17 Jun 2020 14:53
HENDERSON INVESTMENT FUNDS LIMITED
HENDERSON ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TRUST PLC
LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER: 213800J6LLOCA3CUDF69
This announcement contains inside information.
17 June 2020
HENDERSON ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TRUST PLC (the "Company" or "HAST")
Notice of reconvened General Meeting
Further to the announcements made on 24 February, 16 March and 19 March 2020, the Company's Board announces that it has today published a Notice to reconvene the General Meeting of the Company which was adjourned on 19 March 2020. The resolution to be voted on at the reconvened meeting is as detailed in the Notice issued today and also contained in the circular posted to shareholders on 24 February 2020 (the "Circular"), which sets out details of recommended proposals for: (i) the modification of the Company's investment objective and policy with a view to realising the Company's assets in an orderly manner that achieves a balance between returning cash to Shareholders promptly and maximising value; and (ii) the amendment of the terms of the Investment Management Agreement between the Company and the Manager in order to reduce the management fee payable during the realisation process (the "Proposals").
The General Meeting is to be held at 11.00 a.m. on 3 July 2020.
A copy of the Notice of General Meeting will be submitted shortly to the National Storage Mechanism ("NSM") and will be available for inspection at the NSM, which is situated at: www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm. This document will also shortly be available on the Company's website at: https://www.janushenderson.com/en-gb/investor/product/henderson-alternative-strategies-trust-plc/.
Copies of the Notice of General Meeting will be posted to shareholders and will also be available from the Company's correspondence address at 201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AE.
Any capitalised terms not defined in this announcement shall have the same meaning as those defined in the Circular. Certain extracts from the Circular are set out below. However, this announcement does not contain all the information which is contained in the Circular and Shareholders should read the Circular and, in particular, the section headed "Risks associated with the Proposals", to make an informed decision at the General Meeting. The Circular is available at https://www.janushenderson.com/en-gb/investor/product/henderson-alternative-strategies-trust-plc/
Directors
Whilst she is fully supportive of the Proposals, Mary-Anne McIntyre has indicated that it is her continued intention to step down from the Board with effect from the close of the General Meeting. The Board wishes Mary-Anne its sincere best wishes and thanks her for her invaluable contribution during her tenure on the Board.
General Meeting
The Proposals are subject to Shareholder approval. A notice reconvening the General Meeting of the Company, which was adjourned on 19 March 2020, has been sent to shareholders and is available on the Company's website at https://www.janushenderson.com/en-gb/investor/product/henderson-alternative-strategies-trust-plc/. At the reconvened General Meeting, an ordinary resolution will be proposed to approve the change in investment policy.
The Board considers the well-being of Shareholders and attendees as a top priority. In light of the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK Government imposed restrictions on travel, mass gatherings and social contact. Whilst some of these restrictions have been relaxed, travelling on public transport unnecessarily is not recommended and there are restrictions on public gatherings and meetings. Accordingly, the Directors regret that Shareholders will NOT be permitted to attend the General Meeting in person and are advised to submit their votes by proxy. The only attendees who will be permitted entry to the meeting will be those who will need to be present to form the quorum to allow the business to be conducted. The voting will be conducted on a poll rather than a show of hands.
The Resolution requires a majority of those Shareholders voting to vote in favour in order to be passed.
Shareholders are requested to complete and return the Form of Proxy accompanying the Circular in accordance with the instructions printed thereon, so as to be received as soon as possible, and in any event no later than 11.00 a.m. on 1 July 2020.
Recommendation
The Board considers that the Proposals and the resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole.
Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting.
The Directors intend to vote in favour, or procure the vote in favour, of the Resolution at the General Meeting in respect of their beneficial holdings of Shares which, in aggregate, amount to 137,977 Shares representing approximately 0.36 per cent. of the Company's issued Share capital (excluding Shares held in treasury).
For further information please contact:
Richard Gubbins Chairman: Henderson Alternative Strategies Trust plc Telephone: 020 7818 2025
| James de Sausmarez Director and Head of Investment Trusts Janus Henderson Investors Telephone: 020 7818 3349
|
Alex Barr Senior Portfolio Manager Janus Henderson Investors Telephone: 020 7818 2824
| Mark Bloomfield, Nick Donovan, Alex Miller Corporate Broker: Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd Telephone: 020 7710 7600
|
Laura Thomas Investor Relations and PR Manager Janus Henderson Investors Telephone: 020 7818 2636 |