Marston's PLC Proposed Placing (4797F)

TIDMMARS

RNS Number : 4797F

Marston's PLC

18 May 2017

18 May 2017

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 or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. Please see the important notice at the end of this announcement.

This announcement contains inside information.

MARSTON'S PLC ANNOUNCES A PROPOSED PLACING OF APPROXIMATELY 9.9% ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

Marston's PLC ("Marston's" or the "Company") today announces its intention to conduct a non-pre-emptive cash placing of approximately 57.6 million new ordinary shares in the Company to institutional investors (the "Placing"), which represents approximately 9.9% of the Company's issued share capital (excluding treasury shares). J.P. Morgan Securities PLC, which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove"), and Numis Securities Limited ("Numis") are acting as joint bookrunners (the "Bookrunners").

The Company has also announced today that it has agreed to acquire the Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business from the Charles Wells Group for a cash consideration of GBP55 million, plus working capital adjustments, representing 5.5x EBITDA post synergies. Based in Bedford, Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business is an established high quality brewing business with a portfolio of more than 30 beers including leading brands such as Bombardier, Young's and McEwan's. In addition, the business has UK distribution rights for the Estrella Damm lager brand and other beers under license including Kirin and Erdinger (see separate announcement).

The Company also announced today the agreement to acquire seven pubs in strong locations to enhance its Destination and Premium estate for a consideration of GBP13m with a refurbishment investment of GBP3m, representing 7.8x post investment EBITDA.

Both of these acquisitions (the "Acquisitions") are expected to complete in June 2017.

The Acquisitions are expected to deliver a combined ROIC in excess of 15% in the first full year and to be EPS neutral in the first full year and accretive thereafter. Pro forma Net debt:EBITDA is expected to reduce by 0.3x post completion of the Acquisitions.

In addition, Marston's is today issuing its interim results covering the 26 weeks ended 1 April 2017 (see separate announcement).

Background to the placing - use of proceeds

The net proceeds from the Placing will be used to fund the consideration for the Acquisitions.

The Placing is not conditional upon completion of the Acquisitions. In the event that the Acquisitions do not complete, Marston's will retain the net proceeds of the Placing for potential investment opportunities and general corporate purposes.

The Placing

The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix. The Bookrunners will commence a bookbuilding process in respect of the Placing ("Bookbuild"). The book will open with immediate effect following this announcement.

The price per ordinary share at which the Placing Shares (defined below) are to be placed (the "Placing Price") will be decided at the close of the Bookbuild. The timing of the closing of the Bookbuild, the Placing Price and allocations are at the discretion of Marston's and the Bookrunners. When issued, the Placing Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of 7.375 pence each in the share capital of the Company, including the right to receive all dividends (including the interim dividend of 2.7p per share announced today) and other distributions declared, made or paid on or in respect of such shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.

Application will be made for the Placing Shares to be admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange (together, "Admission"). It is expected that Admission will take place at 8.00am on 22 May 2017 (or such later date as may be agreed between the Company and the Bookrunners). The Placing is conditional upon, inter alia, Admission becoming effective. The Placing is also conditional on the placing agreement between the Company and the Bookrunners not being terminated.

The Appendix to this announcement (which forms part of this announcement) sets out further information relating to the Bookbuild and the terms and conditions of the Placing.

 
 Contacts 
 Marston's PLC                                   [phone] 
 Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive 
 Andrew Andrea, Chief Financial and Corporate 
  Development Officer 
 
                                                   [phone] 
   J.P. Morgan Cazenove                            4000 
 James Mitford 
 Behzad Arbabzadah 
 Laurene Danon 
 
                                                   [phone] 
   Numis                                           1000 
 Christopher Wilkinson 
 Michael Burke 
 Andrew Hackney 
 
                                                   [phone] 
   Instinctif Partners                             2020 
 Justine Warren 
 Matthew Smallwood 
 

