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MLVN Malvern International Plc

20.00
-1.00 (-4.76%)
18 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Malvern International Plc LSE:MLVN London Ordinary Share GB00BNBVJZ07 ORD GBP0.01
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -1.00 -4.76% 20.00 19.00 21.00 21.00 20.00 21.00 18,979 11:33:29
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Schools & Education Svcs,nec 6.6M -1.08M -0.0443 -4.51 4.89M

Malvern International PLC Issue of Equity (1211R)

25/06/2020 2:13pm

UK Regulatory


Malvern (LSE:MLVN)
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TIDMMLVN

RNS Number : 1211R

Malvern International PLC

25 June 2020

This announcement contains information which prior to its disclosure was inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation .

25 June 2020

Malvern International plc

("Malvern", the "Company", or the "Group")

Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise approximately GBP1.25 million

Board Changes

Malvern (AIM: MLVN), the global learning and skills development partner, today announces that the Company is carrying out an equity fundraising to raise gross proceeds of approximately GBP1.25 million by way of a placing to raise up to GBP1.15 million and a subscription to raise approximately GBP0.1 million in each case at a price of 0.15 pence per share.

Fundraising Highlights

-- Fundraising by way of a Placing and a Subscription to raise approximately GBP1.25 million through the issue of an aggregate of approximately 833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price.

-- Placing to raise approximately GBP1.15 million through the issue of approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price.

-- Subscription to raise to approximately GBP0.1 million through the issue of 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price.

-- The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used to provide the Company with additional working capital and strengthen the Company's balance sheet. The Directors believe that the net proceeds of the Fundraising should provide sufficient liquidity and flexibility to allow the Company to manage through the period of expected disruption caused by COVID-19.

-- The Fundraising Shares will represent approximately 69 per cent. of the Company's Enlarged Issued Ordinary Share Capital.

-- Appendix to this Announcement (which forms part of this Announcement) contains the definitions used in this Announcement.

Other Highlights

-- The Company has agreed a restructuring of its existing debt with Boost & Co. which provides for a two year capital repayment holiday and interest free period subject to performance conditions.

-- The Company believes trading will be interrupted for some time and is working on the assumption that it will not be until early 2021 that the level of business returns to normal levels.

-- Subject to and with effect from Admission, Richard Mace, will be appointed as the new CEO of the Company

-- GBP169,586 amounts due to creditors expected to be converted into 113,057,613 New Ordinary Shares.

 
 Enquiries: 
 Malvern International plc                www.malverninternational.com 
 Mark Elliott (Non-Executive Chairman)    Via Communications Portfolio 
 
 WH Ireland Limited (Nominated Adviser             www.whirelandcb.com 
  and Broker) 
 Mike Coe / Chris Savidge (Corporate 
  Finance)                                        +44 (0) 207 220 1666 
 Jasper Berry (Corporate Broking)                 +44 (0) 207 220 1666 
 

Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise up to GBP1.25 million

   1.    Introduction 

The Company is pleased to announce the terms of a fundraising to raise GBP1.25 million (before expenses) through a placing and subscription with existing and new investors through the issue of approximately 833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares at a price of 0.15 pence per Fundraising Share.

The Placing, which is being conducted by WH Ireland, comprises the placing of approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. The Subscription comprises approximately 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. The Placing and the Subscription are conditional only upon, compliance by the Company in all material respects of its obligations under the Placing Agreement and the occurrence of Admission.

The Issue Price of 0.15 pence per New Ordinary Share represents a discount of 61 per cent. against the mid-market price of approximately 0.38 pence per share at which the Ordinary Shares were quoted on AIM as at close of trading on 19 May 2020, the last trading day prior to announcement of the Original Fundraising.

   2.    Background to and reasons for the Fundraising 

On 19 March 2020, the Company announced that due to UK Government restrictions its UK schools would be closed with effect from 20 March 2020 and, on 6 April 2020, the Company announced that its school in Singapore would be closed with effect from 7 April 2020 in accordance with Singapore Government guidelines.

The schools in both the UK and Singapore remain physically closed and as yet there is no certainty as to when they will open. The closure of the schools has had a significant impact on revenues and cash inflows. While the Company has taken steps to reduce its cash outflows including all staff taking pay cuts, it nevertheless announced on 29 April 2020 that there was considerable uncertainty as to the Company's prospects and that it anticipated that its existing working capital facilities would be exhausted by the end of May.

