AGM Information • Nov 7, 2011
AGM Information
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THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. It contains Resolutions to be voted on at a General Meeting of the Company to be held at One Vine Street, London, W1 0AH at 11.00 a.m. on 30 November 2011. If you are in any doubt about the contents of this document and/or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own personal financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser in the relevant jurisdiction. This document does not constitute an offer for the sale of any Ordinary Shares.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your Ordinary Shares, you should immediately send this document, but not the accompanying personalised Form of Proxy, to the purchaser or transferee or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for onward transmission to the purchaser or transferee. If you have sold or otherwise transferred only part of your holding of Ordinary Shares, you should retain these documents. However, such documents should not be forwarded or transmitted in or into any jurisdiction in which such act would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction.
Quayle Munro Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the contents of this document and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Quayle Munro Limited or for providing advice in relation to the matters described in this Circular.
(a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales under registration number 05746555)
and
This document should be read as a whole. Your attention is drawn to the letter from John Barnsley, the Senior Independent Director which is set out on pages 4 to 8 of this document in which the Board recommends that you vote IN FAVOUR of the first and second resolutions and AGAINST the third resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting referred to below.
A notice of the General Meeting to be held at One Vine Street, London, W1 0AH at 11.00 a.m. on 30 November 2011 is set out at the end of this document. A Form of Proxy for use at the General Meeting is enclosed with this document and should be completed, signed and returned in accordance with the instructions thereon, as soon as possible but, in any event, so as to be received by the Company's Registrar, Capita Registrars, at PXS, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 28 November 2011. If you have registered, you may complete the proxy form online via your portfolio at www.capitalshareportal.com so that the Form of Proxy is received by Capita Registrars by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 28 November 2011.
If you hold your Ordinary Shares in CREST, you may appoint a proxy by completing and transmitting a CREST Proxy Instruction in accordance with the procedures set out in the CREST Manual to the Company's Registrars, Capita Registrars, under CREST participant ID number RA10, so that it is received by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 28 November 2011.
| Page | |
|---|---|
| EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS | 3 |
| PART I – LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS | 4 |
| PART II – EXISTING AND REVISED INVESTMENT POLICY | 9 |
| PART III – TEXT OF THE REQUISITION | 11 |
| PART IV – DEFINITIONS | 13 |
| NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING | 14 |
| Publication of this document | 7 November 2011 |
|---|---|
| Latest time and date for receipt of Forms of Proxy and CREST Proxy Instructions |
11.00 a.m. on 28 November 2011 |
| General Meeting | 11.00 a.m. on 30 November 2011 |
| Results of General Meeting announced | 30 November 2011 |
| Notes: |
(1) The above dates and times are based on the Company's expectations. If any of the above times and/or dates change, the revised times and/or dates will be notified to Shareholders by an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service.
(2) All references in this document are to London time unless otherwise stated.
(a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales under registration number 05746555)
Robert Rayne (Chairman) LMS Capital plc Glenn Payne (Chief Executive Officer) 100 George Street Tony Sweet (Chief Financial Officer) London John Barnsley (Senior Independent Non-Executive Director) W1U 8NU Richard Christou (Non-Executive Director) Bernard Duroc-Danner (Non-Executive Director) Mark Sebba (Non-Executive Director) David Verey (Non-Executive Director)
Directors: Registered Office:
7 November 2011
To all Shareholders and, for information only, to nominated persons
Dear Shareholder
A General Meeting is being called to approve a change to the Company's investment policy as set out in the announcement made by the Company on 10 October 2011.
The Company subsequently received, on 17 October 2011, a requisition on behalf of the Rayne Concert Party which represents approximately 37 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares, requiring a general meeting to be held and that two of its own resolutions be put to Shareholders.
Accordingly, in summary, the resolutions to be proposed are:
(v) the Board have discretion to make additional investments in existing assets in order to protect shareholder value.
That Robert Rayne remain on the Board as a director of the Company.
The Resolutions are not inter-conditional.
Further details of both the Company's resolution and the Rayne Concert Party's resolutions are set out in this document, together with the background to and reasons for the general meeting of the Company to be held on 30 November 2011. The Circular also sets out the recommendations of the Board that Shareholders vote IN FAVOUR of the first and second resolutions and AGAINST the third resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting.