About Marston's

Marston's is a leading pub operator and independent brewer. It has an estate of 1,565 pubs situated nationally, comprising managed, franchised and leased pubs. It is the UK's leading brewer of premium cask and bottled ales, including Marston's Pedigree, Wainwright, Lancaster Bomber and Hobgoblin. The beer portfolio also includes Banks's, Jennings, Wychwood, Ringwood, Brakspear and Mansfield beers. Marston's employs around 13,500 people.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON THE PLACING FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDES STATEMENTS, ESTIMATES, OPINIONS AND PROJECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO ANTICIPATED FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE GROUP ("FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS") WHICH REFLECT VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING ANTICIPATED RESULTS TAKEN FROM THE GROUP'S CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN OR FROM PUBLIC SOURCES WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT PROVE TO BE CORRECT. THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD LOOKING TERMINOLOGY, INCLUDING THE TERMS 'ANTICIPATES', 'TARGET', 'BELIEVES', 'ESTIMATES', 'EXPECTS', 'INTS', 'MAY', 'PLANS', 'PROJECTS', 'SHOULD' OR 'WILL', OR, IN EACH CASE, THEIR NEGATIVE OR OTHER VARIATIONS OR COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY OR BY DISCUSSIONS OF STRATEGY, PLANS, OBJECTIVES, GOALS, FUTURE EVENTS OR INTENTIONS. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS REFLECT CURRENT EXPECTATIONS BASED ON THE CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN AND VARIOUS OTHER ASSUMPTIONS AND INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND SHOULD NOT BE READ AS GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS AND WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE ACCURATE INDICATIONS OF WHETHER OR NOT SUCH RESULTS WILL BE ACHIEVED. AS A RESULT, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD NOT RELY ON SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DUE TO THE INHERENT UNCERTAINTY THEREIN. NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IS GIVEN AS TO THE COMPLETENESS OR ACCURACY OF THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF SUCH STATEMENTS AND, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY THE FCA, THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, THE LISTING RULES OR APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE PUBLICLY ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE. NO STATEMENT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS INTED 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.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPIX (TOGETHER THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2(7) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000, AS AMED, ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS") BEING PERSONS FALLING WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE (WHICH MEANS DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC AND INCLUDES ANY RELEVANT IMPLEMENTING DIRECTIVE MEASURE IN ANY MEMBER STATE) (THE "PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE"); AND (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, TO QUALIFIED INVESTORS WHO ARE PERSONS WHO (I) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(1) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE "ORDER"); (II) ARE PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ("HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC") OF THE ORDER; OR (III) ARE PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS IN (A) OR (B) TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THIS APPIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY OR ACQUIRE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR AS PART OF A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN EACH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE PLACING SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS" ("QIBS") IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE. NO MONEY, SECURITIES OR OTHER CONSIDERATION FROM ANY PERSON INSIDE THE UNITED STATES IS BEING SOLICITED AND, IF SENT IN RESPONSE TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN INVESTMENT IN PLACING SHARES.

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

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company, J.P. Morgan Securities PLC, which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove"), Numis Securities Ltd ("Numis", and together with J.P. Morgan Cazenove, the "Banks") or any of their respective affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act ("Affiliates")) or any of such persons' directors, officers or employees or any other person as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this Announcement and no liability whatsoever is accepted by the Company, the Banks or any of such persons' Affiliates, directors, officers or employees or any other person for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of such information or opinions or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

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

This Announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire Placing Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is or may be unlawful.

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; 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 United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. Accordingly, subject to certain exceptions or unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable, the Placing Shares may not be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.

Persons distributing any part of this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. 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. Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Company and Banks to inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions.

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

The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange. Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this announcement.

   1.         Details of the Placing 

1.1 J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis have today entered into an agreement with the Company (the "Placing Agreement") under which, subject to certain conditions, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis, as agents for and on behalf of the Company, have agreed to use their reasonable endeavours to procure placees ("Placees") for the Placing Shares at a price to be determined following completion of the Bookbuilding Process (as defined below) or, failing which, to subscribe as principal for the Placing Shares.

1.2 The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive dividends and other distributions declared or made after the date of issue of the Placing Shares. The issue of the Placing Shares is to be effected by way of a cashbox placing. The allotment and issue of the Placing Shares will be made by the Company to Placees in consideration for the transfer to the Company of certain shares in a Jersey-incorporated subsidiary of the Company ("JerseyCo").

1.3 The Company has agreed with the Banks to a 180 day lock-up from Admission, subject to certain exceptions.

   2.         Applications for listing and admission to trading 
   2.1       Applications will be made to the: 

(a) FCA for admission of the Placing Shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List London Stock Exchange; and

(b) London Stock Exchange for admission of the Placing Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.

