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Proposed Placing and Subscription

20 Sep 2021 07:00

RNS Number : 2266M
Haydale Graphene Industries PLC
20 September 2021
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, IS RESTRICTED AND NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE IN THE APPENDIX TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX, IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN HAYDALE GRAPHENE INDUSTRIES PLC OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BREACH ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION. NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR THE FACT OF ITS DISTRIBUTION SHALL FORM THE BASIS OF, OR BE RELIED ON IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY INVESTMENT DECISION IN RESPECT OF HAYDALE GRAPHENE INDUSTRIES PLC.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPENDIX WHICH CONTAINS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 WHICH FORMS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"). IN ADDITION, MARKET SOUNDINGS (AS DEFINED IN MAR) WERE TAKEN IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, WITH THE RESULT THAT CERTAIN PERSONS BECAME AWARE OF SUCH INSIDE INFORMATION, AS PERMITTED BY MAR. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION.

20 September 2021

HAYDALE GRAPHENE INDUSTRIES PLC

("Haydale" or the "Company" or the "Group")

Proposed placing by way of an accelerated bookbuild ("Placing") and subscriptions by certain Directors and others ("Subscription") and an offer to retail and other investors via the PrimaryBid platform ("Retail Offer") to raise approximately £4.5 million

 

(the Placing, Subscription and the Retail Offer together the "Fundraising")

 

Haydale (AIM:HAYD.L), the global technologies group and service provider that facilitates the integration of graphene and other nanomaterials into the next generation of industrial materials and commercial technologies, today announces its intention to conduct a placing of and subscription for new Ordinary Shares in each case at 6 pence per share to raise approximately £4.5 million. A separate announcement will be made shortly by the Company regarding the Retail Offer and its terms. Those investors who subscribe for new Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Retail Offer will do so pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Retail Offer contained in that announcement. The Retail Offer, which is being made by the Company via the PrimaryBid platform at the Issue Price, will provide certain existing retail shareholders in the Company and other retail investors with an opportunity to participate in the Fundraise.

 

 

Placing highlights:

· Haydale intends to raise approximately £4.5 million before expenses through a fundraise arranged by Arden Partners plc ("Arden") of 75,000,000 new Ordinary Shares ("Placing Shares") at a price of 6 pence per share (being the "Issue Price") with new and existing shareholders.

· Further details of the Placing including the terms and conditions upon which the Placing is subject are set out below and in the Appendix to this Announcement.

· Certain of the Directors of Haydale, namely David Banks, Keith Broadbent, Mark Chapman and Theresa Wallis intend to participate in the fundraise for, in aggregate, approximately 590,477 new Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price, following publication of this announcement in respect of the Placing.

· The funds raised from the Placing will be used to fund general working capital needs of the business.

· Admission of the New Ordinary Shares ("Admission") is expected to take place on or around 23 September 2021.

Further enquiries:

Haydale Graphene Industries plc

Tel: 01269 842 946

Keith Broadbent

Chief Executive Officer

Arden Partners

Tel: 0207 614 5900

Paul Shackleton

Corporate Finance

Simon Johnson

Corporate Broking

 

Each of the times and dates above refer to London time and are subject to change by the Company. Any such change will be notified to Shareholders by an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service.

Further information on the Fundraising and Admission is included in the section headed 'Additional Information' below. Attention is also drawn to the section headed 'Important Information' of this Announcement and the terms and conditions of the Placing (representing important information for Placees only) in the Appendix to this Announcement.

Capitalised terms used but not defined in this Announcement shall have the meanings given to such terms in the section headed 'Definitions' below save that any capitalised term defined in the Appendix shall have such meaning in the Appendix to the exclusion, in the Appendix only, of any definition of such term elsewhere in this Announcement.

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"). In addition, market soundings (as defined in MAR) were taken in connection with the Fundraising as a result of which certain persons became aware of inside information (as defined in MAR), as permitted by MAR. This inside information is set out in this Announcement. Therefore, those persons that received such inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of such inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Reasons for the Fundraising and use of proceeds

The financial year-ended 30 June 2021 has taken place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic which, whilst restraining revenue, has acted as a catalyst to deliver on the strategic priorities that the Group has previously set out. Notwithstanding the challenges raised by the pandemic in several key markets the Directors consider that the Group has delivered a resilient performance in the year and, by focussing on elements within our control, made solid strategic progress towards our longer-term goals.

The Group continues to transform itself from a research and development organisation to a manufacturing business focussed on commercialising its portfolio of technology and securing profitable outcomes.

The opportunities we set out last September continue to develop and our progress towards commercialisation also includes:

- Ordering a larger plasma reactor to deliver a significant increase in our functionalisation capacity, to move production capacity to an industrial level from early 2022;

- Culmination of the three-year wearable technology program with the English Institute of Sport which has produced heated garments worn by podium athletes at Tokyo;

- Filing of a joint patent with Airbus for the lightning strike electrical pre-preg. This technology has the potential to reduce the weight and environmental impact of a commercial airliner;

- Signing of a collaboration agreement with ProMake Limited to support in the delivery of Lot 2 and Lot 4 of the UK National Microbiology Framework;

- Sale of elastomers to the footwear market and commencing feasibility projects with several premium leisure footwear manufacturers;

- Positive progress on the commercial roll out of CeramycGuard™ - currently working closely with a number of UK water utilities and other water facility management companies; and

- Signing of a memorandum of understanding with Viritech for the development of Type IV structural hydrogen tanks.