The Board was first made aware of the Rayne Concert Party's opposition to the Company's investment strategy on 17 May 2011, when a letter was received from the Rayne Concert Party's advisers stating that the Rayne Concert Party had been advised that Shareholders' interests may be best served by a strategy that would allow Shareholders to realise value from the Company, and that this may be best achieved through a break-up of the Company at maximum price.
The Rayne Concert Party was proposing that a break-up of the Company should take place as quickly as possible and in any event over a period of not more than 12 months. An independent committee, comprising the non-executive directors excluding Robert Rayne (the "Committee") and under the Chairmanship of John Barnsley, was formed to consider this request. The Committee was unable to support it.
The Committee informed the Rayne Concert Party that in its view, a break-up over such a short period of time would not be in the best interests of Shareholders and it was of the opinion that an accelerated break-up of the Company would not achieve an acceptable return for Shareholders. The majority of the Company's equity investments are minority stakes in small and medium-sized unquoted companies, or investments in private equity funds which, by their nature, entail a higher level of risk and lower liquidity than investments in large quoted companies. The equity investments in small and medium-sized unquoted companies in the Company's portfolio are also generally less valuable unless all or the majority of shareholders agree to sell alongside each other. Furthermore, current market conditions are unlikely to be conducive to an accelerated asset realisation strategy.
On 6 September 2011 the Company announced that it had received an approach by the Rayne Concert Party, requesting that the Company be broken-up in the short term. Following such announcement the Company, with its advisers, consulted with Shareholders to discuss the future strategy of the Company.
One of the options explored at this time by the Company, through its advisers, was an exit for the Rayne Concert Party's shareholding. It was not possible, however, to establish a price at which it appeared the Rayne Concert Party members would be willing to sell their holdings and at which a buyer or buyers for those shares could be found in market conditions prevailing at the time.
The Rayne Concert Party has indicated that, having had access to relevant information, it would expect a wind-down to be conducted over an appropriate time period but has not informed the Board what that period would be.
After further consultation with Shareholders, the Committee announced on 10 October 2011 that it no longer believed that the status quo was sustainable given the wide discount at which the Company's shares traded (along with the shares of other similar companies) and with in excess of one third of the Company's shares held by the Rayne Concert Party, which was emphatic that the Company must pursue a realisation strategy. In consequence the Committee was willing to support an orderly wind-down of the Company, so as to achieve a balance between an efficient return of cash to Shareholders whilst maximising the value of the Company's investments. Subsequently, as announced on 17 October 2011, the Company received a requisition on behalf of the Rayne Concert Party requiring a general meeting to be convened to consider two resolutions. The full text of the requisition is set out in Part III of this document.
As explained above, the Board is proposing a resolution to approve a revised investment policy, being the first resolution set out in the notice of the General Meeting at the end of this document (the "Investment Policy Resolution"). Although the resolution put forward by the Rayne Concert Party is consistent with an orderly wind-down of the type which the Committee announced on 10 October 2011, the Board is proposing the Investment Policy Resolution to ensure compliance with Chapter 15 of the Listing Rules. Chapter 15 of the Listing Rules requires that the Company has a published investment policy that contains information about the policies that the Company will follow relating to asset allocation, risk diversification and gearing and that any change to the published investment policy requires Shareholder approval. The resolution put forward by the Rayne Concert Party would not be sufficient on its own to effect an amendment to the published investment policy which would satisfy the requirements of Chapter 15. As the principles for an orderly wind-down of the Company put forward by the Rayne Concert Party are acceptable, they are reflected in the revised investment policy which is being proposed for approval by Shareholders by the first resolution.
It is not practicable to provide definitive guidance on the timeframe for any orderly wind-down if approved by Shareholders. As the portfolio realisation will be an ongoing process, the Board intends to provide Shareholders with 6-monthly updates on the estimated timetable in the Company's annual and half-yearly reports. The Board expects the first distribution to take place within the next 12-18 months.
If the Company's Investment Policy Resolution is not passed but the Rayne Concert Party's resolution is, any attempt to comply with the principles contained in the Rayne Concert Party's resolution would constitute a breach of the Listing Rules. In these circumstances, in order to effect a wind-down a further general meeting of the Company would have to be convened and an appropriate resolution amending the Company's investment policy passed.
