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Empiric Student Property PLC

Prospectus Mar 1, 2016

4917_prs_2016-03-01_0d9b922d-4243-4317-b0fb-9a1ff330f7d3.pdf

Prospectus

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SUMMARY

Summaries are made up of disclosure requirements known as "Elements". These elements are numbered in Sections A – E (A.1 – E.7). This summary contains all the Elements required to be included in a summary for this type of securities and issuer. Some Elements are not required to be addressed which means there may be gaps in the numbering sequence of the Elements. Even though an Element may be required to be inserted into the summary because of the type of securities and issuer, it is possible that no relevant information can be given regarding the Element. In this case a short description of the Element is included in the summary with the mention of "not applicable".

Section A – Introduction and warnings
Element Disclosure
Requirement
Disclosure
A.1. Warning This summary should be read as an introduction to the
Prospectus. Any decision to invest in Shares should be
based on consideration of the Prospectus as a whole by the
investor.
Where a claim relating to the information contained in the
Prospectus is brought before a court, the plaintiff investor
might, under the national legislation of the Member States,
have to bear the costs of translating the Prospectus before
the legal proceedings are initiated. Civil liability attaches
only to those persons who have tabled the summary
including any translation thereof, but only if the summary is
misleading, inaccurate or inconsistent when read together
with the other parts of the Prospectus or it does not provide,
when read together with the other parts of the Prospectus,
key information in order to aid investors when considering
whether to invest in such securities.
A.2. Subsequent resale
or final placement
of securities
through financial
The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus by
financial intermediaries in connection with the subsequent
resale or final placement of securities by financial
intermediaries.
intermediaries The offer period within which any subsequent resale or final
placement of securities by financial intermediaries can be
made and for which consent to use the Prospectus is given
commences on 1 March 2016 and closes at 11.00 a.m. on
16 March 2016.
Information on the terms and conditions of any
subsequent resale or final placement of securities by
any financial intermediary is to be provided at the time
of the offer by the financial intermediary.
Section B – Issuer
Element Disclosure
Requirement
Disclosure
B.1. Legal and
commercial name
Empiric Student Property Plc.
B.2. Domicile and legal
form
The Company was incorporated in England and Wales on
11 February 2014 with registered number 08886906 as a
public company limited by shares under the Companies Act.
The principal legislation under which the Company operates
is the Companies Act.
B.5. Group description The Company is the holding company of the Group and has
the following subsidiaries:
Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Empiric Investments (One) Limited Intermediate
holding company
100
Empiric (Edge Apartments) Limited Property
Empiric (College Green) Limited holding company
Property
100(1)
Empiric (Picturehouse Apartments) holding company
Property
100(1)
Limited
Empiric (Summit House) Limited
holding company
Property
100(1)
Empiric (Buccleuch Street) Limited holding company
Property
100(1)
Empiric (Buccleuch Street) Leasing holding company
Property
100
Limited leasing company 100
Empiric (St Peter Street) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (St Peter Street) Leasing
Limited
Property
leasing company
100
Empiric (Birmingham) Limited Property
holding company
100(1)
Empiric (London Road) Limited Property
holding company
100(1)
Empiric (Talbot Studios) Limited Property
Empiric (Centro Court) Limited holding company
Property
100(1)
Empiric (Alwyn Court) Limited holding company
Property
100(1)
Empiric (Northgate House) Limited holding company
Property
100(2)
Empiric (Snow Island) Limited holding company
Property
100(2)
Empiric (Huddersfield Snow Island) holding company
Property
100
Leasing Limited
Empiric (Claremont Newcastle) Limited
holding company
Property
100
holding company 100
Empiric (Newcastle Metrovick) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Exeter DCL) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Exeter LL) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Hatfield CP) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Leeds Algernon) Limited Property
Empiric (London Camberwell) Limited holding company
Property
100(2)
holding company 100(2)
Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Empiric (Leeds St Marks) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Glasgow Ballet School) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Nottingham 95 Talbot) Limited