 

Proceeds from the Fundraising will put the Group in a stronger position to accelerate the next stage of its development, specifically to:

- fund working capital requirements across the next 12-18 months;

- support debt facilities in scaling up manufacturing capacity at the Company's Ammanford site; and

- to drive forward product rollout into the US market.

Financial Update

The Directors believe that the Group has delivered a robust performance for the year-ended 30 June 2021 given the general economic uncertainty and the well reported headwinds in the aerospace sector. The Group's unaudited revenue for the year of £2.90 million (FY20: £2.95 million), showed a small decrease on the prior year. Unaudited other operating income, which is mainly grant funded projects, at £0.57 million (FY20 audited: £0.76 million) is below historic levels which reflects the Group's move away from grant funded to commercial projects. The Group's unaudited gross profit, which excludes other operating income, reduced marginally to £1.98 million (FY20 audited: £2.06 million) delivering an unaudited gross profit margin of 68% (FY20 audited: 70%).

Group overheads reduced by 11% year on year and have reduced by circa £2.4 million (31%) since FY18. For management review purposes lease costs are treated as an operating expense as the Directors feel that this more accurately records the trading liabilities of the Group. The Group showed a reduced loss EBITDA of £(2.76)million (FY20: £(3.17) million), before the application of the changes required for the treatment of leases under IFRS 16. Group cash and cash equivalents at the year ended 30 June 2021 was £1.64 million (FY20: £0.82m).

Group Outlook

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly depressed demand and subdued the Group's revenue expectations for the year ending 30 June 2021, it has not defined the Group's performance. The clear priority remains to commercialise the Group's cutting edge technology and the progress it has made since the last fundraise gives the Group the confidence that it is moving towards an inflexion point as it sees a more wide spread adoption of the benefits that our technology offers.

The Directors remain mindful that downside risks that could impinge on the general recovery persist, and the Group remains dependent, to an extent, on the pace of recovery in specific sectors such as aerospace and on the wider economy more generally. However, the progress it is seeing reinforces the Directors' belief that, whilst navigating the new industrial landscape will remain challenging, it is in the knowledge that the Group is moving in the right direction

The Group is pleased to report that it has made a positive start to the year ending June 2022.

The Placing

The Company is proposing to raise approximately £4.5 million (before expenses) pursuant to the Fundraising. The Placing will be conducted by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this Announcement. The Placing is being conducted through an accelerated bookbuilding process (the "Bookbuild" or the "Bookbuilding Process") which will commence immediately following this Announcement.

The Bookbuild will determine final demand for and participation in the Placing. The Bookbuild is expected to close not later than 4.30 p.m. (London) today, 20 September 2021, but may be closed at such earlier or later time as Arden may after consultation with the Company, in its absolute discretion, determine. The allocations will be determined at the absolute discretion of Arden and will be confirmed orally or by email by Arden following the close of the Bookbuild. A further announcement will be made following the completion of the Bookbuild (the "Result of Bookbuild Announcement").

The Appendix (which forms a part of this Announcement) contains the detailed terms and conditions of the Placing.

The Subscription

Fynamore Asset Management Limited (a company controlled by Nicholas Money-Kyrle) and Tony Best intend to enter into Subscription Agreements to participate in the Fundraising at the Issue Price. Further, each of the following Directors, namely Keith Broadbent, Mark Chapman, Theresa Wallis intend to enter into Subscription Agreements to participate in the Fundraising at the Issue Price. In addition, David Banks intends to participate in the Placing and subscribe for approximately £9,071 of New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. Further details will be announced in the Result of Bookbuild Announcement.

 

Expected timetable:

2021

Announcement of the Fundraising and Bookbuild commences

7.00 a.m. 20 September

Admission and commencement of dealings in the New Shares

8.00 a.m. 23 September

New Shares in uncertificated form expected to be credited to accounts in CREST

As soon as possible after 8.00 a.m. 23 September

Dispatch of definitive share certificates for the New Shares in certificated form

7 October

Admission, settlement and CREST

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the new Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the Fundraising to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission").

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Placing Agreement , settlement for and admission of the new Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM pursuant to the Placing and Subscription is expected to take place on or before 8.00 a.m. on or around 23 September 2021. The Placing is conditional upon, among other things, admission of the Placing Shares becoming effective and the Placing Agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility, of the Company. No representation or warranty express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Arden or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

This Announcement is released by Haydale Graphene Industries Plc and contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"). It is disclosed in accordance with the Group's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055 which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, this Announcement is being made on behalf of the Group by Mark Chapman. This Announcement does not constitute, or form part of, a prospectus relating to the Company, nor does it constitute or contain any invitation or offer to any person, or any public offer, to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares in the Company or advise persons to do so in any jurisdiction, nor shall it, or any part of it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or as an inducement to enter into any contract or commitment with the Company. In particular, the New Ordinary Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 as amended or qualified for sale under the laws of any state of the United States or under the applicable laws of any of Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa, Japan or New Zealand and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) or to any national, resident or citizen of Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa, Japan or New Zealand.

The distribution or transmission of this Announcement and the offering of the New Ordinary Shares in certain jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted or prohibited by law or regulation. Persons distributing this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No action has been taken by the Company that would permit an offering of such shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Company to inform themselves about, and to observe, such restrictions. In particular, this Announcement may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction. Overseas Shareholders and any person (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees), who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward this Announcement to a jurisdiction outside the UK should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.

