Hansard Regulatory News (HSD)

27th June 2024

Distribution Agreement announced between

Hansard International Limited and Guardian Japan KK

Hansard Global plc is pleased to announce that Hansard International Limited (Hansard) has formally signed a Distribution Agreement with Guardian Japan Kabushiki Kaisha (Guardian).

Guardian is incorporated in Japan and registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau.

The Distribution Agreement allows Guardian to promote and distribute Hansard's products in Japan.

To support this opportunity, Hansard has provided two Japanese-regulated products for the domestic market. These products are available to Japanese resident investors looking to access a diverse range of international funds via Hansard's award-winning online platform.

This development represents an important initial step in the realisation of Hansard's long-term strategy associated with its Japanese investment management registration, via new product offerings and new distribution channels in Japan.

For further information:

Hansard Global plc +44 (0) 1624 688 000

Graham Sheward, Group Chief Executive Officer

Email: investor-relations@hansard.com 

Camarco LLP +44 (0) 7990 653 341

Ben Woodford, Hugo Liddy

Market Abuse Regulation statement

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement the inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Notes to editors:

· Hansard Global plc is the holding company of the Hansard Group of companies and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in December 2006. The Group is a specialist long-term savings provider, based in the Isle of Man.

· The Group offers a range of flexible and tax-efficient investment products, designed to appeal to affluent, international investors.

· Hansard does not provide advice on the suitability of any products. Products are available through independent financial advisers only, on the basis that the independent financial adviser is acting on behalf of the applicant.

· The Group utilises a controlled cost distribution model via a network of independent financial advisors and the retail operations of certain financial institutions who provide access to their clients in more than 170 countries. The Group's distribution model is supported by Hansard OnLine, a multi-language internet platform, and is scalable.

· The principal geographic markets in which the Group currently services contract holders and financial advisors are the Middle East & Africa, the Far East, and Latin America. These markets are served by Hansard International Limited and Hansard Worldwide Limited.

· The Group's objective is to grow by attracting new business and positioning itself to adapt rapidly to market trends and conditions. The scalability and flexibility of the Group's operations allow it to enter or develop new geographic markets and exploit growth opportunities within existing markets without the need for significant further investment.

· Guardian is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in Japan as a Type II Business Operator.

· A Type II registration is a Financial Instruments Business Operator registration which enables the holder to promote and distribute investment products, of the type provided by Hansard, to prospective clients.

· Guardian will provide promotion and distribution services for Hansard International Limited's Global Access and Upstream products in Japan. Guardian will conduct operations by utilising its customer base and its infrastructure to undertake the required securities distribution activities by making available the products to Guardian customers.