΒ and,Β ifΒ givenΒ orΒ made,Β suchΒ informationΒ orΒ representationsΒ mustΒ notΒ beΒ reliedΒ upon as havingΒ been authorisedΒ by Science Group.

Β 

Rounding

Β 

CertainΒ figuresΒ includedΒ in this AnnouncementΒ have been subjectedΒ to roundingΒ adjustments.Β Accordingly, figures shownΒ forΒ theΒ sameΒ categoryΒ presentedΒ in differentΒ tablesΒ mayΒ varyΒ slightlyΒ and figuresΒ shown as totalsΒ in certain tablesΒ mayΒ not be an arithmeticΒ aggregationΒ of theΒ figuresΒ thatΒ precedeΒ them.

Β 

Definitions

Β 

CertainΒ words and termsΒ used in this AnnouncementΒ areΒ definedΒ in Appendix 3 of this Announcement.

Β 

Time

Β 

All timesΒ shown in this AnnouncementΒ areΒ London times,Β unlessΒ otherwiseΒ stated.

Β 

Appendix 1

CONDITIONSΒ TO ANDΒ FURTHERΒ TERMSΒ OF THE OFFER Part A: Conditions to the Acquisition

Β 

TheΒ OfferΒ will be governedΒ by EnglishΒ Law and will beΒ subjectΒ to theΒ exclusiveΒ jurisdictionΒ of theΒ EnglishΒ courts.Β TheΒ OfferΒ will beΒ madeΒ onΒ theΒ termsΒ andΒ subjectΒ toΒ theΒ conditionsΒ setΒ outΒ inΒ thisΒ Appendix 1 and the Offer Document and, in theΒ caseΒ of Frontier SharesΒ in certificatedΒ form,Β in theΒ FormΒ of Acceptance.

Β 

Conditions

Β 

The OfferΒ will be subjectΒ to theΒ followingΒ Conditions:

Β 

AcceptanceΒ Condition

Β 

(a) Β validΒ acceptancesΒ ofΒ theΒ OfferΒ havingΒ beenΒ receivedΒ (andΒ not,Β whereΒ permitted,Β withdrawn)Β byΒ noΒ laterΒ than

1.00Β p.m.Β (LondonΒ time)Β on the First Closing Date of the Offer as specified in the Offer Document (orΒ suchΒ laterΒ time(s)Β and/orΒ date(s)Β asΒ Science Group mayΒ decide)Β inΒ respectΒ of Frontier Shares which, taken together with all other Frontier Shares which Science Group its Affiliates (and/or their respective nominee(s)) has acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Frontier;

Β 

for the purposes of this Condition:

Β 

(a) Frontier Shares which have been unconditionally allotted but not issued before the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding subscription or conversion rights or otherwise, shall be deemed to carry the voting rights they will carry upon issue;

Β 

(b) valid acceptances shall be deemed to have been received in respect of Frontier Shares which are treated for the purposes of section 88 of the Companies Law as having been acquired or contracted to be acquired by Science Group, whether by virtue of acceptance of the Offer or otherwise; and

Β 

(c) all percentages of voting rights and share capital are to be calculated by reference to the percentage held and in issue outside treasury,

Β 

in addition, the Acquisition will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the Offer will not become or be declared wholly unconditional unless the following Conditions (as amended if appropriate) have been satisfied, or where relevant, waived:

Β 

GeneralΒ Third Party clearances

Β 

(b) Β theΒ waiverΒ (orΒ non-exerciseΒ withinΒ anyΒ applicableΒ timeΒ limits)Β byΒ anyΒ relevantΒ governmentΒ or governmental, quasi-governmental,Β supranational,Β statutory,Β regulatory,Β environmentalΒ orΒ investigativeΒ body,Β court,Β trade agency,Β association,Β institution,Β anyΒ entityΒ ownedΒ or controlledΒ by any relevantΒ governmentΒ or state,Β or any otherΒ bodyΒ orΒ personΒ whatsoeverΒ inΒ anyΒ jurisdictionΒ (eachΒ a Third Party) of any terminationΒ right,Β rightΒ of pre-emption,Β firstΒ refusalΒ or similarΒ rightΒ (whichΒ isΒ materialΒ in theΒ contextΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group takenΒ as a whole)Β arisingΒ as a resultΒ of or in connectionΒ with theΒ AcquisitionΒ including, without limitation,Β its implementationΒ andΒ financingΒ or theΒ proposedΒ directΒ or indirectΒ acquisitionΒ of any sharesΒ or otherΒ securities in, or controlΒ of, Frontier by Science Group or any memberΒ of theΒ Science Group;

Β 

(c) noΒ ThirdΒ PartyΒ havingΒ decidedΒ toΒ take,Β institute,Β implementΒ or threatenΒ any action,Β proceeding,Β suit, investigation,Β enquiryΒ orΒ reference,Β orΒ enacted,Β madeΒ orΒ proposedΒ anyΒ statute,Β regulation,Β decisionΒ orΒ order, or havingΒ takenΒ any otherΒ stepsΒ which would or mightΒ reasonablyΒ be expectedΒ to:

Β 

(i) require,Β preventΒ orΒ delayΒ theΒ divestiture,Β orΒ alterΒ theΒ termsΒ envisagedΒ forΒ anyΒ proposedΒ divestitureΒ by any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Science Group or any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group of all or anyΒ portionΒ ofΒ theirΒ respectiveΒ businesses,Β assetsΒ or propertyΒ or imposeΒ any limitationΒ on theΒ abilityΒ of anyΒ ofΒ themΒ toΒ conductΒ theirΒ respectiveΒ businessesΒ (orΒ any of them)Β or to own any of theirΒ respective assetsΒ orΒ propertiesΒ orΒ anyΒ partΒ thereofΒ which in any such caseΒ would be materialΒ in theΒ contextΒ of the WiderΒ Frontier Group takenΒ as a whole;