This Announcement includes "forward-looking statements" which includes all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, or any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "targets", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may", "anticipates", "would", "could" or similar expressions or negatives thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Company's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this Announcement. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law or the AIM Rules.

No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.

Arden, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as nominated adviser, lead broker and bookrunner to the Company in connection with the Placing. Arden will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Arden or for providing advice to any other person in connection with the Placing or any acquisition of shares in the Company. Arden is not making any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement. Arden has not authorised the contents of, or any part of, this Announcement, and no liability whatsoever is accepted by Arden for the accuracy of any information or opinions contained in this Announcement or for the omission of any material information.

The New Ordinary Shares will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Appendix to this Announcement (which forms part of this Announcement) sets out the terms and conditions of the Placing. By participating in the Placing, each person who is invited to and who chooses to participate in the Placing by making or accepting an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including the Appendix) and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Announcement and to be providing the representations, warranties, undertakings and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix.

Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply throughout this Announcement unless the context otherwise requires:

"Act"

the Companies Act 2006, as amended

"Admission"

the admission of the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance with the AIM Rules

"AIM"

the market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange

"AIM Rules"

the AIM Rules for Companies governing the admission to and operation of AIM published by the London Stock Exchange as amended from time to time

"Announcement"

this announcement, including the Appendix

"Arden"

Arden Partners plc, the Company's nominated adviser and broker

"Articles"

the articles of association of the Company in force at the date of this Announcement

"Bookbuilding Process"

the accelerated bookbuildng process through which the Placing is to be conducted by Arden as described in this Announcement

"certificated" or "in certificated form"

in relation to a share or other security, a share or other security that is not in uncertificated form, that is not in CREST

"Company" or "Haydale"

Haydale Graphene Industries Plc a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 07228939 whose registered office is at Clos Fferws, Parc Hendre, Capel Hendre, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18 3BL

"CREST"

the relevant system (as defined in the CREST Regulations 2001) for the paperless settlement of trades and the holding of uncertificated securities, operated by Euroclear, in accordance with the same regulations

"CREST Regulations"

the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3875), as amended

"Directors"

the directors of the Company or any duly authorised committee thereof

"Euroclear"

Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, the operator of CREST

"Existing Ordinary Shares"

the Ordinary Shares in issue as at the date of this Announcement being the entire issued share capital of the Company prior to the Fundraising

"FCA"

the Financial Conduct Authority of the UK

"FSMA"

the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended)

"Fundraising"

together, the Placing the Subscriptions and the Retail Offer

"Group"

together the Company and its subsidiary undertakings

"ISIN"

International Securities Identification Number

"Issue Price"

6 pence

"London Stock Exchange"

London Stock Exchange plc

"MAR"

EU Regulation 596/2014, which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

"member account ID"

the identification code or number attached to any member account in CREST

"New Shares" or "New Ordinary Shares"

together, the Placing Shares the Subscription Shares and the Retail Shares

"Ordinary Shares"

ordinary shares of 2 pence each in the capital of the Company having the rights and being subject to the restrictions contained in the Articles

"Overseas Shareholders"

Shareholders with registered addresses, or who are citizens or residents of, or incorporated in, countries outside of the United Kingdom

"participant ID"

the identification code or membership number used in CREST to identify a particular CREST member or other CREST participant

"Placees"

persons who agree to subscribe for Placing Shares under the Placing

"Placing"

the conditional placing by Arden, as agent of and on behalf of the Company, of the Placing Shares at the Issue Price on the terms and subject to the conditions in the Placing Agreement

"Placing Agreement"

 the conditional agreement dated 20 September 2021 between the Company and Arden, relating to the Placing

"Placing Shares"

means the new Ordinary Shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Placing;

"Primary Bid"

PrimaryBid Limited

"Registrars" 

Share Registrars Limited The Courtyard, 17 West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DR

"Regulatory Information Service"

a service approved by the London Stock Exchange for the distribution to the public of AIM announcements and included within the list on the website of the London Stock Exchange

"Restricted Jurisdictions"

the United States, Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa, Japan, New Zealand or any other jurisdiction where the extension or availability of the Placing would breach any applicable law

"Retail Offer"

the separate offer to retail and other investors to be made by the Company via PrimaryBid which shall be subject to the terms and conditions set out in a subsequent announcement to be made by the Company

"Retail Shares"

any new Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Retail Offer;

"Securities Act"

the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended

"Shareholders"

registered holders of Ordinary Shares

"Subscribers"

certain persons including Keith Broadbent, Mark Chapman, Theresa Wallis, Tony Best and Kynamore Asset Management Limited (a company controlled by Nicholas Money-Kyrle) who intend to subscribe for the Subscription Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements

"Subscriptions"

the proposed conditional subscriptions by the Subscribers for the Subscription Shares at the Issue Price proposed to be made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Subscription Agreements

"Subscription Agreements"

the conditional letter agreements proposed to be entered into between the Company and each of the Subscribers, relating to the Subscriptions

"Subscription Shares"

the 7,939,286 new Ordinary Shares which are proposed to be issued pursuant to the Subscriptions

"UK"

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

"uncertificated" or " in uncertificated form"

a share or other security 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 CREST Regulations, may be transferred by means of CREST

 

APPENDIX

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PLACEES ONLY

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS "ANNOUNCEMENT") ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (1) IF IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA"), QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE "EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION") ("EU QUALIFIED INVESTORS") "); (2) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS WHO (A) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER") (INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS) OR (B) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.) OF THE ORDER AND (3) ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 AS AMENDED, AS IT FORMS PART OF UK LAW AS RETAINED EU LAW AS DEFINED IN, AND BY VIRTUE OF, THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (AS AMENDED) (THE "UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION") ("UK QUALIFIED INVESTORS"); OR (4) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW OR REGULATION. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO.

The Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in the United States. The Placing (as defined below) is being made solely outside the United States to persons in offshore transactions (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S")) meeting the requirements of Regulation S. Persons receiving this announcement (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not forward, distribute, mail or otherwise transmit it in or into the United States or use the United States mails, directly or indirectly, in connection with the Placing.

This Announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for Placing Shares in any Restricted Jurisdiction. This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in a Restricted Jurisdiction unless permitted pursuant to an exemption under the relevant local law or regulation in any such jurisdiction. No action has been taken by the Company, Arden or any Arden Affiliates or Haydale Affiliates (as defined below) that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other publicity material relating to such Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons receiving this Announcement are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

All offers of the Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation and the EU Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus. The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada, no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained for the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or Russia. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Russia or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.

Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.

Any indication in this Announcement of the price at which the Existing Ordinary Shares have been bought or sold in the past cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.

Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into or forms part of this Announcement.

Arden, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting for Haydale and for no one else in connection with the Placing and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) as a client in relation to the Placing or Admission and will not be responsible to anyone other than Haydale for providing the protections afforded to clients of Arden or for affording advice in relation to the Placing or Admission, or any other matters referred to herein.

By participating in the Placing, each person who is invited to and who chooses to participate in the Placing (a "Placee") by making or accepting an oral and/or written legally binding offer to subscribe for Placing Shares is deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including this Appendix) and to be providing the representations, warranties, undertakings, agreements and acknowledgements contained herein.

EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, REGULATORY, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF A SUBSCRIPTION FOR PLACING SHARES.

Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares

The Company has today entered into the Placing Agreement with Arden. Pursuant to the Placing Agreement, Arden has, subject to the terms and conditions set out therein, agreed to use reasonable endeavours, as agent of the Company, to procure subscribers for the Placing Shares pursuant to the Bookbuilding Process described in this Announcement and as set out in the Placing Agreement.

The Placing is not being underwritten. No element of the Fundraising is being underwritten.

The Placing Shares will, when issued, be subject to the Articles, be credited as fully paid and rank pari passu in all respects with each other and with the Existing Ordinary Shares then in issue, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of the Ordinary Shares after the date of Admission.

The Placing Shares will be issued free of any encumbrance, lien or other security interest.

Application for admission to trading on AIM

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Placing Shares to be admitted to AIM. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Placing Agreement ("Conditions"), it is expected that Admission will take place and dealings in the Placing Shares will commence on AIM on or around 8.00 a.m. on or around 23 September 2021.

Bookbuilding Process

Commencing today, Arden will be conducting the Bookbuilding Process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by Placees. This Announcement gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. However, Arden will be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuilding Process as it may, after consultation with the Company, determine. No commissions will be paid by or to Placees in respect of any participation in the Placing or subscription for Placing Shares.

Participation in, and principal terms of, the Bookbuilding Process

Participation in the Placing is by invitation only and will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by Arden. Arden and Arden Affiliates are entitled to participate as Placees in the Bookbuilding Process.

The Bookbuilding Process will establish the number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing.

The book will open with immediate effect. The Bookbuilding Process is expected to close not later than 4.30 p.m. on 20 September 2021, but may be closed at such earlier or later time as Arden may, in its absolute discretion (after consultation with the Company), determine. The Result of Bookbuild Announcement will be released following the close of the Bookbuilding Process.

A bid in the Bookbuilding Process will be made on the terms and conditions in this Announcement and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and, except with Arden's consent, will not be capable of variation or revocation after the close of the Bookbuilding Process.

A Placee who wishes to participate in the Bookbuilding Process should communicate its bid by telephone to its usual sales contact at Arden. Each bid should either state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to subscribe for or a fixed monetary amount at, in either case, the Issue Price. If successful, Arden will re-contact and confirm orally to Placees following the close of the Bookbuilding Process the size of their respective allocations and a trade confirmation will be despatched as soon as possible thereafter. Arden's oral confirmation of the size of allocations and each Placee's oral commitments to accept the same will constitute an irrevocable legally binding agreement in favour of the Company and Arden pursuant to which each such Placee will be required to accept the number of Placing Shares allocated to the Placee at the Issue Price on the terms and subject to the conditions set out herein and in accordance with the Articles. Each Placee's allocation and commitment will be evidenced by a trade confirmation issued to such Placee by Arden. The terms of this Appendix will be deemed incorporated in that trade confirmation.

Arden reserves the right to scale back the number of Placing Shares to be subscribed by any Placee in the event that the Placing is oversubscribed. Arden also reserves the right not to accept offers to subscribe for Placing Shares or to accept such offers in part rather than in whole. The acceptance and, if applicable, scaling back of offers shall be at the absolute discretion of Arden.

Each Placee's obligations will be owed to the Company and to Arden. Following the oral confirmation referred to above, each Placee will also have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the Company and Arden, as agent of the Company, to pay to Arden (or as Arden may direct) in cleared funds an amount equal to the product of the Issue Price and the number of Placing Shares allocated to such Placee.