2.2 It is expected Admission will become effective at 8.00am on 22 May 2017 ("Admission") and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.

   3.         Participation in, and principal terms of, the Placing and Bookbuilding Process 

3.1 J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis are acting as joint bookrunners and each as agent for the Company in connection with the Placing, Applications and Admission. Each Bank is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to the customers of each Bank or for providing advice in relation to the matters described in this Announcement.

3.2 Commencing today, the Banks are conducting an accelerated bookbuilding process (the "Bookbuilding Process") to determine demand for participation in the Placing. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. The Banks will be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuilding Process as they may in their sole discretion determine.

3.3 Participation in the Placing is only available to persons who may lawfully be, and are invited to participate in it by the Banks. Each Bank and its affiliates are each entitled to participate in the Placing and the Bookbuilding Process as principal.

3.4 The Bookbuilding Process will establish a single price per Placing Share payable to the Banks by all Placees whose bids are successful (the "Placing Price"). The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares to be issued will be agreed between the Banks and the Company following completion of the Bookbuilding Process. Any discount to the market price of the Ordinary Shares will be determined in accordance with the Listing Rules as published by the FCA pursuant to Part VI of the FSMA. The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares will be announced on the Regulatory Information Service ("RIS") no later than 10.00 a.m. on 19 May 2017 (the "Pricing Announcement").

3.5 The Bookbuilding Process is expected to close later today, but in any event no later than 7.00 a.m. on 19 May 2017, but at the sole discretion of the Banks the timing of the closing of the books, pricing and allocations may be accelerated or delayed. The Banks may, in agreement with the Company, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuilding Process has closed. The Company reserves the right (upon agreement with the Banks) to reduce or seek to increase the amount to be raised pursuant to the Placing in its absolute discretion

3.6 Any person who wishes to participate in the Bookbuilding Process should communicate their bid by telephone to their usual sales contact at the relevant Bank. Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to acquire at either the Placing Price which is ultimately established by the Company and the Banks or at prices up to a price limit specified in its bid.

3.7 Each of the Banks reserves the right not to accept bids or to accept bids in part rather than in whole. The acceptance of the bids shall be at the Banks' absolute discretion.

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

3.9 Each prospective Placee's allocation will be confirmed orally by one of Banks following the close of the Bookbuilding Process. That oral confirmation shall constitute an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon that person (who will at that point become a Placee) to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's articles of association.

3.10 Each prospective Placee's allocation and commitment will be evidenced by a contract note issued to such Placee by one of the Banks. The terms of this Appendix will be deemed incorporated by reference therein.

3.11 Each Placee will also have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the relevant Bank, to pay to it (or as it may direct) in cleared funds an amount equal to the product of the Placing Price and such number of Placing Shares that such Placee has agreed to acquire.

3.12 Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Placing will be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and Settlement".

3.13 All obligations under the Bookbuilding Process and the Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing" and to the Placing not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement".

3.14 By participating in the Bookbuilding Process, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.

3.15 To the fullest extent permissible by law, neither of the Banks nor any of their Affiliates shall have any liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, neither of the Banks nor any of their Affiliates shall have any liability (including, to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the Banks' conduct of the Bookbuilding Process or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as the Banks and the Company may determine.

3.16 To the fullest extent permitted by law and applicable FCA rules, neither (i) J.P. Morgan Cazenove, (ii) Numis, (iii) any of J.P. Morgan Cazenove's or Numis' directors, officers, employees or consultants, or (iv) to the extent not contained with (i) to (iii), any person connected with J.P. Morgan Cazenove or Numis as defined in FSMA ((i) to (iv) being together "affiliates" and individually an "affiliate"), shall have any liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) to Placees or to any person other than the Company in respect of the Placing.

   4.         Conditions of the Placing 

4.1 J.P. Morgan Cazenove's and Numis' obligations under the Placing Agreement in respect of the Placing Shares are conditional on, amongst other things:

(a) the warranties 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 before Admission by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting;

(b) the Company allotting, subject only to Admission, the Placing Shares in accordance with the Placing Agreement;

(c) certain publication of announcement obligations (including with respect to this Announcement);

(d) the fulfilment by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement which are required to be performed or satisfied on or prior to Admission;

(e) the obligations of the Banks under the Placing Agreement not having been terminated prior to Admission; and

(f) Admission occurring by 8.00am on 22 May 2017 (or such later time and date as the Banks and the Company may agree).