Β 

(ii) require,Β preventΒ orΒ delayΒ theΒ divestitureΒ byΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science GroupΒ ofΒ any sharesΒ or otherΒ securitiesΒ in Frontier;

Β 

(iii) imposeΒ anyΒ limitationΒ on,Β orΒ resultΒ inΒ aΒ delayΒ in,Β theΒ abilityΒ ofΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science Group Β directly Β or Β indirectly Β to Β acquire Β or Β to Β hold or to exercise Β effectively Β any rights Β of ownershipΒ inΒ respectΒ ofΒ sharesΒ orΒ loansΒ orΒ securitiesΒ convertibleΒ intoΒ sharesΒ or any otherΒ securitiesΒ (or theΒ equivalent)Β inΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ orΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science Group or to exerciseΒ managementΒ controlΒ overΒ any such member;

Β 

(iv) Β otherwiseΒ adverselyΒ affectΒ theΒ business,Β assets,Β profitsΒ orΒ prospectsΒ ofΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderScience Group or of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group;

Β 

(v) makeΒ theΒ AcquisitionΒ orΒ itsΒ implementationΒ orΒ theΒ acquisitionΒ orΒ proposedΒ acquisitionΒ byΒ Science GroupΒ orΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science GroupΒ of any sharesΒ or otherΒ securitiesΒ in, or controlΒ ofΒ FrontierΒ void,Β illegal,Β and/orΒ unenforceableΒ underΒ theΒ laws of any jurisdiction,Β or otherwise, directlyΒ orΒ indirectly,Β restrain,Β restrict,Β prohibit,Β delayΒ orΒ otherwiseΒ interfereΒ with theΒ same,Β or imposeΒ additionalΒ conditionsΒ orΒ obligationsΒ withΒ respectΒ thereto,Β or otherwiseΒ challengeΒ or interfere therewith;

Β 

(vi) requireΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science GroupΒ orΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ toΒ offerΒ toΒ acquire anyΒ sharesΒ orΒ otherΒ securitiesΒ (orΒ theΒ equivalent)Β orΒ interestΒ inΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group or theΒ WiderΒ Science GroupΒ ownedΒ byΒ anyΒ thirdΒ party;

Β 

(vii)Β imposeΒ anyΒ limitationΒ onΒ theΒ abilityΒ ofΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ toΒ co-ordinateΒ its business,Β or any partΒ of it,Β with theΒ businessesΒ of any otherΒ members;Β or

Β 

(viii)Β resultΒ inΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ ceasingΒ toΒ beΒ ableΒ toΒ carryΒ onΒ businessΒ underΒ anyΒ name underΒ which itΒ presentlyΒ does so,

Β 

andΒ allΒ applicableΒ waitingΒ andΒ otherΒ timeΒ periodsΒ duringΒ which any such ThirdΒ PartyΒ couldΒ institute, implementΒ orΒ threatenΒ anyΒ action,Β proceeding,Β suit,Β investigation,Β enquiryΒ orΒ referenceΒ orΒ anyΒ otherΒ step underΒ theΒ laws of any jurisdictionΒ in respectΒ of theΒ AcquisitionΒ or theΒ acquisitionΒ or proposedΒ acquisitionΒ of any Frontier SharesΒ havingΒ expired,Β lapsedΒ or been terminated;

Β 

(d) all necessaryΒ filingsΒ or applicationsΒ havingΒ been madeΒ in connectionΒ with theΒ AcquisitionΒ and allΒ statutoryΒ or regulatoryΒ obligationsΒ in any jurisdictionΒ havingΒ been compliedΒ with in connectionΒ with theΒ AcquisitionΒ or theΒ acquisitionΒ byΒ anyΒ memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Science Group of any sharesΒ or otherΒ securitiesΒ in, or controlΒ of, Frontier and allΒ authorisations,Β orders, recognitions,Β grants, consents, licences,Β confirmations, clearances,Β permissionsΒ andΒ approvalsΒ orΒ theΒ proposedΒ acquisitionΒ ofΒ anyΒ sharesΒ orΒ otherΒ securitiesΒ in,Β or controlΒ of,Β FrontierΒ byΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Science GroupΒ havingΒ beenΒ obtainedΒ in termsΒ and in a formΒ satisfactoryΒ toΒ Science Group fromΒ allΒ appropriateΒ ThirdΒ PartiesΒ or personsΒ with whom any member ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group has enteredΒ intoΒ contractualΒ arrangementsΒ and allΒ such authorisations,Β orders, recognitions,Β grants,Β consents,Β licences,Β confirmations,Β clearances,Β permissionsΒ and approvalsΒ togetherΒ with all Β authorisations Β orders, Β recognitions, Β grants, Β licences, Β confirmations, Β clearances, Β permissions Β and approvalsΒ necessaryΒ orΒ appropriateΒ toΒ carryΒ on theΒ businessΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group remainingΒ in fullΒ forceΒ and effectΒ and allΒ filingsΒ necessaryΒ forΒ such purposeΒ have been madeΒ and thereΒ being noΒ noticeΒ orΒ intimationΒ ofΒ anyΒ intentionΒ toΒ revokeΒ orΒ notΒ toΒ renewΒ anyΒ ofΒ theΒ sameΒ atΒ theΒ timeΒ atΒ which the AcquisitionΒ becomesΒ otherwiseΒ unconditionalΒ andΒ allΒ necessaryΒ statutoryΒ or regulatoryΒ obligationsΒ in any jurisdictionΒ havingΒ been compliedΒ with;

Β 

CertainΒ mattersΒ arisingΒ as a resultΒ of any arrangement,Β agreementΒ etc.