To the fullest extent permissible by law, none of Arden, any holding company of Arden, any subsidiary of Arden, any subsidiary of any such holding company, any branch, affiliate or associated undertaking of any such company nor any of their respective directors, officers and employees (each an "Arden Affiliate") nor any person acting on their behalf shall have any liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, none of Arden, any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf shall have any liability (including, to the extent legally permissible, any fiduciary duties), in respect of its conduct of the Bookbuilding Process or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as Arden may determine.

Information to Distributors

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "Product Governance Requirements"), which form part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the securities referred to in this Announcement will be subject to a product approval process, which is expected to determine that the securities are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment").

Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, recipients of this Announcement should note that: the price of the securities may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the securities offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the securities is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom.

The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Arden will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the securities.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own Target Market Assessment in respect of the securities and for determining appropriate distribution channels.

Persons who are invited to and who choose to participate in the Placing, by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety and to be making such offer to acquire Placing Shares on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix.

In this Appendix, unless the context otherwise requires, "Placee" means a Relevant Person (including individuals, funds or others) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to take up Placing Shares has been given and who has been invited to participate in the Placing by Arden.

All obligations of Arden under the Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to in this Announcement including without limitation those referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing".

Conditions of the Placing

The Placing is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms.

The obligations of Arden under the Placing Agreement are conditional, amongst other things, on:

1. the warranties on the part of the Company contained in the Placing Agreement being true and accurate and not misleading on and as of the date of the Placing Agreement and at all times during the period up to and including Admission; 

2. the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent that they fall to be performed prior to Admission;

3. the obligations of Arden not having been terminated (as described below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement"); and 

4. Admission occurring not later than 8.00 a.m. on or around 23 September 2021 or such later time and/or date as Arden may agree in writing with the Company (but in any event not later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 September 2021).

If (a) the Conditions of the Placing are not fulfilled (or to the extent permitted under the Placing Agreement waived by Arden), or (b) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will lapse and each Placee's rights and obligations hereunder shall cease and determine at such time and no claim may be made by a Placee in respect thereof. None of Arden, the Company, any Arden Affiliate, nor any holding company of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any subsidiary of any such holding company, any branch, affiliate or associated undertaking of any such company nor any of their respective directors, officers and employees (each a "Haydale Affiliate") shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision it may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition in the Placing Agreement or in respect of the Placing generally.

By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that Arden's rights and obligations in respect of the Placing terminate, inter alia, in the circumstances described below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement".

Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement

Arden may, at any time before Admission and in its absolute discretion, terminate the Placing Agreement with immediate effect if, amongst other things:

1. any statement contained in any investor presentation or any announcement relating to the Placing is untrue, incorrect or misleading in any respect or that matters have arisen which constitute a significant new factor;

2. any of the warranties, was, when given, or becomes, untrue, inaccurate or misleading;

3. the Company has failed to comply materially with any of its obligations under the Placing Agreement;

4. any of the Conditions of the Placing have become incapable of fulfilment; 

5. there has occurred any material adverse change affecting the financial condition, operations, earnings, business affairs or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries; or

6. there has occurred any international crisis, act of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities, change in national or international financial, monetary, economic, industrial, political or market conditions including fluctuations in exchange rates, or the suspension of trading in securities generally on the London Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or trading is limited or minimum prices established on any such exchange, or the declaration of a banking moratorium in London or by the US Federal or New York State authorities or material disruption to any commercial banking or securities settlement services in the US or the UK, or there comes into effect any government regulation which Arden in its absolute discretion believe is, will or may be materially prejudicial to the Company or to the successful outcome of the Placing.

By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees with Arden that the exercise by Arden of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Arden and that Arden need not make any reference to the Placees in this regard and that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, neither the Company, Arden, any Arden Affiliate nor any Haydale Affiliate shall have any liability whatsoever to the Placees in connection with any such exercise or failure to so exercise.

No Prospectus

No offering document or prospectus has been or will be prepared in relation to the Placing and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published or submitted to be approved by the FCA and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this Announcement. In the United Kingdom, this Announcement is being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) does not apply.

Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms to Arden and the Company that it has neither received nor relied on any information, representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of Arden (other than the amount of the relevant Placing participation in the oral confirmation given to Placees and the trade confirmation referred to below), any Arden Affiliate, any persons acting on its or their behalf or the Company or any Haydale Affiliate and none of Arden, any Arden Affiliate, any persons acting on their behalf, the Company, any Haydale Affiliate nor any persons acting on their behalf will be liable for the decision of any Placee to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placee may have obtained or received (regardless of whether or not such information, representation, warranty or statement was given or made by or on behalf of any such persons). By participating in the Placing, each Placee acknowledges to and agrees with Arden for itself and as agent for the Company that, except in relation to the information contained in this Announcement, it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in deciding whether to participate in the Placing. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.

Registration and settlement

Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place within the CREST system, using the DVP mechanism, subject to certain exceptions. Arden reserves the right to require settlement for and delivery of the Placing Shares to Placees by such other means as Arden may deem necessary, including, without limitation, if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within the CREST system within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.

The expected timetable for settlement will be as follows:

Trade Date

21 September 2021

Settlement Date

23 September 2021

ISIN Code

GB00BKWQ1135

SEDOL

BKWQ113

Deadline for input instruction into CREST

3.00 p.m. on 22 September 2021

CREST ID for Arden

601

 

Each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a trade confirmation stating the number of Placing Shares allocated to it, the Issue Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee to Arden and settlement instructions. Placees should settle against the Arden CREST ID shown above. It is expected that such trade confirmation will be despatched on the expected trade date shown above. Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with either the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions which it has in place with Arden.