4.2 If (i) any condition contained in the Placing Agreement in relation to the Placing Shares is not fulfilled or waived by the Banks, by the respective time or date where specified (or such later time or date as the Company and the Banks may agree), (ii) any such condition becomes incapable of being fulfilled or (iii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Placing will not proceed and the Placee's rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.

4.3 The Banks may, at their discretion and upon such terms as they think fit, waive compliance by the Company with the whole or any part of any of the Company's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement, save that conditions (b) and (f) above relating to Admission may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect the Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.

4.4 Neither the Banks nor the Company 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 they may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or the date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally, and by participating in the Placing each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Banks.

   5.         Termination of the Placing Agreement 

5.1 Each of J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis is entitled, at any time prior to Admission, to terminate the Placing Agreement in respect of the Placing Shares in accordance with the terms of the Placing Agreement by giving notice to the Company in certain circumstances, including a breach of the warranties given to the Banks in the Placing Agreement, the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under the Placing Agreement or a material adverse change in the Group's condition or prospects.

5.2 By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by either Bank of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of either Bank and that it need not make any reference to Placees and that it nor the Company (or its directors, officers or employees) shall have no liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise.

   6.         No prospectus 

6.1 No offering document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA in relation to the Placing or the Placing Shares and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this Announcement (including this Appendix) and the Exchange Information (as defined below).

6.2 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 that it has neither received nor relied on any other information (other than the Exchange Information), representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company or the Banks or any other person and neither the Banks nor the Company nor any other person will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.

   7.         Registration and settlement 

7.1 Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares (ISIN:GB00B1JQDM80) following Admission will take place within the system administered by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited ("CREST"), subject to certain exceptions. The Banks and the Company reserve the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the Placing Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees in certificated form if, in the Banks' and the Company's opinion, 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 any Placee's jurisdiction.

7.2 Following close of the Bookbuild Process, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a contract note trade confirmation stating the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee to Numis and settlement instructions. 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 that it has in place with the Banks.

7.3 The Company will deliver the Placing Shares a CREST account operated by Numis as agent for the Company and Numis will enter its delivery (DEL) instruction into the CREST system. Numis will hold any Placing Shares delivered to this account as nominee for the Placees. The input to CREST by a Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant Placing Shares to that Placee against payment.

7.4 It is expected that settlement will take place on 22 May 2017 on a T+2 basis in accordance with the instructions set out in the contract note.

7.5 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 LIBOR as determined by Numis.

7.6 Each Placee agrees that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the relevant Bank may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the relevant Bank's account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall between the net proceeds of such sale and the placing proceeds of such Placing Shares and will be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties t) which may arise upon the sale of such Placee's Placing Shares on its behalf.

7.7 If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the contract note is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.

7.8 Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax.

7.9 Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.

   8.         Representations and warranties 

8.1 By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) acknowledges, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) that:

(a) it has read and understood the Announcement (including the Appendix) and the Acquisition Announcement in its entirety and its subscription for the Placing Shares is subject to and based on the terms and conditions of the Placing as referred to and included in the Announcement and undertakes not to redistribute or duplicate this Announcement;

(b) no offering document or prospectus has been prepared in connection with the Placing and that it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Placing;

(c) the Ordinary Shares are listed on the Official List and are admitted to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, and the Company is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the rules and practices of the London Stock Exchange and/or the FCA (collectively "Exchange Information"), which includes a description of the nature of the Company's business and the Company's most recent balance sheet and profit and loss account and that it is able to obtain or access such information or comparable information concerning any other publicly traded company without undue difficulty;

(d) (i) it has made its own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the terms and conditions of the Placing and has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing and has satisfied itself that the information is still current; (ii) none of the Banks, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, or will provide it, with any material regarding the Placing Shares in addition to this Announcement; and (iii) it has not requested J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis, the Company or any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;

(e) the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that neither the Banks, nor any of their affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf has or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in this Announcement or any information previously or concurrently published (including the Acquisition Announcement) by or on behalf of the Company and will not be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation or statement contained in this Announcement or elsewhere;