Β 

(e) thereΒ beingΒ noΒ provisionΒ ofΒ anyΒ agreement,Β arrangement,Β licence,Β permitΒ or other instrumentΒ toΒ whichΒ any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group isΒ a partyΒ or by or to which any such memberΒ or anyΒ ofΒ itsΒ assetsΒ mayΒ be bound, entitledΒ or subject,Β which in consequenceΒ of theΒ AcquisitionΒ or theΒ proposed acquisitionΒ ofΒ anyΒ sharesΒ orΒ otherΒ securitiesΒ in Frontier or becauseΒ of a changeΒ in theΒ controlΒ or managementΒ of FrontierΒ orΒ otherwise,Β couldΒ orΒ mightΒ reasonablyΒ beΒ expectedΒ toΒ resultΒ inΒ any of the following:

Β 

(i) anyΒ moneysΒ borrowedΒ byΒ orΒ anyΒ otherΒ indebtednessΒ (actualΒ orΒ contingent)Β of,Β orΒ grantΒ availableΒ toΒ any suchΒ member,Β beingΒ orΒ becomingΒ repayableΒ orΒ capableΒ ofΒ beingΒ declaredΒ repayableΒ immediatelyΒ or earlierΒ thanΒ theirΒ orΒ itsΒ statedΒ maturityΒ dateΒ or repaymentΒ dateΒ or theΒ abilityΒ of any such memberΒ to borrowΒ moneysΒ orΒ incurΒ anyΒ indebtednessΒ beingΒ withdrawnΒ orΒ inhibitedΒ orΒ beingΒ capableΒ of becoming or beingΒ withdrawnΒ or inhibited;

Β 

(ii) anyΒ suchΒ agreement,Β arrangement,Β licence,Β permitΒ orΒ instrumentΒ orΒ theΒ rights,Β liabilities,Β obligationsΒ or interestsΒ ofΒ anyΒ suchΒ memberΒ thereunderΒ beingΒ terminatedΒ or modifiedΒ or affectedΒ or any obligationΒ or liabilityΒ arisingΒ or any actionΒ beingΒ takenΒ or arisingΒ thereunder;

Β 

(iii) anyΒ assetsΒ orΒ interestsΒ ofΒ anyΒ suchΒ memberΒ beingΒ orΒ fallingΒ toΒ beΒ disposedΒ ofΒ orΒ chargedΒ orΒ anyΒ right arisingΒ underΒ whichΒ anyΒ suchΒ assetΒ orΒ interestΒ couldΒ beΒ requiredΒ toΒ beΒ disposedΒ ofΒ orΒ chargedΒ other thanΒ in theΒ ordinaryΒ courseΒ of business;

Β 

(iv) theΒ creationΒ orΒ enforcementΒ ofΒ anyΒ mortgage,Β chargeΒ orΒ otherΒ securityΒ interestΒ overΒ theΒ wholeΒ orΒ any partΒ of theΒ business,Β propertyΒ or assetsΒ of any such member;

Β 

(v) theΒ rights,Β liabilities,Β obligationsΒ orΒ interestsΒ ofΒ anyΒ suchΒ memberΒ in,Β orΒ theΒ businessΒ ofΒ anyΒ such memberΒ with,Β anyΒ person,Β firmΒ or body (orΒ any arrangementΒ or arrangementsΒ relatingΒ to any such interestΒ or business)Β beingΒ terminated,Β adverselyΒ modifiedΒ or affected;

Β 

(vi) theΒ valueΒ ofΒ anyΒ suchΒ memberΒ orΒ itsΒ financialΒ orΒ tradingΒ positionΒ orΒ prospectsΒ beingΒ prejudicedΒ or adverselyΒ affected;

Β 

(vii) Β anyΒ suchΒ memberΒ ceasingΒ toΒ beΒ ableΒ toΒ carryΒ onΒ businessΒ underΒ anyΒ nameΒ underΒ whichΒ itΒ presently does so;Β or

Β 

(viii) theΒ creation or acceleration of any liability,Β actualΒ or contingent,Β by any such member,

Β 

and no eventΒ havingΒ occurredΒ which, underΒ any provisionΒ of any agreement,Β arrangement,Β licence,Β permitΒ or otherΒ instrumentΒ toΒ whichΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ isΒ aΒ partyΒ orΒ byΒ orΒ toΒ whichΒ anyΒ such memberΒ orΒ anyΒ ofΒ itsΒ assetsΒ mayΒ beΒ bound,Β entitledΒ or subject,Β would or mightΒ reasonablyΒ be expectedΒ to resultΒ in any of theΒ eventsΒ or circumstancesΒ as areΒ referredΒ to in sub-paragraphsΒ (i)Β to (viii)Β of thisΒ condition;

Β 

No materialΒ transactions,Β claimsΒ or changes in the conduct of the businessΒ of the Frontier Group

Β 

(f) Β no memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group having,Β sinceΒ 31 December 2018;

Β 

(i) saveΒ asΒ betweenΒ FrontierΒ andΒ wholly-ownedΒ subsidiariesΒ ofΒ FrontierΒ orΒ forΒ FrontierΒ SharesΒ issuedΒ pursuantΒ toΒ the vestingΒ of awards (provided that such vesting happens automatically as a matter of contract and neither the board of Frontier nor the remuneration committee of Frontier have any discretion to prevent such vestings), grantedΒ underΒ the any Frontier ShareΒ Plans,Β issued or agreed to issue,Β authorisedΒ or proposedΒ theΒ issueΒ of additionalΒ sharesΒ of any class;