It is expected that settlement will take place on the Settlement Date shown above on a DVP basis in accordance with the instructions set out in the trade confirmation unless otherwise notified by Arden.

Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above the base rate of Barclays Bank Plc.

Each Placee is deemed to agree that if it does not comply with these obligations, Arden may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to the Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for Arden's own account and profit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by such Placee and it may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf.

If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, the Placee should ensure that the trade confirmation is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.

Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in the Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom the Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares will, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to any levy, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If there are any circumstances in which any other stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax is payable in respect of the issue of the Placing Shares, neither Arden nor the Company shall be responsible for the payment thereof. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.

Representations, warranties and terms

By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf):

1. represents and warrants that it has read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including this Appendix) and acknowledges that its participation in the Placing and the issue of the Placing Shares will be governed by the terms of this Announcement (including this Appendix);

2. acknowledges that no prospectus or offering document has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing and it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Bookbuilding Process, the Placing or the Placing Shares;

3. agrees to indemnify on an after-tax basis and hold harmless each of the Company, Arden, Arden Affiliates and Haydale Affiliates and any person acting on their behalf from any and all costs, losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings in this Announcement and further agrees that the provisions of this Announcement shall survive after completion of the Placing;

4. acknowledges that the Placing Shares will be admitted to AIM and the Company is therefore required to publish and has published certain business and financial information in accordance with the AIM Rules and UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU 596/2014) which forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR") and other applicable laws and regulations (the "Exchange Information"), which includes certain business and financial and the Company's announcements and circulars published in the past 12 months, and that the Placee is able to obtain or access this Exchange Information without undue difficulty and is aware of the contents of the Exchange Information;

5. acknowledges that none of Arden, any Arden Affiliate or any person acting on their behalf has provided, and will not provide, it with any material or information regarding the Placing Shares or the Company; nor has it requested any of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf to provide it with any such material or information; 

6. acknowledges that (i) none of Arden or any Arden Affiliate or any person acting on behalf of any of them is making any recommendations to it, advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Placing and that participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of Arden and that Arden does not have any duties or responsibilities to it (or any person acting on behalf of a Placee) for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings, agreements or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right, and (ii) neither it nor, as the case may be, its clients expect Arden to have any duties or responsibilities to it similar or comparable to the duties of "best execution" and "suitability" imposed by the Conduct of Business Sourcebook contained in the FCA's Handbook of Rules and Guidance, and that Arden is not acting for it or its clients, and that Arden will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing protections afforded to its clients;

7. acknowledges that the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf will be responsible for or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement relating to the Company contained in this Announcement or any information previously published by or on behalf of the Company and none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation or statement contained in this Announcement or otherwise. Each Placee further represents, warrants and agrees that the only information on which it is entitled to rely and on which such Placee has relied in committing to subscribe for the Placing Shares is contained in this Announcement, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares, and that it has relied on its own investigation with respect to the Placing Shares and the Company in connection with its decision to subscribe for the Placing Shares and acknowledges that it is not relying on any other information whatsoever and in particular it is not relying on any investigation that Arden, any Arden Affiliate or any person acting on their behalf may have conducted with respect to the Placing Shares or the Company and none of such persons has made any representations to it, express or implied, with respect thereto;

8. acknowledges that it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of subscribing for the Placing Shares. It further acknowledges that it is experienced in investing in securities of this nature and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of, and is able to sustain, a complete loss in connection with the Placing. It has had sufficient time to consider and conduct its own investigation in connection with its subscription for the Placing Shares, including all tax, legal and other economic considerations and has relied upon its own examination of, and due diligence on, the Company, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved; 

9. unless paragraph 10 applies, represents and warrants that it has neither received nor relied on any inside information for the purposes of MAR and section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 (the "CJA") in relation to the Company or its participation in the Placing;

10. it acknowledges and agrees that, if it has received any inside information (for the purpose of MAR and section 56 of the CJA) in relation to the Company and its securities in advance of the Placing, it has consented to receive inside information for the purposes of MAR and the CJA and it acknowledges that it was an insider or a person who has received a market sounding for the purpose of such legislation and it confirms that it has not: (a) dealt (or attempted to deal) in the securities of the Company (or cancelled or amended an order in relation thereto); (b) encouraged, recommended or induced another person to deal in the securities of the Company (or to cancel or amend an order in relation thereto); (c) unlawfully disclosed inside information to any person, in each case, prior to the information being made publicly available;

11. acknowledges that it is not entitled to rely on any information (including, without limitation, any information contained in any management presentation given in relation to the Placing) other than that contained in this Announcement (including this Appendix) and any Exchange Information and represents and warrants that it has not relied on any representations relating to the Placing, the Placing Shares or the Company other than the information contained in this Announcement or in any Exchange Information;

12. acknowledges that it has not relied on any information relating to the Company contained in any research reports prepared by Arden or any Arden Affiliate or any person acting on their behalf and understands that (i) none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf has or shall have any liability for any public information relating to the Company or otherwise or any representation; (ii) none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate, nor any person acting on their behalf has or shall have any liability for any additional information that has otherwise been made available to such Placee, whether at the date of publication, the date of this Announcement or otherwise; and that (iii) none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate, nor any person acting on their behalf makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of such information, whether at the date of publication, the date of this Announcement or otherwise; 

