Last checked at 2 Apr 2020 07:01
2 April 2020
Helios Towers plc (the "Company") announces arrangements relating to the Annual General Meeting and COVID-19
In the 2020 Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Company (the "AGM") posted to shareholders on 12 March 2020, the Company announced it would consider whether any special security arrangements are necessary at the AGM in light of the COVID-19 situation.
The UK Government has since announced compulsory measures (the "Stay At Home Measures") prohibiting, amongst other things, public gatherings of more than two people who are not members of the same family or where the gathering is not essential for work purposes.
The Company still intends to hold its AGM on 9 April 2020 as previously notified. However, consistent with the Stay at Home Measures, only two employees of the Company (who are also shareholders or proxies for shareholders) will attend in person. This represents the minimum number of persons legally required to form a quorate meeting.
The Company's primary concern is for the health and welfare of its shareholders, employees and Board members and, consistent with the Stay at Home Measures, shareholders and any persons other than the two employees referred to above will not be permitted to attend the AGM in person. Any person seeking to attend the meeting will not be permitted entry as the venue is now closed to the public.
Shareholders are strongly encouraged to vote by proxy and to appoint the Chair of the meeting as proxy. Details on how to vote by proxy are available in the Notice of AGM available on the Company's website at https://www.heliostowers.com/investors/annual-general-meeting/. Please note that if a shareholder intends to lodge a hard copy Form of Proxy, this should be completed in accordance with the instructions printed on it as soon as possible and must be received by 10.00 BST on 7 April 2020. Online proxy appointments may be submitted via www.eproxyappointment.com using the details provided on the paper Form of Proxy or email bulletin sent to shareholders. Shareholders voting by CREST should refer to the notes on the Form of Proxy and/or Notice of AGM.
In order to provide an opportunity for shareholders to raise questions of the Board, the Company is arranging for a conference call with the Board to be held at 12.00 BST on 9 April 2020. Dial in details for the conference call are:
Europe & International | +44 20 3936 2999 |
USA (local) | 1 646 664 1960 |
South Africa | 087 550 8441 |
Passcode | 366135 |
The Company would like to thank shareholders for their co-operation and understanding during these challenging and extraordinary times.
The results of the AGM will be published via regulatory news service as soon as possible after the meeting and published on our website https://www.heliostowers.com/investors/annual-general-meeting/.
The Company will continue to monitor government advice, which is evolving rapidly. In the event the AGM arrangements have to change, the Company will issue a further communication via a regulatory news service and on the Company's Investor Relations page.
The Company's Investor Relations team remain available to shareholders for any questions related to the AGM or the Company more generally.
For further information, please go to: www.heliostowers.com or contact:
Investor RelationsManjit Dhillon+44 (0)776 723 7010Media Relations Edward Bridges / Stephanie EllisFTI Consulting LLP+44 (0)20 3727 1000
About Helios Towers ("HT")
· Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications tower infrastructure company in Africa, having established one of the continent's most extensive tower portfolios with close to 7,000 towers across five countries. It builds, owns and operates telecom passive infrastructure, providing services to mobile network operators.
· HT owns and operates more sites than any other operator in each of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"), and Congo Brazzaville. It is also a leading operator in Ghana with a strong urban presence and established a presence in South Africa in 2019.
· HT pioneered the model in Africa of buying towers that were held by single operators and providing services utilising the tower infrastructure to the seller and other operators. This allows wireless operators to outsource non-core tower-related activities, enabling them to focus their capital and managerial resources on providing higher quality services more cost-effectively.