Β 

(ii) saveΒ asΒ betweenΒ FrontierΒ andΒ wholly-ownedΒ subsidiariesΒ ofΒ FrontierΒ orΒ forΒ theΒ grantΒ ofΒ optionsΒ andΒ awards underΒ theΒ Frontier ShareΒ Plans (provided that such vesting happens automatically as a matter of contract and neither the board of Frontier nor the remuneration committee of Frontier have any discretion to prevent such vestings),Β issuedΒ or agreedΒ to issue,Β authorisedΒ or proposedΒ theΒ issueΒ of securities convertibleΒ intoΒ sharesΒ ofΒ anyΒ classΒ orΒ rights,Β warrantsΒ orΒ optionsΒ to subscribeΒ for,Β or acquire,Β any such sharesΒ or convertibleΒ securities;

Β 

(iii) recommended,Β declared,Β paidΒ orΒ madeΒ orΒ proposedΒ to recommend,Β declare,Β payΒ orΒ makeΒ anyΒ bonus,Β dividendΒ orΒ otherΒ distributionΒ whetherΒ payableΒ inΒ cash or otherwise;

Β 

(iv) mergedΒ orΒ demergedΒ withΒ anyΒ bodyΒ corporateΒ orΒ acquiredΒ or disposedΒ ofΒ orΒ transferred,Β mortgagedΒ orΒ chargedΒ orΒ createdΒ anyΒ securityΒ interestΒ overΒ anyΒ assetsΒ or anyΒ right,Β titleΒ orΒ interestΒ inΒ anyΒ assetΒ (includingΒ sharesΒ and tradeΒ investments)Β or authorisedΒ or proposedΒ orΒ announcedΒ anyΒ intentionΒ to proposeΒ any merger,Β demerger,Β acquisitionΒ or disposal, transfer,Β mortgage,Β chargeΒ orΒ securityΒ interest,Β inΒ eachΒ case,Β otherΒ thanΒ in theΒ ordinaryΒ courseΒ of business;

Β 

(v) madeΒ orΒ authorisedΒ orΒ proposedΒ orΒ announcedΒ anΒ intentionΒ to proposeΒ any materialΒ changeΒ in itsΒ loanΒ capital;

Β 

(vi) issued,Β authorisedΒ orΒ proposedΒ theΒ issueΒ ofΒ anyΒ debenturesΒ or, saveΒ inΒ theΒ ordinaryΒ courseΒ of business,Β incurredΒ or increasedΒ any indebtednessΒ or becomeΒ subjectΒ to any contingentΒ liability;

Β 

(vii) Β purchased,Β redeemedΒ orΒ repaidΒ orΒ announcedΒ anyΒ proposalΒ toΒ purchase,Β redeemΒ orΒ repayΒ anyΒ ofΒ its own Β shares Β or Β other Β securities Β or Β reduced Β or, Β save Β in Β respect Β to Β the Β matters Β mentioned Β in sub-paragraphΒ (i)Β above, madeΒ any otherΒ changeΒ to any partΒ of itsΒ shareΒ capital;

Β 

(viii)Β implemented,Β orΒ authorised,Β proposedΒ or announcedΒ itsΒ intentionΒ to implement,Β any reconstruction, amalgamation, Β scheme, Β commitment Β or Β other Β transaction Β or arrangement Β otherwise Β than Β in the ordinaryΒ courseΒ ofΒ businessΒ or enteredΒ intoΒ or changedΒ theΒ termsΒ of any contractΒ with any directorΒ or seniorΒ executive;

Β 

(ix) enteredΒ intoΒ orΒ variedΒ orΒ authorised,Β proposedΒ orΒ announcedΒ itsΒ intentionΒ toΒ enterΒ intoΒ orΒ varyΒ any contract,Β transactionΒ or commitmentΒ (whetherΒ in respectΒ of capitalΒ expenditureΒ or otherwise)Β which is ofΒ aΒ longΒ term,Β onerousΒ orΒ unusualΒ natureΒ orΒ magnitudeΒ or which isΒ or couldΒ be restrictiveΒ on the businessesΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group or theΒ WiderΒ Science Group or which involvesΒ orΒ couldΒ involveΒ anΒ obligationΒ ofΒ suchΒ aΒ natureΒ orΒ magnitudeΒ orΒ whichΒ isΒ otherΒ thanΒ in the ordinaryΒ courseΒ ofΒ business;

Β 

(x) (otherΒ thanΒ inΒ respectΒ ofΒ aΒ memberΒ whichΒ isΒ dormantΒ andΒ wasΒ solventΒ atΒ theΒ relevantΒ time)Β takenΒ any corporateΒ actionΒ or had any legalΒ proceedingsΒ startedΒ or threatenedΒ against it for its winding-up, dissolutionΒ or reorganisationΒ or forΒ theΒ appointmentΒ of a receiver,Β administrativeΒ receiver, administrator,Β trusteeΒ orΒ similarΒ officerΒ of allΒ or any of itsΒ assetsΒ or revenuesΒ or any analogous proceedingsΒ in any jurisdictionΒ or had any such personΒ appointed;

Β 

(xi) enteredΒ intoΒ anyΒ contract,Β transactionΒ orΒ arrangementΒ whichΒ wouldΒ beΒ restrictiveΒ onΒ theΒ businessΒ of anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ or theΒ WiderΒ Science Group otherΒ thanΒ to a natureΒ and extentΒ which isΒ normalΒ in theΒ contextΒ of theΒ businessΒ concerned;

Β 

(xii) Β waivedΒ orΒ compromisedΒ anyΒ claim;