13. represents and warrants that (i) it is entitled to acquire the Placing Shares for which it is subscribing under the laws and regulations of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it; (ii) it has fully observed such laws and regulations and obtained all such governmental and other guarantees and other consents and authorities which may be required or necessary in connection with its subscription for Placing Shares and its participation in the Placing and has complied with all other necessary formalities in connection therewith; (iii) it has all necessary capacity to commit to participation in the Placing and to perform its obligations in relation thereto and will honour such obligations; (iv) it has paid any issue, transfer or other taxes due in connection with its subscription for Placing Shares and its participation in the Placing in any territory; and (v) it has not taken any action which will or may result in the Company, Arden or any Arden Affiliate or Haydale Affiliate or any person acting on their behalf being in breach of the legal and/or regulatory requirements of any territory in connection with the Placing;

14. represents and warrants that it understands that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and are not being offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

15. represents and warrants that its acquisition of the Placing Shares has been or will be made in an "offshore transaction" as defined in and pursuant to Regulation S;

16. represents and warrants that it will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of the Placing Shares in the United States except in accordance with Regulation S or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

17. represents and warrants that if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation: (a) any Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in the United Kingdom or to which the UK Prospectus Regulation otherwise applies other than UK Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Arden has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where Placing Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in the United Kingdom other than UK Qualified Investors, the offer of those Placing Shares to it is not treated under the UK Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;

18. represents and warrants that, if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the EU Prospectus Regulation: (i) the Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any member state of the EEA or to which the EU Prospectus Regulation otherwise applies other than EU Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent Arden has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where Placing Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any member state of the EEA other than EU Qualified Investors, the offer of those Placing Shares to it is not treated under the EU Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;

19. represents and warrants that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to the public in any member state of the EEA or the United Kingdom except in circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation which do not result in any requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation;

20. represents and warrants that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) relating to the Placing Shares in circumstances in which it is permitted to do so pursuant to section 21 of FSMA;

21. represents and warrants that it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Placing Shares in, from or otherwise involving, the United Kingdom;

22. represents and warrants that it has complied with its obligations: (i) under the CJA and MAR; (ii) in connection with the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it and it has complied, and will fully comply, with all such laws (including where applicable, the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Terrorism Act 2000, the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017) and that it is not a person: (a) with whom transactions are prohibited under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 or any economic sanction programmes administered by, or regulations promulgated by, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury; (b) named on the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by HM Treasury of the United Kingdom; or (c) subject to financial sanctions imposed pursuant to a regulation of the European Union or a regulation adopted by the United Nations ((i), (ii), (a) and (b), together, the "Regulations") and rules and guidance on anti-money laundering produced by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and, if it is making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations; and it is permitted to subscribe for Placing Shares in accordance with the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it and it has complied, and will fully comply, with all such laws (including where applicable, the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the Terrorism Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended) and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017);

23. if in the United Kingdom, represents and warrants that: (a) it is a person having professional experience in matters relating to investments who falls within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the FPO, or (b) it is a person who falls within Article 49(2) (a) to (d) ("High Net Worth Companies, Unincorporated Associations etc.") of the FPO and (c) it is a qualified investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation and (d) it is person to whom this Announcement may otherwise lawfully be communicated;

24. represents and warrants that its participation in the Placing would not give rise to an offer being required to be made by it or any person with whom it is acting in concert pursuant to Rule 9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;

25. undertakes that it (and any person acting on its behalf) will pay for the Placing Shares acquired by it in accordance with this Announcement and with any trade confirmation sent by Arden (or on its behalf) to it in respect of its allocation of Placing Shares and its participation in the Placing on the due time and date set out herein against delivery of such Placing Shares to it, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other Placees or sold as Arden may, in its absolute discretion, determine and it will remain liable for any shortfall below the net proceeds of such sale and the placing proceeds of such Placing Shares and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties due pursuant to the terms set out or referred to in this Announcement) which may arise upon the sale of such Placee's Placing Shares on its behalf;

26. acknowledges that none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf is making any recommendations to it or advising it regarding the suitability or merits of any transaction it may enter into in connection with the Placing, and acknowledges that none of Arden, nor any Arden Affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf has any duties or responsibilities to it for providing advice in relation to the Placing or in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement or for the exercise or performance of any of Arden's rights and obligations thereunder, including any right to waive or vary any condition or exercise any termination right contained therein;

27. undertakes that (i) the person whom it specifies for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be (a) the Placee or (b) the Placee's nominee, as the case may be, (ii) neither Arden nor the Company will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement and (iii) the Placee and any person acting on its behalf agrees to acquire the Placing Shares on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to the CREST stock account of Arden which will hold them as settlement agent as nominee for the Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions with payment for the Placing Shares being made simultaneously upon receipt of the Placing Shares in the Placee's stock account on a delivery versus payment basis;

28. acknowledges that any agreements entered into by it pursuant to these terms and conditions, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with such agreements, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and it submits (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any person on whose behalf it is acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract;

29. acknowledges that it irrevocably appoints any director of Arden as its agent for the purposes of executing and delivering to the Company and/or its registrars any documents on its behalf necessary to enable it to be registered as the holder of any of the Placing Shares agreed to be taken up by it under the Placing;