On May 2020 the Company announced a fundraising (the "Original Fundraising") for which the necessary authorities were granted by shareholders at a general meeting held on 8 June 2020. However the conditions to the Placing Agreement under which the Original Fundraising was conducted were not satisfied and that fundraising was aborted.

Following the general meeting, discussions have continued between the Board and various stakeholders with a view to securing funding to allow the Company to continue to trade. This has resulted in the Fundraising.

   3.    Details of the Fundraising 

Details of the Placing and Subscription

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to the Placing becoming wholly unconditional, the Company will place a total of 833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Placing raising in aggregate approximately GBP1.15 million (before expenses). The Placing has been conditionally placed by WH Ireland, as agent for the Company with institutional and other investors.

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to the Subscription becoming wholly unconditional, the Company will issue approximately 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Subscription raising up to approximately

GBP0.1   million (before expenses). 

The Placing is conditional on the Subscription monies being received. The Placing and the Subscription are also conditional only upon compliance by the Company in all material respects of its obligations under the Placing Agreement, and the occurrence of Admission.

Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, WH Ireland, as agent for the Company, has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for the New Ordinary Shares at the Placing Price. The Placing is not underwritten.

The Placing Agreement contains warranties from the Company in favour of WH Ireland in relation to, inter alia, the accuracy of the information in this announcement and other matters relating to the Group and its business. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify WH Ireland in relation to certain liabilities it may incur in respect of the Placing. WH Ireland has the right to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances prior to Admission, in particular, in the event of a material breach of the warranties given to WH Ireland in the Placing Agreement, the failure of the Company to comply in any material respect with its obligations under the Placing Agreement, the occurrence of a force majeure event or a material adverse change affecting the condition, or the earnings or business affairs or prospects of the Group as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

The Fundraising Shares will be issued free of all liens, charges and encumbrances and will, when issued, be fully paid, and rank pari passu in all respects with the Existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive dividends and other distributions declared, paid or made after the date of their issue.

Effect of the Fundraising

Upon Admission, and assuming full take-up, the Enlarged Issued Ordinary Share Capital is expected to be 1,204,967,240 Ordinary Shares. On this basis, the Fundraising Shares will represent approximately 69 per cent. of the Company's Enlarged Issued Ordinary Share Capital.

Settlement and dealings

Application has been made for the Existing Ordinary Share Capital (following the subdivision approved by shareholders at the general meeting held on 8 June 2020), the Fundraising Shares and the Creditor Conversion Shares (see paragraph 8 below) to be admitted to trading on AIM and, Admission is expected to become effective at 8.00 a.m. on 30 June 2020.

The Fundraising Shares and the Creditor Conversion Shares will rank, pari passu, in all respects with the New Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared on or after the date on which they are issued. It is expected that CREST accounts will be credited with entitlements to the Fundraising Shares and the Creditor Conversion Shares as soon as practicable after 8.00 a.m. on the day of Admission and that share certificates (where applicable) will be despatched as soon as practicable after Admission.

In accordance with the provisions of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the Company confirms that, following Admission, the Company's issued share capital will comprise 1,204,967,240 Ordinary Shares of 0.1 pence each. All of these Ordinary Shares have equal voting rights and none of the Ordinary Shares are held in Treasury. The total number of voting rights in the Company will therefore be 1,204,967,240 on Admission.

Trading in Company's Ordinary Shares

Trading in the Company's Ordinary Shares on AIM was suspended pursuant to Market Notice N12/20 released on 4 June. The Company expects the suspension to be lifted once the settlement of outstanding trades has improved. The Company will provide a further update regarding the suspension shortly after Admission.

   4.    Use of proceeds 

The net cash proceeds of the Fundraising, are expected to be approximately GBP1.15 million. These proceeds will be use to supplement the Company's working capital resources and strengthen the Company's balance sheet with a view to providing sufficient liquidity and flexibility to allow the Company to manage through the period of expected disruption caused by COVID-19.

The Company believes trading will be interrupted for some time and is working on the assumption that it will not be until early in 2021 that the level of business returns to normal levels.

Given there is no certainty as to how long the COVID-19 will persist and how quickly business will return to normal levels therefore there is no guarantee that the proceeds of the Fundraising will be sufficient to support Malvern's operations until the Company reaches cash flow break even.