Β 

(xiii) enteredΒ intoΒ anyΒ contract,Β commitment,Β arrangementΒ orΒ agreementΒ otherwiseΒ thanΒ inΒ theΒ ordinary courseΒ of businessΒ or passedΒ any resolutionΒ or madeΒ any offerΒ (whichΒ remainsΒ open for acceptance) withΒ respectΒ toΒ orΒ announcedΒ anyΒ intentionΒ to,Β orΒ toΒ proposeΒ to,Β effectΒ anyΒ ofΒ theΒ transactions,Β matters or eventsΒ referredΒ to in thisΒ conditionΒ and which isΒ materialΒ in theΒ contextΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group;

Β 

(xiv) Β havingΒ madeΒ or agreedΒ or consentedΒ to any changeΒ to:

Β 

(A) Β theΒ termsΒ ofΒ theΒ trustΒ deedsΒ constitutingΒ theΒ pensionΒ scheme(s)Β establishedΒ byΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ the

WiderΒ Frontier Group forΒ itsΒ directors,Β employeesΒ or theirΒ dependents;

Β 

(B) Β the Β contributions Β payable toΒ anyΒ suchΒ scheme(s) Β orΒ toΒ the benefits Β whichΒ accrue orΒ toΒ the pensionsΒ which areΒ payableΒ thereunder;

Β 

(C) Β theΒ basisΒ onΒ whichΒ qualificationΒ for,Β orΒ accrualΒ orΒ entitlementΒ to,Β suchΒ benefitsΒ orΒ pensionsΒ are calculatedΒ or determined;Β or

Β 

(D) Β theΒ basisΒ uponΒ whichΒ theΒ liabilitiesΒ (includingΒ pensions)Β ofΒ suchΒ pensionΒ schemesΒ areΒ funded, valuedΒ or made; or

Β 

(xv) proposed,Β agreedΒ to provideΒ or modifiedΒ theΒ termsΒ of any shareΒ optionΒ scheme,Β incentiveΒ schemeΒ or otherΒ benefitΒ relatingΒ toΒ theΒ employmentΒ orΒ terminationΒ ofΒ employmentΒ ofΒ anyΒ personΒ employedΒ by theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ Group,

Β 

Β 

and,Β forΒ theΒ purposesΒ ofΒ paragraphsΒ (iii),Β (iv),Β (v)Β andΒ (vi)Β ofΒ thisΒ condition,Β theΒ termΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ shallΒ mean Frontier and itsΒ wholly-ownedΒ subsidiaries;

Β 

No adverseΒ change, litigationΒ or regulatoryΒ enquiry

Β 

(g) sinceΒ 31 December 2018:

Β 

(i) no Β adverse Β change Β or Β deterioration Β having Β occurred Β in Β the Β business, Β assets, Β financial Β or Β trading positionΒ orΒ profitsΒ orΒ prospects of operational performance ofΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ whichΒ isΒ materialΒ inΒ the contextΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group takenΒ as a whole and no circumstances have arisen which would or might reasonably be expected to result in such adverse change;

Β 

(ii) noΒ litigation,Β arbitrationΒ proceedings,Β prosecutionΒ orΒ otherΒ legalΒ proceedingsΒ toΒ whichΒ anyΒ memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ isΒ orΒ mayΒ becomeΒ a partyΒ (whetherΒ as a plaintiff,Β defendantΒ or otherwise)Β and no investigationΒ byΒ anyΒ ThirdΒ PartyΒ againstΒ or in respectΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group having beenΒ institutedΒ announcedΒ orΒ threatenedΒ byΒ or againstΒ or remainingΒ outstandingΒ in respectΒ of any memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ Group;

Β 

(iii)Β noΒ contingentΒ orΒ otherΒ liabilityΒ havingΒ arisenΒ orΒ becomeΒ apparentΒ toΒ Science Group Β whichΒ wouldΒ be likelyΒ to materiallyΒ and adverselyΒ affectΒ any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group;Β and

Β 

(iv)Β noΒ stepsΒ havingΒ beenΒ takenΒ whichΒ areΒ likelyΒ toΒ resultΒ inΒ theΒ withdrawal,Β cancellation,Β terminationΒ or modificationΒ ofΒ anyΒ licenceΒ heldΒ byΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group which isΒ necessaryΒ forΒ the properΒ carryingΒ on of itsΒ business;

Β 

No discoveryΒ of certainΒ matters

Β 

(h) Science Group not havingΒ discovered:

Β 

(i) thatΒ anyΒ financial,Β businessΒ orΒ otherΒ informationΒ concerningΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ asΒ containedΒ inΒ the informationΒ publiclyΒ disclosedΒ atΒ any timeΒ by or on behalfΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group is materiallyΒ misleading,Β containsΒ aΒ materialΒ misrepresentationΒ ofΒ factΒ orΒ omitsΒ toΒ stateΒ aΒ factΒ necessary to makeΒ thatΒ informationΒ not materiallyΒ misleading;

Β 

(ii) thatΒ anyΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ partnership,Β companyΒ orΒ otherΒ entityΒ inΒ whichΒ anyΒ member ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ hasΒ aΒ significantΒ economicΒ interestΒ and which isΒ not a subsidiaryΒ undertaking ofΒ FrontierΒ isΒ subjectΒ to any liabilityΒ (contingentΒ or otherwise)Β which isΒ not disclosedΒ in theΒ annualΒ report and accountsΒ of Frontier forΒ theΒ yearΒ ended 31 December 2018; or

Β 

(iii) anyΒ informationΒ whichΒ affectsΒ theΒ importΒ ofΒ anyΒ informationΒ disclosedΒ atΒ anyΒ timeΒ byΒ orΒ onΒ behalfΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group and which isΒ materialΒ in theΒ contextΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group;