30. represents and warrants that it is not a resident of any Restricted Jurisdiction and acknowledges that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered nor will a prospectus be cleared in respect of the Placing Shares under the securities legislation of any Restricted Jurisdiction and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, taken up, renounced, delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, within any Restricted Jurisdiction;

31. represents and warrants that any person who confirms to Arden on behalf of a Placee an agreement to subscribe for Placing Shares and/or who authorises Arden to notify the Placee's name to the Company's registrar, has authority to do so on behalf of the Placee;

32. acknowledges that the agreement to settle each Placee's acquisition of Placing Shares (and/or the acquisition of a person for whom it is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to an acquisition by it and/or such person direct from the Company of the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there were any such arrangements, or the settlement related to other dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company nor Arden will be responsible. If this is the case, the Placee should take its own advice and notify Arden accordingly;

33. acknowledges that when a Placee or any person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with Arden, any money held in an account with Arden on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the relevant rules and regulations of the FCA. The Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules; as a consequence, this money will not be segregated in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by Arden in the course of its business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of Arden (as the case may be);

34. acknowledges and agrees that in order to ensure compliance with the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Terrorism Act 2000, the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended) the Terrorism Act 2006, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, and, to the extent applicable, any related or similar rules, regulations of any body having jurisdiction in respect thereof and the Money Laundering Sourcebook of the FCA, Arden (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars may, in their absolute discretion, require verification of its identity. Pending the provision to Arden or the Company's registrars, as applicable, of evidence of identity, definitive certificates in respect of the Placing Shares may be retained at Arden's absolute discretion or, where appropriate, delivery of the Placing Shares to it in uncertificated form may be delayed at Arden's or the Company's registrars', as the case may be, absolute discretion. If within a reasonable time after a request for verification of identity Arden (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars have not received evidence satisfactory to them, Arden and/or the Company may, at its absolute discretion, terminate its commitment in respect of the Placing, in which event the monies payable on acceptance of allotment will, if already paid, be returned without interest to the account of the drawee's bank from which they were originally debited;

35. acknowledges and understands that the Company, Arden, and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, agreements, undertakings and acknowledgements;

36. acknowledges that the basis of allocation will be determined by Arden at its absolute discretion and that the right is reserved to reject in whole or in part and/or scale back any participation in the Placing;

37. irrevocably authorises the Company and Arden to produce this Announcement pursuant to, in connection with, or as maybe required by any applicable law or regulation, administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters set forth herein;

38. acknowledges and agrees that its commitment to subscribe for Placing Shares on the terms set out herein will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may in future be made to the terms of the Placing and that Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to the Company's conduct of the Placing;

39. acknowledges and agrees that time is of the essence as regards its obligations under this Appendix; 

40. acknowledges and agrees that any document that is to be sent to it in connection with the Placing will be sent at its risk and may be sent to it at any address provided by it to Arden;

41. acknowledges and agrees that it will be bound by the terms of the Articles; and

42. acknowledges and agrees that these terms and conditions in this Appendix and all documents into which this Appendix is incorporated by reference or otherwise validly forms a part and/or any agreements entered into pursuant to these terms and conditions and all agreements to acquire shares pursuant to the Placing will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and it submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract, except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with any interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by the Company or Arden in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange.

The acknowledgements, agreements, undertakings, representations and warranties referred to above are given to each of the Company and Arden (for their own benefit and, where relevant, the benefit of any Arden Affiliate or Haydale Affiliate and any person acting on their behalf) and are irrevocable.

No claim shall be made against the Company, Arden, any Arden Affiliate, any Haydale Affiliate, or any other person acting on behalf of any of such persons by a Placee to recover any damage, cost, loss, charge or expense which it may suffer or incur by reason of or arising from or in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder or otherwise howsoever in connection with the Placing or Admission.

No UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax should be payable to the extent that the Placing Shares are issued or transferred (as the case may be) into CREST to, or to the nominee of, a Placee who holds those shares beneficially (and not as agent or nominee for any other person) within the CREST system and registered in the name of such Placee or such Placee's nominee.

Any arrangements to issue or transfer the Placing Shares into a depositary receipts system or a clearance service or to hold the Placing Shares as agent or nominee of a person to whom a depositary receipt may be issued or who will hold the Placing Shares in a clearance service, or any arrangements subsequently to transfer the Placing Shares, may give rise to stamp duty and/or stamp duty reserve tax, for which neither the Company nor Arden will be responsible and the Placee to whom (or on behalf of whom, or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares has given rise to such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax undertakes to pay such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and Arden in the event that any of the Company or any Haydale Affiliate or Arden or any Arden Affiliate has incurred any such liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax.

In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any capital duty, stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the UK by them or any other person on the acquisition by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares.

All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment. Arden shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any such changes.

This Announcement has been issued by the Company and is the sole responsibility of the Company.

Each Placee, and any person acting on behalf of the Placee, acknowledges that Arden does not owe any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.

Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges and agrees that Arden or any Arden Affiliate may, at their absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares.

The rights and remedies of Arden and the Company under these terms and conditions are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.

Each Placee may be asked to disclose in writing or orally to Arden and, if so, undertakes to provide:

1. if he is an individual, his nationality; 

2. if he is a discretionary fund manager, the jurisdiction in which the funds are managed or owned; and

3. such other "know your client" information as Arden may reasonably request.

References to time in this Announcement are to London time, unless otherwise stated.

All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment.

The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

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.RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
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