   5.    Debt Restructuring 

In August 2019 the Company entered into a loan agreement with funds managed by Boost & Co. details of which were set out in an announcement dated 27 August 2019. A first tranche of GBP2.6 million was drawn immediately and remains outstanding.

Pursuant to recent discussions and to facilitate an equity fundraise, Boost & Co. has agreed to a restructuring of the repayments of its loan.

The key features of the agreement are that Boost & Co has agreed that in the period between and March 2020 and March 2022 (the "Standstill Period") to grant a capital and interest repayment holiday subject to improved revenue performance triggers.

The loan will continue to amortise on its original terms from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2024, however, all capital payments not paid in the Standstill Period, up to an amount equal to GBP450,000, shall be paid as a bullet payment on 31 July 2024 or can be paid earlier by the Company with no penalty.

Pursuant to the Debt Restructuring, the Company has agreed to issue warrants to Boost & Co over 33,333,333 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. In addition, the exercise price on the warrants granted at the time of the original loan agreement will be adjusted to the Issue Price.

   6.    Current trading and prospects 

There has been no material change in the trading of the Company since the trading update given the announcement of 20 May 2020. The London school remains closed but bookings are being taken for September 2020. The Singapore school remains closed to students but as of 29 June 2020 it will be able to reopen although its operating capacity will be restricted to 60% of its maximum. A review of operations in Singapore is expected to be undertaken following the appointment of new CEO, Richard Mace (see paragraph 9 below).

Since the announcement of 20 May 2020, the Company has continue to utilise the UK Government furlough scheme and it has secured a government support loan of GBP100,000.

Due to the time taken arranging the Fundraising, work on the Company's audited results for the year ended 31 December 2019 (the "2019 Accounts") has been delayed. The Company has applied for and received an extension to the period allowed for it to publish the 2019 Accounts which now expires on 30 September 2020. The Company now expects to announce its results and publish the 2019 Accounts in the first half of August.

   7.    Creditor Conversion Shares 

Certain creditors, comprising certain employees and advisers have indicated a willingness to convert salaries and fees into New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. In aggregate debts amounting to GBP169,586 are expected to be converted into 113,057,613 New Ordinary Shares of which 8,694,000 New Ordinary Shares are expected to be issued to the following Directors in respect of unpaid salaries and fees:

   --    Mr Mark Elliott (Non-Executive Chairman) will receive 5,831,333 New Ordinary Shares; and, 
   --    Mr Alan Carroll (Non-Executive Director) will receive 2,862,667 New Ordinary Shares. 

The intentions by the Directors to convert are not legally binding. Any conversions undertaken by them will be announced through a Regulatory Information Service.

   8.    Board changes 

Subject to and with effect from Admission, Sam Malafeh the existing CEO of the Company has agreed to step down as a director of the Company. The terms of his departure and handover arrangements have been contractually agreed.

Subject to and with effect from Admission, Richard Mace, will become CEO of the Company. Richard was the founder of the Communicate English School Limited which operated the Company's school in Manchester and which was acquired by Malvern in 2018. Richard continued to run the Manchester school until leaving the Group in March 2020.

Subject to and with effect from Admission, Mr Haider Sithawalla, a Non-Executive Director and a representative of KSP Investments, will resign as a director.

Following these changes, the Board will comprise one executive director, Richard Mace, two independent non-executive directors, Mark Elliott and Alan Carroll and a further non-executive director, Nirvana Chaudhary, who is a representative of CG Corp.

   9.    Share options awards 

The share option awards outlined the Circular will no longer take place although options awards are expected to be made to Richard Mace in due course and to the new permanent CFO once appointed.