Accordingly, the Board is recommending that shareholders vote IN FAVOUR of the first and second resolutions.
The requisition submitted on behalf of the Rayne Concert Party includes a resolution that Shareholders be asked whether they agree that Robert Rayne should remain on the Board as a director of the Company. This is proposed as the third resolution in the notice of the General Meeting set out at the end of this document. This resolution will legally have no effect on Robert Rayne's position as a director regardless of how Shareholders vote, but the Board is legally required to put this resolution to Shareholders. Even though the resolution is technically ineffective, the Listing Rules require the Board to provide a recommendation as to the voting action Shareholders should take and to indicate whether the resolution is, in the Board's opinion, in the best interests of Shareholders as a whole.
If the new investment policy is approved at the General Meeting, the non-executive directors will supervise the executive management's wind-down of the Company. The Board does not believe that Robert Rayne remaining on the Board would be in the best interest of Shareholders as a whole.
Messrs Bernard Duroc-Danner and Mark Sebba dissented from the above decision.
The Board is recommending that Shareholders vote AGAINST the third resolution.
The Company has received written confirmation from 10 institutional shareholders representing approximately 28 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital and representing approximately 44 per cent. of shares held by Shareholders independent of the Rayne Concert Party including the Company's largest single Shareholder, Schroder Investment Management, of their intention to vote against the resolution that Robert Rayne should remain on the Board as a director of the Company.
As referred to in section 2 above, on 10 October 2011 the Independent Directors set out a proposed new strategy for the Company, reflected in the proposals set out in this document.
In that announcement, it was stated that Robert Rayne had been asked to resign from the Board so as to ensure the full independence of the Board. Furthermore, three of the independent directors indicated that if the objectives set out in the announcement, including ensuring the full independence of the Board, were not achieved, they would stand down from the Board.
Robert Rayne has not resigned. That notwithstanding, the three directors in question confirm their intention to remain on the Board following the General Meeting because 13 institutional shareholders representing approximately 32 per cent. of the issued shares of the Company and representing approximately 50 per cent. of shares held by Shareholders independent of the Rayne Concert Party including the Company's largest single Shareholder, Schroder Investment Management, have confirmed their support in writing for the three directors remaining in place.
Furthermore, on 17 October 2011, Withers Trust Corporation announced that Robert Rayne intended to stand down as Chairman once a capital realisation strategy had been put in place and so that a suitably qualified independent Chairman may be brought in to oversee the orderly wind-down strategy. The Independent Directors welcome Robert Rayne standing down as Chairman and the Board will oversee the orderly wind-down including the appointment of Robert Rayne's replacement as Chairman. Robert Rayne has said he intends to remain on the Board.
The Independent Directors consider it essential that the wind-down be overseen by an independent Board acting in the best interests of all Shareholders.
Recognising the change of investment strategy and in the interests of keeping fixed overheads at a proportionate level as assets are realised and monies returned to Shareholders, it is envisaged that over time the Board will be reduced in number.
If Shareholders approve the new investment policy, the Company proposes, as announced on 10 October 2011, that the existing executive management team be charged with putting it into effect against a streamlined cost structure and with appropriate management incentive arrangements. The management incentive arrangements will align management's interests with those of Shareholders during the wind-down process and will, if required, be subject to Shareholder approval. The terms of the management incentive arrangements have yet to be finalised but are expected to be based upon the principle that the Company's executives will be incentivised to maximise returns to Shareholders by receiving a performance fee once an agreed amount, which would increase at a fixed annual compounding rate, has been returned to Shareholders in cash.
The Board has no current intention of cancelling the Company's listing. The Board confirms that at such time as a de-listing of Ordinary Shares becomes appropriate it will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Listing Rules.
In the event that the third resolution is not passed, the Board does not intend to convene a further general meeting specifically to allow Shareholders to vote on the removal of Robert Rayne from the Board.
The Board considers the first and second resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting to be in the best interests of Shareholders as a whole.
Accordingly, the Board, which has been advised by Quayle Munro Limited, recommends Shareholders vote IN FAVOUR of the first and second resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting.