Β 

(i) Β Science Group not havingΒ discoveredΒ that:

Β 

(i) anyΒ pastΒ orΒ presentΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ hasΒ failedΒ toΒ complyΒ withΒ anyΒ and/orΒ all applicableΒ legislationΒ or regulation,Β of any jurisdictionΒ with regardΒ to the use, treatment,Β storage,Β carriage,Β disposal, spillage,Β release,Β discharge,Β leakΒ orΒ emissionΒ ofΒ anyΒ wasteΒ or hazardousΒ substanceΒ or any substance likelyΒ toΒ impairΒ theΒ environmentΒ or harmΒ humanΒ healthΒ or animalΒ healthΒ or otherwiseΒ relatingΒ to environmentalΒ mattersΒ orΒ theΒ healthΒ and safetyΒ of humans,Β or thatΒ thereΒ has otherwiseΒ been any such storage,Β carriage,Β disposal,Β spillage,Β release,Β discharge,Β leakΒ or emissionΒ (whetherΒ or not theΒ same constitutedΒ aΒ non-complianceΒ by any personΒ with any such legislationΒ or regulations,Β and whereverΒ the sameΒ mayΒ have takenΒ place)Β any of which storage,Β carriage,Β disposal, spillage,Β release,Β discharge,Β leak or emissionΒ would be likelyΒ to giveΒ riseΒ to any liabilityΒ (actualΒ or contingent)Β on theΒ partΒ of any memberΒ of theΒ WiderΒ Frontier Group; or

Β 

(ii) thereΒ is,Β orΒ isΒ likelyΒ toΒ be,Β forΒ thatΒ orΒ anyΒ otherΒ reasonΒ whatsoever,Β anyΒ liabilityΒ (actualΒ orΒ contingent) ofΒ anyΒ pastΒ orΒ presentΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ toΒ makeΒ good,Β repair,Β reinstateΒ orΒ cleanΒ up any propertyΒ nowΒ orΒ previouslyΒ owned,Β occupied,Β operatedΒ orΒ madeΒ useΒ ofΒ orΒ controlledΒ byΒ anyΒ suchΒ past orΒ presentΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ Group,Β underΒ anyΒ environmentalΒ legislation,Β regulation,Β notice, circularΒ orΒ orderΒ of any government,Β governmental,Β quasi-governmental,Β stateΒ or localΒ government, supranational,Β statutoryΒ orΒ otherΒ regulatoryΒ body,Β agency,Β court,Β associationΒ or any otherΒ personΒ or body in any jurisdiction;Β and

Β 

(iii) circumstances exist whereby a person or class of persons would be likely to have any claim or claims in respect of any product, or process of manufacturing or materials used therein currently or previously manufactured, sold or carried out by any past or present member of the Wider Frontier Group.

Β 

Anti-corruption,Β sanctionsΒ and criminalΒ property

Β 

(j) Science Group not havingΒ discoveredΒ that:

Β 

(i) (a)Β anyΒ pastΒ orΒ presentΒ member,Β director,Β officerΒ orΒ employeeΒ ofΒ theΒ WiderΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ isΒ orΒ hasΒ atΒ any timeΒ engagedΒ inΒ anyΒ activity,Β practiceΒ orΒ conductΒ whichΒ wouldΒ constituteΒ an offenceΒ underΒ theΒ Bribery ActΒ 2010,Β theΒ U.S. ForeignΒ CorruptΒ PracticesΒ ActΒ ofΒ 1977Β orΒ anyΒ otherΒ applicableΒ anti-corruption legislationΒ orΒ (b)Β anyΒ personΒ thatΒ performsΒ orΒ hasΒ performedΒ servicesΒ forΒ orΒ onΒ behalfΒ ofΒ theΒ Wider FrontierΒ GroupΒ isΒ orΒ hasΒ atΒ anyΒ timeΒ engagedΒ inΒ anyΒ activity,Β practiceΒ orΒ conductΒ in connectionΒ with the performanceΒ ofΒ suchΒ servicesΒ whichΒ wouldΒ constituteΒ an offenceΒ underΒ theΒ BriberyΒ Act 2010, theΒ U.S. ForeignΒ CorruptΒ PracticesΒ Act of 1977 or any otherΒ applicableΒ anti-corruptionΒ legislation;

Β 

(ii) any Β asset Β of Β any Β member Β of Β the Β Wider Β Frontier Β Group Β constitutes Β criminal Β property Β as Β defined Β by sectionΒ 340(3)Β of theΒ ProceedsΒ of CrimeΒ Act 2002 (butΒ disregardingΒ paragraphΒ (b)Β of thatΒ definition);

Β 

(iii) anyΒ pastΒ orΒ presentΒ member,Β director,Β officerΒ orΒ employeeΒ ofΒ theΒ FrontierΒ Group,Β orΒ anyΒ otherΒ personΒ for whomΒ any such personΒ mayΒ be liableΒ or responsible,Β has engagedΒ in any businessΒ with, madeΒ any investmentsΒ in,Β madeΒ anyΒ fundsΒ orΒ assetsΒ availableΒ toΒ orΒ receivedΒ any fundsΒ or assetsΒ from:Β (a)Β any government,Β entityΒ orΒ individualΒ inΒ respectΒ ofΒ whichΒ U.S. orΒ EuropeanΒ UnionΒ persons,Β orΒ persons operatingΒ inΒ thoseΒ territories,Β areΒ prohibitedΒ fromΒ engagingΒ in activitiesΒ or doing business,Β or from receivingΒ orΒ makingΒ availableΒ fundsΒ orΒ economicΒ resources,Β byΒ U.S. orΒ EuropeanΒ UnionΒ lawsΒ or regulations,Β includingΒ theΒ economicΒ sanctionsΒ administeredΒ byΒ theΒ UnitedΒ StatesΒ OfficeΒ of Foreign AssetsΒ Control,Β orΒ HMΒ TreasuryΒ inΒ theΒ UK;Β orΒ (b)Β anyΒ government,Β entityΒ orΒ individualΒ targetedΒ by anyΒ ofΒ theΒ economicΒ sanctionsΒ ofΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Nations,Β theΒ UnitedΒ States,Β theΒ EuropeanΒ Union or any of itsΒ memberΒ states;Β or