(f) the only information on which it has relied in committing itself to acquire the Placing Shares is contained in this Announcement and any Exchange Information and that it has not received or relied on any information given or any representations, warranties or statements, express or implied, made by J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis or the Company or any of their affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them and none of J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis, the Company, any of their affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them will be liable for its decision to accept an invitation to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation, warranty or statement other than that contained in this Announcement and any Exchange Information;

(g) it has neither received nor relied on any confidential price sensitive information concerning the Company in accepting this invitation to participate in the Placing and is not purchasing Placing Shares on the basis of material non-public information;

(h) it has the funds available to pay for the Placing Shares it has agreed to acquire and acknowledges, agrees and undertakes that it will pay the total subscription amount in accordance with the terms of this Announcement on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other acquirers or sold at such price as the relevant Bank determines;

(i) it: (i) is entitled to acquire the Placing Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions; (ii) has fully observed such laws; (iii) has the requisite capacity and authority and is entitled to enter into and to perform its obligations as a subscriber for Placing Shares and will honour such obligations; and (iv) has obtained all necessary consents and authorities (including, without limitation, in the case of any person on whose behalf it is acting, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this Announcement) to enable it to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations in relation thereto and, in particular, if it is a pension fund or investment company it is aware of and acknowledges it is required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to its subscription for Placing Shares;

(j) unless otherwise specifically agreed with the Banks, it is not, and any person who it is acting on behalf of is not, and at the time the Placing Shares are subscribed will not be, a resident of, or with an address in, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa, and it acknowledges and agrees that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered or otherwise qualified under the securities legislation of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and may not be offered, sold, or acquired, directly or indirectly, within those jurisdictions;

(k) it is a person of a kind described in (i) Article 19(5) (Investment Professionals) and/or 49(2) (high net worth companies etc.) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, and/or an authorised person as defined in section 31 of FSMA; and (ii) section 86(7) of FSMA ("Qualified Investor"), being a person falling within Article 2.1(e) of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended (the "Prospectus Directive"). For such purposes, it undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage and (if applicable) dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business only;

(l) 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 section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person and it acknowledges and agrees that this Announcement has not been approved by Numis in its capacity as an authorised person under section 21 of FSMA and it may not therefore be subject to the controls which would apply if it was made or approved as financial promotion by an authorised person;

(m) it is aware of and acknowledges that it has complied with 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;

(n) it will not make any offer to the public of the Placing Shares and has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the European Economic Area prior to Admission except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted in and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of section 85(1) of FSMA or an offer to the public in any other member state of the European Economic Area within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive (which includes any relevant implementing measure in any Member State of the European Economic Area);

(o) it has not been engaged to acquire the Placing Shares on behalf of any other person who is not a Qualified Investor unless the terms on which it is engaged enable it to make decisions concerning the acceptance of offers of transferable securities on the client's behalf without reference to the client as described in section 86(2) of FSMA;

(p) it is aware of and acknowledges that it is required to comply with its obligations in connection with money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (the "Regulations") and, if 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;

(q) it is aware of the obligations regarding insider dealing in the Criminal Justice Act 1993, with all applicable provisions of FSMA, the EU Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and confirms that it has and will continue to comply with those obligations;

(r) the allocation, allotment, issue and delivery to it, or the person specified by it for registration as a holder of Placing Shares, will not give rise to a stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax liability under any of sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depositary receipts and clearance services) and that no instrument under which it acquires Placing Shares (whether as principal, agent or nominee) would be subject to stamp duty or the increased rates referred to in those sections and that it, or the person specified by it for registration as a holder of Placing Shares, is not participating in the Placing as nominee or agent for any person or persons to whom the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares would give rise to such a liability or in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer Placing Shares into a clearance service;

(s) it, or the person specified by it for registration as a holder of the Placing Shares, will be liable for any stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto), if any, payable on acquisition of any of the Placing Shares or the agreement to acquire the Placing Shares and acknowledges and agrees that none of J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of them will be responsible for any such liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to participate in the Placing, and agrees to indemnify the Company, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis on an after--tax basis in respect of the same, on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to the CREST stock account of Numis who will hold them as nominee on behalf of such Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions;