The Board considers the third resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting not to be in the best interests of Shareholders as a whole.
Accordingly, the Board, which has been advised by Quayle Munro Limited, recommends Shareholders vote AGAINST the third resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting.
The Company has received written confirmation from 10 institutional shareholders representing approximately 28 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital and representing approximately 44 per cent. of shares held by Shareholders independent of the Rayne Concert Party, including the Company's largest single Shareholder, Schroder Investment Management, of their intention to vote against the resolution that Robert Rayne should remain on the Board as a director of the Company.
Shareholder approval is required for the Resolutions. Accordingly, you will find set out at the end of this document a notice convening the General Meeting to be held at 11.00 a.m. on 30 November 2011.
Shareholders are requested to complete and return the enclosed Form of Proxy for use at the General Meeting in accordance with the instructions printed thereon so as to arrive at the Company's Registrar, Capital Registrars, at PXS, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU as soon as possible and in any event not later than 11.00 a.m. on 28 November 2011.
If you hold your Ordinary Shares in CREST, you may appoint a proxy by completing and transmitting a CREST Proxy Instruction in accordance with the procedures set out in the CREST Manual to the Company's Registrars, Capita Registrars, under CREST participant ID number RA10, so that it is received by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 28 November 2011.
Shareholders wishing to complete their paper Form of Proxy in line with the Board's recommendations should
Any Shareholder needing assistance with the completion of their Form of Proxy or transmission of a Proxy Voting Instruction should contact the Registrars' helpline on 0871 664 0300.
Completion and return of a Form of Proxy or a Proxy Voting Instruction will not prevent you from attending the General Meeting and voting in person should you so wish.
Yours faithfully
John Barnsley on behalf of the Board
The Company's existing investment objective is to deliver sustained medium to long-term growth by acquiring direct investments in growing, profitable businesses where its senior management can use their expertise to contribute to the growth and performance of those businesses. This focus is primarily in the energy, consumer and business services sectors where the Company's investment team has demonstrable expertise. Realisations from the existing quoted, direct and fund investments would be expected to provide the liquidity required to implement this strategy in the medium term.
The Board is proposing that the investment objective be restated as follows:
"The investment objective of the Company is to conduct an orderly realisation of the assets of the Company, to be effected in a manner that seeks to achieve a balance between an efficient return of cash to Shareholders and maximising the value of the Company's investments."
The Board is proposing that the investment policy be restated as follows:
"The Company's investments will be realised in an orderly manner that seeks to achieve a balance between an efficient return of cash to Shareholders and maximising the value of the Company's investments. The Company will distribute surplus cash periodically to shareholders in a tax efficient manner with due regard to shareholders' tax circumstances and will manage its affairs such that existing capital commitments are ultimately eliminated."
The Company may not make any new investments save that (a) investments may be made to honour commitments made at the time of the initial investment and/or to which it is contractually obligated; (b) further investment may be made into the Company's existing portfolio companies in order to protect or enhance the value of such investments or facilitate the orderly realisation of such investments; and (c) cash (including realised cash) may be invested in liquid cash-equivalent securities, including short-dated corporate bonds, government bonds or cash funds, or in bank cash deposits and/or in other permitted investments as set out above, pending its return to Shareholders in accordance with the Company's investment objective.
The Company will maintain a sufficient cash reserve in order to fund any further investments falling within sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above and to meet anticipated contractual commitments. The Board currently estimates that this reserve will not exceed £25 million, but will be subject to downward change throughout the realisation process.
It is not the Company's current intention to use gearing during the wind-down and the Board will not borrow unless required to do so for short term working capital purposes (for example, where the cash reserve is not sufficient to meet a contractual commitment).
There is no guarantee that the change to the Company's investment objective and policy will provide the returns or realise the capital implied by the Net Asset Value. There can be no guarantee that the Company will achieve its new investment objective.
The majority of the Company's equity investments are minority stakes in small and medium-sized unquoted companies, or investments in private equity funds, which by their nature entail a higher level of risk and lower liquidity than investments in large quoted companies. The equity investments in small and medium-sized unquoted companies in the Company's portfolio are also generally less valuable unless all or the majority of shareholders agree to sell alongside each other.
As investments are sold it is likely that the portfolio will become less diverse and more concentrated in fewer sectors.