Β 

(iv) noΒ memberΒ ofΒ theΒ FrontierΒ GroupΒ beingΒ engagedΒ inΒ anyΒ transactionΒ whichΒ wouldΒ causeΒ Science Group to be in breachΒ of any law or regulationΒ upon itsΒ acquisitionΒ of Frontier, includingΒ theΒ economicΒ sanctions ofΒ theΒ UnitedΒ StatesΒ OfficeΒ ofΒ ForeignΒ AssetsΒ Control,Β orΒ HMΒ TreasuryΒ inΒ theΒ UK, orΒ anyΒ government, entityΒ orΒ individualΒ targetedΒ byΒ anyΒ ofΒ theΒ economicΒ sanctionsΒ ofΒ theΒ UnitedΒ Nations,Β theΒ United States,Β theΒ EuropeanΒ Union or any of itsΒ memberΒ states.

Β 

Frontier Register of Members

Β 

(k) Frontier having instructed its registrars to provide all information to Science Group and/or the Receiving Agent appointed by Science Group in connection with the Offer that it would be required to provide to Science Group if the Offer was subject to the City Code and Frontier's registrar having complied in full with such instruction.

Β 

Β 

Part B: WaiverΒ and invocationΒ of Conditions

Β 

1. ToΒ theΒ extentΒ permittedΒ byΒ law,Β Science Group Β reservesΒ the rightΒ toΒ waive,Β inΒ wholeΒ orΒ inΒ part,Β allΒ or any of theΒ ConditionsΒ in PartΒ A of thisΒ Appendix 1.

Β 

2. The OfferΒ willΒ lapseΒ unlessΒ allΒ ofΒ theΒ ConditionsΒ setΒ outΒ inΒ PartΒ AΒ of thisΒ Appendix 1Β haveΒ beenΒ fulfilledΒ orΒ where appropriate,Β have been determined byΒ Science Group toΒ be waived or to be orΒ remainΒ satisfied,Β byΒ midnightΒ (LondonΒ time)Β onΒ theΒ 21stΒ dayΒ afterΒ theΒ laterΒ of (i)Β theΒ FirstΒ ClosingΒ Date;Β andΒ (ii)Β theΒ dateΒ onΒ whichΒ theΒ OfferΒ becomesΒ orΒ isΒ declaredΒ unconditionalΒ as to acceptancesΒ (or,Β in eachΒ case,Β such laterΒ dateΒ as Science Group mayΒ determine).

Β 

3. Science Group shallΒ beΒ underΒ noΒ obligationΒ toΒ waiveΒ (ifΒ capableΒ ofΒ waiver),Β toΒ determineΒ toΒ beΒ orΒ remain satisfiedΒ orΒ toΒ treatΒ asΒ fulfilledΒ anyΒ ofΒ theΒ ConditionsΒ setΒ outΒ inΒ PartΒ AΒ ofΒ thisΒ AppendixΒ 2 by a dateΒ earlierΒ than theΒ latestΒ dateΒ specifiedΒ aboveΒ inΒ paragraphΒ 2Β ofΒ thisΒ PartΒ BΒ forΒ theΒ fulfilmentΒ or waiverΒ thereof, notwithstandingΒ thatΒ theΒ otherΒ ConditionsΒ mayΒ atΒ suchΒ earlierΒ dateΒ haveΒ beenΒ waivedΒ orΒ fulfilledΒ and that thereΒ areΒ atΒ suchΒ earlierΒ dateΒ noΒ circumstancesΒ indicatingΒ thatΒ anyΒ ofΒ suchΒ ConditionsΒ mayΒ not be capableΒ of fulfilment.

Β 

Β 

Appendix 2

Sources of Information and Bases of Calculation

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

(a) the financial information relating to Frontier is extracted (without adjustment) from the audited financial statements of Frontier for the relevant year and/or from regulatory announcements made by Frontier; and

(b) all prices and closing prices for Frontier Shares are derived from Thompson Reuters Datastream.

Appendix 3

Definitions

Β 

The followingΒ definitionsΒ applyΒ throughoutΒ thisΒ AnnouncementΒ (unlessΒ theΒ contextΒ otherwiseΒ requires):

Β 

Acceptance Condition

the Condition as to acceptances set out in paragraph (a) of Part A of Appendix 1 of this Announcement

Acquisition

the proposed acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Frontier by Science Group, other than those Frontier Shares already owned by Science Group and its Affiliates

Β 

Acquisition Consideration

Β 

the cash amount of 35 pence per Frontier Share payable by Science Group pursuant to the Acquisition, as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition as set out in this Announcement and to be set out in the Offer Document and Form of Acceptance

Β 

Affiliates

in relation to a party, any person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party, and for these purposes a party shall be deemed to control a person if such party possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the person, whether through the ownership of over 50 per cent. of the voting securities or the right to appoint over 50 per cent. of the relevant board of directors by contract or otherwise, but, in relation to Science Group, specifically excluding Frontier and each other member of the Frontier Group