(t) neither of the Banks, nor any of their affiliates, nor any person acting on behalf of any of them has or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in this Announcement or for any information previously published by or on behalf of the Company or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available or filed information or any representation, warranty or undertaking relating to the Company, and will not be liable for its decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation, warranty or statement contained in this Announcement or elsewhere, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall exclude any liability of any person for fraud;

(u) neither of the Banks, nor any of their affiliates, nor 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 its participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of either Bank and that neither Bank has duties or responsibilities to it for providing the protections afforded to its clients or customers under the rules of the FCA, for providing advice in relation to the Placing, in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement or 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;

(v) in order to ensure compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, each Bank (for themselves 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 J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis or the Company's registrars, as applicable, of evidence of identity, definitive certificates in respect of the Placing Shares may be retained at J.P. Morgan Cazenove's or Numis' absolute discretion or, where appropriate, delivery of the Placing Shares to it in uncertificated form, may be retained at Numis' or the Company's registrars', as the case may be, absolute discretion. If within a reasonable time after a request for verification of identity the relevant Bank (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars have not received evidence satisfactory to them, the relevant Bank 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;

(w) each Bank may, and their affiliates acting as an investor for its or their own account(s) may, acquire and/or purchase Placing Shares and, in that capacity may retain, purchase, offer to sell or otherwise deal for its or their own account(s) in the Placing Shares, any other securities of the Company or other related investments in connection with the Placing or otherwise. Accordingly, references in this Announcement to the Placing Shares being offered, subscribed, acquired or otherwise dealt with should be read as including any offer to, or subscription, acquisition or dealing by, J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis and/or any of their respective affiliates acting as an investor for its or their own account(s). Neither J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis nor the Company intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transaction otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so;

(x) these terms and conditions and any agreements entered into by it pursuant to these terms and conditions, and all non-contractual or other obligations arising out of or in connection with them, 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 English courts as regards 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 Numis 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;

(y) the Company and the Banks and their respective affiliates and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing agreements, acknowledgements, representations, warranties and undertakings which are given to Numis, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Company, and are irrevocable;

(z) it irrevocably appoints any duly authorised officer of either Bank as its agent for the purpose 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 for which it agrees to subscribe or purchase upon the terms of this Announcement;

(aa) it will indemnify on an after tax basis and hold the Company, J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Numis and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, undertakings, agreements and acknowledgements in this Appendix and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after completion of the Placing;

(bb) it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters and is required to evaluate the merits and risks of subscribing for the Placing Shares; (ii) 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; and (iii) it has relied upon its own examination and due diligence of the Company and its associates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved and has satisfied itself concerning the relevant tax, legal, currency and other economic consideration relevant to its subscription for Placing Shares; and

(cc) its commitment to acquire Placing Shares on the terms set out herein and in the contract note 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.

Additional representations and warranties relating to the United States.

In addition to the foregoing, by participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) acknowledges, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) that:

(dd) (i) the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or with any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, or approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other United States regulatory authority, (ii) the Placing Shares are being offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act or in a transaction exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements under the Securities Act and (iii) the Placing Shares may not be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred except in transactions not requiring registration under the Securities Act;

(ee) unless it is a QIB in the United States to which the Placing Shares will be offered on a private placement basis, it (i) is, or at the time the Placing Shares are acquired, it will be outside the United States and is not acquiring the Placing Shares for the account or benefit of any person located in the United States, unless the instruction to acquire was received from a person outside the United States and the person giving such instruction has confirmed that it has the authority to give such instruction, and that it has investment discretion over such account, (ii) is acquiring the Placing Shares in an "offshore transaction" (as defined in Regulation S) and (iii) will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of the Placing Shares except in an "offshore transaction" in accordance with Regulation S or in the United States pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

(ff) it is not taking and will not take up any Placing Shares as a result of any "directed selling efforts" as that term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act;