Empiric (Nottingham 95 Talbot Leasing
Property
holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Leeds St Marks) Limited
leasing company
Property
100
Empiric Investment Holdings (Two) holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric Investments (Two) Limited
holding company
Intermediate
100
Empiric (Durham St Margarets) Limited holding company
Property
holding company
100
100(1)
Empiric Investment Holdings (Three)
Limited
Property
holding company
100
Empiric Investments (Three) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Glasgow Bath St) Limited Property
holding company
100(4)
Empiric Investments (Four) Limited
Empiric Investment Holdings (Four)
Property
holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 1)
holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 2)
holding company
Property
100(1)
Limited
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 3)
Limited
holding company
Property
holding company
100(1)
100(1)
Empiric (Leicester Peacock Lane)
Limited
Property
holding company
100(1)
Empiric (Bristol) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Bristol) Leasing Limited Property
leasing company
100
Empiric (Framwellgate Durham) Limited
Empiric (Framwellgate Durham)
Property
holding company
Property
100
Leasing Limited
Empiric (Baptists Chapel) Limited
leasing company
Property
100
Empiric (Baptists Chapel) Leasing Limited holding company
Property
100
Empiric (Portobello House) Limited leasing company
Property
100
Empiric (Portobello House) Leasing Limited holding company
Property
holding company
100
100
Empiric (Huddersfield Oldgate House)
Limited
Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Huddersfield Oldgate House)
Leasing Limited
Property
leasing company
100
Empiric Acquisitions Limited
Empiric (Glasgow Otago Street) Limited
Intermediate
holding company
Property
100
Glasgow (Otago Lane) Limited holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Glasgow Otago Street) Leasing holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Stirling Forthside) Limited
leasing company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Stirling Forthside) Leasing
Limited
holding company
Property
holding company
100
100
Empiric (Bath James House) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Spring Roscoe Limited
Grove St Studios Ltd
Property
holding company
Property
100(5)
Empiric (Bath JSW) Limited holding company
Property
100(5)
Empiric (Portsmouth Registry) Limited holding company
Property
100(2)
Empiric (Nottingham Frontage) Limited holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Nottingham Frontage) Leasing holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Falmouth Maritime Studios)
leasing company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Exeter Bonhay Road) Limited
holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Exeter Bonhay Road) Leasing holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Portsmouth Europa House)
holding company
Property
100
Limited
Empiric (Portsmouth Europa House)
holding company
Property
100(4)
Leasing Limited
Empiric (Sheffield Provincial House)
Limited
leasing company
Property
holding company
100(4)
100
Empiric (Sheffield Provincial House)
Leasing Limited
Property
leasing company
100
Empiric (Sheffield Trippet Lane) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Sheffield Trippet Lane) Leasing
Limited
Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Glasgow George St) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Glasgow George St) Leasing
Limited
Property
leasing company
100
Empiric (Cardiff Wndsr House) Limited Property
holding company
100(2)
Empiric (Cardiff Wndsr House) Leasing
Limited
Empiric (Bath Piccadilly Place) Limited
Property
holding company
Property
100(2)
Empiric (Bath Canalside) Limited holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Glasgow George Square) Limited holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Glasgow George Square) holding company
Property
100
Leasing Limited
Empiric (Liverpool Art School/Maple
leasing company
Property
100
House) Limited
Empiric (Stoke Caledonia Mill) Limited
holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Chatham Lodge) Limited holding company
Property
100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Grove Street) Limited holding company
Property
holding company
100(4)
100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Octagon/Hayward)
Limited
Property
holding company
100(4)
Empiric (York George Hudson) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric (York George Hudson) Leasing
Limited
Property
holding company
100
Empiric (Manchester Ladybarn) Limited Property
holding company
100(3)
Empiric (Oxford Stonemason) Limited Property
holding company
100(3)
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House) Limited Intermediate
holding company
100(3)