Β 

AIM

the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange

Β 

AIM Rules

the AIM Rules for companies issued by the London Stock Exchange as at March 2018

Β 

Announcement

this announcement made on 1 July 2019 by Science Group of its intention to make an offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Frontier

Β 

Business Day Β 

a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday or public or bank holiday in the UK) on which clearing banks are open for general business in London

Β 

City Code

the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

Β 

Companies Law

the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (as amended)

Β 

Conditions

the conditions to the Acquisition set out in Appendix 1 to this Announcement, and Condition means any one of them

Β 

CREST

the relevant system (as defined in the Regulations) in respect of which Euroclear is the Operator (as defined in the Regulations)

Β 

CREST Manual

the manual published by Euroclear for further information on the CREST system, as amended from time to time

Β 

CREST member

a person who has been admitted by Euroclear as a system member (as defined in the Regulations)

Β 

CREST participant

a person who is, in relation to CREST, a system-participant (as defined in the Regulations)

Β 

CREST sponsor

a CREST participant admitted to CREST as a CREST sponsor

Β 

CREST sponsored member

a CREST member admitted to CREST as a sponsored member

Β 

Depositary Interest

the dematerialized depositary interests which are transferred through the CREST system and represent the underlying Frontier Shares that are held on trust by the depositary for the holders of the depositary interests

Β 

Digital Radio

digital audio broadcasting radios

Β 

Enlarged Group

Science Group and its subsidiaries and its subsidiary undertakings following completion of the Acquisition

Β 

Euroclear

Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, the operator of CREST

Β 

FCA

the UK Financial Conduct Authority or its successor from time to time

Β 

FCA Handbook

the FCA's Handbook of rules and guidance as amended

First Closing Date

1.00 p.m. (London time) on the date specified in the Offer Document as being the first closing date (or such later time(s) and/or date(s) as Science Group may decide)

Β 

Form of Acceptance

the form of acceptance and authority relating to the Offer accompanying the Offer Document

Β 

Frontier

Β 

Β 

Frontier Smart Technologies Group Limited, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability with number FC031563

Β 

Frontier Board

the directors of Frontier at the date of this Announcement, collectively

Β 

Frontier Group

Β 

Frontier and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time

Frontier Share Plans

any applicable employee share plans of Frontier

Β 

Frontier Shareholders

holders of Frontier Shares from time to time

Β 

Frontier Shares

the existing unconditionally allotted or issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of the Frontier (including such shares represented by Depositary Interests) and any further such ordinary shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued and fully paid while the Offer remains open for acceptance or before such earlier time and date as Science Group may determine, not being earlier than the time and date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances or, if later, the First Closing Date (but excluding any such ordinary shares held or which become held in treasury), and Frontier Share means any one of them

Β 

Offer

Β 

Β 

Β 

the cash offer to be made by Science Group to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Frontier (other than those Frontier Shares already owned by Science Group and its Affiliates or their respective nominee/(s)) on the terms and subject to the Conditions to be set out in the Offer Document and, in the case of Frontier Shares held in certificated form, the Form of Acceptance including, where the context so requires, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer

Β 

Offer Document

Β 

the document to be sent to the Frontier Shareholders containing the terms and conditions of the Offer

Β 

Overseas Shareholders

Β 

Β 

Frontier Shareholders resident in, ordinarily resident in, or citizens or nationals of, jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom

Β 

Panel

the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers

Β 

Panmure Gordon

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited of One New Change, London EC4M 9AF

Β 

Panmure Gordon Trading Facility

the facility to be provided by Panmure Gordon to enable Frontier Shareholders to sell their Frontier Shares to Science Group outside any Offer for consideration per Frontier Share equal to the Cash Consideration, details of which are set out in Section 3 of this Announcement

Β 

Regulations

the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/3755)

Β 

Regulatory Information Service

a regulatory information service as defined in the FCA Handbook

Β 

Restricted Jurisdiction

any Β jurisdiction Β where Β local Β laws Β or Β regulations Β may Β result Β in Β a significant risk of civil, regulatory or criminal exposure if information concerning the Offer is sent or made available to Frontier Shareholders in that jurisdiction

Β 

Scheme of Arrangement

a scheme Β of arrangement under section 86 of the Companies, Β with or subject Β to any modification, addition or condition approved or imposed by the Courts of the Cayman Islands

Β 

Β 

Β 

Science Group

Science Group plc, a public company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales with registered number 06536543

Β 

Science Group Board

the directors of Science Group at the date of this Announcement, collectively

Β 

significant interest

a direct or indirect interest in ten per cent. or more of the equity share capital (as defined in the Companies Act)

Β 

Smart IoT Devices

smart internet of things devices

Β 

UK or United Kingdom

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Β 

uncertificated Β or Β in Β uncertificated form

Β 

in relation to a share or other security, a share or other security which is recorded on the relevant register of the share or security concerned as being held in uncertificated form in CREST and title to which, by virtue of the Regulations, may be transferred by means of CREST

United States or U.S. Β 

the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, and all other areas subject to its jurisdiction

Β 

U.S. Exchange Act

Β 

the U.S. Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder

Β 

Β 

Wider Frontier Group

Frontier and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Frontier and/or such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Wider Science Group

Β 

Wider Science Group

Science Group and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Science Group and/or such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Wider Frontier Group

Β 

Β 

Β 

Β£ or pounds sterling

pounds sterling, the lawful currency for the time being of the UK and references to "pence" and "p" shall be construed accordingly

Β 

US$ or U.S. dollars

U.S. dollars, the lawful currency for the time being of the United States

Β 

Β 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
Β 
END
Β 
Β 
OFFFMGFVGGKGLZZ
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