(gg) if unable to provide the representation in (ee) above, (i) it is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A of the Securities Act, (ii) it is subscribing for the Placing Shares for its own account, or for the account managed on behalf of another QIB, and not with a view to any distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act or applicable state law except as set forth below, (iii) if it is acquiring the Placing Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each such account is a QIB, it has sole investment discretion with respect to each such account and they have full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations, warranties and agreements herein on behalf of each such account, (iv) it understands and agrees that the Placing Shares are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and that the Placing Shares (to the extent they are in certificated form), unless otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law, will bear a legend to that effect in addition to such other legends as the Company deems necessary or as are required under applicable law and (v) for so long as the Placing Shares are "restricted securities" (within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act), it will segregate such Placing Shares from any other shares that they hold that are not restricted securities, shall not deposit such shares in any depositary facility established or maintained by a depositary bank and will only transfer such Placing Shares in accordance with the foregoing restrictions;

(hh) the Placing Shares will not be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred by it except (i) outside the United States in an offshore transaction pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, (ii) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a QIB and to whom notice is given that the offer, sale or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (iii) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available), (iv) to the Company, (v) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (vi) pursuant to another available exemption, if any, from registration under the Securities Act, in each case in compliance with all applicable laws;

(ii) the Company may be a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") for US federal income tax purposes, and it could be a PFIC in future years; if the Company is a PFIC, then US taxable investors may be subject to adverse US tax consequences in respect of their investment in the Company's shares; if the Company is a PFIC, US investors may be able to mitigate these adverse US tax consequences by making certain elections for US tax purposes;

(jj) it will notify any transferee to whom it subsequently reoffers, resells, pledges or otherwise transfers the Placing Shares of the foregoing restrictions on transfer; and

(kk) no representation has been made as to the availability of the exemption provided by Rule 144 or any other exemption under the Securities Act for the reoffer, resale, pledge or transfer of the Placing Shares.

8.2 The representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix are given to each Bank for itself and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable.

8.3 The agreement to settle a Placee's subscription (and/or the subscription of a person for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to a subscription by it and/or such person direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being subscribed for in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other subsequent dealing in the Placing Shares, UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company nor J.P. Morgan Cazenove nor Numis 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 UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax undertakes to pay such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis in the event that any of the Company and/or J.P. Morgan Cazenove and/or Numis has incurred any such liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify the relevant Bank accordingly.

8.4 The Company, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis are not liable to bear any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, or other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest or penalties) that arise on a sale of Placing Shares subsequent to their acquisition by Placees.

8.5 In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any 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 United Kingdom by them or any other person on the subscription by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares.

8.6 Each Placee, and any person acting on behalf of the Placee, acknowledges and agrees that neither Bank owes any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.

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

8.8 When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with either Bank, any money held in an account with either Bank 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 rules and regulations of the FCA made under FSMA. The Placee acknowledges and agrees 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 from the relevant Bank's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by the relevant Bank in the course of its own business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of the relevant Bank (as applicable).

8.9 Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

8.10 Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this Announcement.

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

DEFINITIONS

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

"Acquisitions" - the Company's purchase of the Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business and seven Destination and Premium pubs

"Acquisition Announcement" - the announcement issued by the Company on 18 May 2017 in connection with the Company's purchase of the Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business

"Admission" - admission of the Placing Shares to the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market

"Announcement" - this announcement (including the Appendix to this announcement)

"Company" - Marston's PLC

"CREST" - the relevant system (as defined in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001) for the paperless settlement of trades and the holding of uncertificated securities operated by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited

"Enlarged Group" - the Group as enlarged by the Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business

"FCA" - the Financial Conduct Authority

"FSMA" - the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (as amended)

"Group" - the Company and its subsidiary undertakings prior to completion of the Acquisitions

"J.P. Morgan Cazenove" - J.P. Morgan Securities PLC

"London Stock Exchange" - London Stock Exchange PLC

"Numis" - Numis Securities Limited

"Ordinary Shares" - ordinary shares of 7.375 pence each in the capital of the Company

"PFIC" - passive foreign investment company for US federal income tax purposes

"Placing" - the conditional placing of the Placing Shares at the Placing Price by the Banks as agents for and on behalf of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement

"Placing Agreement" - the agreement dated 18 May 2017 between the Company, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Numis relating to the Placing

"Placing Price" - has the meaning given in paragraph 3.4 of this Appendix

"Placing Shares" - has the meaning given in the Announcement

"Prospectus Directive" - the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union 2003/71/EC, as amended

"Securities Act" - the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended

"UK" or "United Kingdom" - the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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May 18, 2017 02:02 ET (06:02 GMT)