APPIX

Definitions

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

 
 "Admission"                             the admission of the New Ordinary Shares, 
                                          the Fundraising Shares and the Creditor 
                                          Conversion 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 published by 
                                          the London Stock Exchange from time to time 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Announcement"                          this announcement 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Articles"                              the articles of association of the Company 
                                          (as amended from time to time) 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Board" or "Directors"                  the board of directors of the Company 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Boost & Co"                            BOOST &Co Limited of 1 Vicarage Lane, London, 
                                          E15 4HF 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Business Day"                          any day on which banks are usually open 
                                          for business in England and Wales for the 
                                          transaction of sterling business, other 
                                          than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "certificated" or "in                   an Existing Ordinary Share or an Ordinary 
  certificated form"                      Share recorded on the Company's share register 
                                          as being held in certificated form (namely, 
                                          not in CREST) 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Circular"                              the circular to shareholders dated 20 May 
                                          2020 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Closing Price"                         the closing middle market price of an Existing 
                                          Ordinary Share as derived from the AIM Appendix 
                                          to the Daily Official List of the London 
                                          Stock Exchange 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Companies Act"                         the Companies Act 2006, as amended 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Company" or "Malvern"                  Malvern International plc 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Creditor Conversion                    the 113,057,613 New Ordinary Shares to be 
  Shares"                                 issued at the Issue Price in settlement 
                                          of certain outstanding liabilities 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "CREST" or "CREST system"               the relevant system (as defined in the CREST 
                                          Regulations) in respect of which Euroclear 
                                          is the operator (as defined in those regulations) 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "CREST regulations"                     the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 
                                          2001 (SI2001/3755) 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Debt restructuring"                    the revised terms of the term loan facility 
                                          provided by funds managed by Boost & Co 
                                          to the Company 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Directors" or "Board"                  the directors of the Company or any duly 
                                          authorised committee thereof 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "EEA"                                   the European Economic Area 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Enlarged Issue Ordinary                the issued ordinary share capital of the 
  Share Capital"                          Company immediately following Admission, 
                                          being 1,204,967,240 Ordinary Shares 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Euroclear"                             Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, the operator 
                                          of CREST 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Existing Issued Ordinary               the Ordinary Shares in issue at the date 
  Share Capital" or "Existing             of this document being 258,576,293 Ordinary 
  Ordinary Shares"                        Shares 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Fundraising"                           the Placing and Subscription 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Fundraising Shares"                    approximately 833,333,334 new Ordinary Shares 
                                          issued pursuant to the Fundraising 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Group"                                 Malvern International plc and its subsidiary 
                                          undertakings 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Issue Price"                           0.15 pence per New Ordinary Share 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Latest Practicable                     close of business (5.00 p.m. London time) 
  Date"                                   on 19 May 2020, being the latest practicable 
                                          date prior to the date of this Announcement 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "London Stock Exchange"                 London Stock Exchange plc 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "MAR" or "Market Abuse                  the Market Abuse Regulation (2014/596/EU) 
  Regulation"                             (incorporating the technical standards, 
                                          delegated regulations and guidance notes, 
                                          published by the European Commission, London 
                                          Stock Exchange, the FCA and the European 
                                          Securities and Markets Authority) 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Ordinary Shares"                       ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the 
                                          capital of the Company 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Original Fundraising"                  the conditional fundraising announced on 
                                          20 May 2020 which was subsequently aborted 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Placee"                                any person subscribing for and/or purchasing 
                                          New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Placing 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Placing"                               the placing by WH Ireland on behalf of the 
                                          Company of the Placing Shares at the Issue 
                                          Price pursuant to the terms of the Placing 
                                          Agreement 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Placing Agreement"                     the agreement dated 19 May 2020 between 
                                          (1) the Company and (2) WH Ireland relating 
                                          to the Placing as amended 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Placing Shares"                        approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares 
                                          to be issued by the Company pursuant to 
                                          the Placing at the Issue Price 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Securities Act"                        the United States Securities Act of 1933, 
                                          as amended 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Shareholders"                          the holders of Ordinary Shares (as the context 
                                          requires) at the relevant time 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Subscription"                          the subscription by certain investors for 
                                          the Subscription Shares pursuant to the 
                                          terms of subscription letters 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "Subscription Shares"                   approximately 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares 
                                          to be issued by the Company pursuant to 
                                          the Subscription at the Issue Price 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "uncertificated" or                     recorded on the relevant register of Ordinary 
  "in uncertificated form"                Shares 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 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "United Kingdom" or                     the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
  "UK"                                   Northern Ireland 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "WH Ireland"                            WH Ireland Limited, the Company's nominated 
                                          adviser and broker 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 "GBP", "pounds sterling",               are references to the lawful currency of 
  "pence" or "p"                          the United Kingdom 
                               ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 

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.

END

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June 25, 2020 09:13 ET (13:13 GMT)

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