The proposed change of investment strategy would result in the Company becoming reliant on the investment team's ability to dispose of investments in order to realise capital for Shareholders.
Events such as economic recession or general fluctuations in stock markets and interest rates may affect the valuation of investee companies, the timing of the wind-down and consequently the distribution of cash to Shareholders.
The content of the requisition of general meeting from the Concert Party is set out below:
To: The Board of LMS Capital Plc 100 George Street London W1U 8NU
17 October 2011
Dear Sirs
LMS Capital Plc (the 'Company') Company number: 5746555
We, the undersigned, being members representing at least 5 per cent. of the total voting rights of all the members entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company, require the directors to call a general meeting of the Company.
The purpose of the meeting will be to consider the strategy to be pursued by the Company and the position of the Hon. Robert Rayne as a director of the Company.
We require that members are asked to decide whether they agree that the Company should:
In addition, we require that members are asked whether they agree that Mr Rayne should remain on the board as a director of the Company.
At the meeting, shareholders should be asked to indicate by way of vote whether they agree or disagree with each of the above propositions. We require voting by way of poll and proxy voting to be available in the usual way.
Yours faithfully
Authorised signatory HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited Acting as nominee for and on behalf of Withers Trust Corporation Limited and James McCarthy as trustees of the Lord Rayne Will Trust
Authorised signatory HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited Acting as nominee for and on behalf of Withers Trust Corporation Limited as trustee of the Lord Rayne 2nd Family Settlement
Authorised signatory HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited Acting as nominee for and on behalf of Withers Trust Corporation Limited as trustee of the Lord Rayne 3rd Family Settlement
| The following definitions apply throughout this document unless the context otherwise requires: | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Board" | the board of directors of the Company | |
| "Circular" | this document | |
| "Committee" | has the meaning given in section 2 of Part I of the Circular | |
| "Company" | LMS Capital plc | |
| "Company's Registrar" | Capita Registrars, the Company's registrar | |
| "CREST" | the relevant system (as defined in the CREST Regulations) in respect of which Euroclear is the Operator (as defined in the CREST Regulations) |
|
| "CREST Regulations" | the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) | |
| "Euroclear" | Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited | |
| "Form of Proxy" | the Form of Proxy for use at the General Meeting or at any adjournment thereafter |
|
| "FSA" | the UK Financial Services Authority | |
| "General Meeting" | the General Meeting of the Company convened and to be held at 11.00 a.m. on 30 November 2011, notice of which is set out at the end of this document |
|
| "Independent Directors" | the Company's directors other than Robert Rayne | |
| "Investment Policy Resolution " | has the meaning given in section 2 of Part 1 of the Circular | |
| "Listing Rules" | the listing rules made by the FSA under section 73A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended from time to time) |
|
| "Net Asset Value" | the value of the assets of the Company less its liabilities determined in accordance with the accounting policies and principles adopted by the Company and set out in its annual report |
|
| "Ordinary Shares" | ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the share capital of the Company | |
| "Rayne Concert Party" | means Withers Trust Corporation, Robert Rayne the Chairman of the Company, certain members of his family and related trusts and certain other shareholders, together holding, in aggregate, approximately 37 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares |
|
| "Resolutions" | the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as set out in the notice of General Meeting at the end of this document |
|
| "Regulatory Information Service" | any information service authorised from time to time by the FSA for the purpose of disseminating regulatory announcements |
|
| "Shareholders" | holders of Ordinary Shares |
(a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales under registration number 05746555)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Meeting of LMS Capital plc (the "Company") will be held at One Vine Street, London, W1 0AH at 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 30 November 2011 for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, adopting the following resolutions of the Company at the General Meeting or any adjournment thereof:
By order of the Board Registered Office:
100 George Street Matthew Jones London Secretary W1U 8NU
7 November 2011
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is also entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote in his or her stead. A proxy need not also be a member of the Company. To be effective, forms of proxy must be lodged with the Company's Registrar, Capita Registrars, PXS, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. Lodgement of the form of proxy will not preclude a shareholder from attending the meeting and voting in person.
The resolutions are ordinary resolutions. This means that for the resolutions to be passed, a simple majority of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
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