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House)
Luxembourg S.à r.l
Property
holding company
100(3)
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House) Leasing
Limited
Property
leasing company
100(3)
Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Empiric (York Lawrence Street) Limited Property
holding company
100
Empiric Student Property Trustees
Limited
Trustee of the EBT
100
Empiric (Developments) Limited Development
management company
100
Hello Student Management Limited Letting
management company
100
(1) held by Empiric Investments (One) Limited
(2) held by Empiric Investments (Two) Limited
(3) held by Empiric Investments (Three) Limited
(4) held by Empiric Investments (Four) Limited
(5) held by Empiric Acquisitions Limited
All of the above companies are incorporated in England and
Wales with the exception of Empiric (St Andrews Ayton
House) Luxembourg S.à.
Luxembourg.
r.l which is incorporated in
In addition, the Company has interests in the following joint
venture companies. The remaining 50 per cent. of the
shares in each company are held by KH II Estates 117
Limited, a company advised by Revcap.
Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Empiric (Southampton) Limited Joint venture
development company
50
Empiric (Southampton) Leasing Limited Property
leasing company
50(6)
Brunswick Contracting Limited Property
contracting company
50(6)
Empiric (Glasgow) Limited Joint venture
development company
50
Empiric (Glasgow) Leasing Limited Property
leasing company
50(7)
(6) held by Empiric (Southampton) Limited in which the Company has a
50 per cent. ownership interest
(7) held by Empiric (Glasgow) Limited in which the Company has a 50 per
cent. ownership interest
The Board intends that further companies and intermediate
holding companies will be set up to hold any additional
properties which may be acquired by the Group.
B.6. Major shareholders Other than as set out in the table below, as at 29 February
2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the
publication of the Prospectus) the Company was not aware
of any person who was directly or indirectly interested in
3 per cent. or more of the issued share capital of the
Company:
Name Shares Number of Percentage of
issued share
capital (%)
Schroders plc
Investec Wealth & Investment Limited
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Pension Fund
CCLA Investment Management Limited
SG Hambros Bank Limited
Avenue Europe Management LLP
BlackRock, Inc
Asset Value Investors
Jefferies International Limited
Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited
40,685,914
29,221,146
24,756,828
21,922,495
20,355,208
16,329,718
14,123,202
13,352,000
11,922,979
11,788,870
10.57
7.59
6.43
5.69
5.29
4.24
3.67
3.47
3.10
3.06
As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date
prior to the publication of the Prospectus) the interests of the
Directors and their connected persons in the issued share
capital of the Company were as follows:
Name Number of Percentage of
Shares
issued share
capital %
Baroness Dean
Timothy Attlee
Paul Hadaway
Michael Enright
Jim Prower
Stephen Alston
33,500
0.01
875,000
0.23
1,094,001
0.28
645,000
0.17
23,760
0.01
26,300
0.01
* 20,000 of these shares are held on behalf of Mr. Enright's children.
** 11,880 of these shares are held by Mr. Prower's wife
B.7. Financial
information
period ended 31 December 2015: The selected historical financial information set out below,
which has been prepared under IFRS, has been extracted
without material adjustment from the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Group for the period from the
Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015 and the interim
report and unaudited financial statements for the financial
Statement of Financial Position
As at 30
June 2015
(Audited)
£'000
As at 31
As at 31
December 2015
December 2014
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
£'000
£'000
Assets and Liabilities
Investment property
239,775
Investment in joint ventures
8,378
Receivables
4,174
Cash and cash equivalents
78,788
Total assets
331,424
Payables
4,055
Deferred rental income
2,377
Bank borrowings
83,398
Total liabilities
91,029
Net assets
240,395
Net Asset Value per
346,190
104,265
10,342
5,903
18,106
1,485
147,806
83,899
522,693
195,610
6,084
8,026
7,460
2,873
101,872
34,864
116,797
46,537
405,896
149,074
Share (basic) (p)
103.21
Income Statement
105.43
99.38
Financial
period from
the Company's
incorporation to
30 June 2015
(Audited)
£'000
Rental income
8,303
Property expenses
2,170
Administration expenses
4,794
Gains on investment
properties
11,283
Operating profit
12,623
Finance costs
1,324
Fair value movement on
financial derivatives
Total comprehensive income
for the period
14,013
Financial
Financial
period from the
period from the
1 July 2015 to 31
1 July 2014 to 31
December 2015
December 2014
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
£'000
£'000
9,395
2,579
2,657
716
3,154
2,185
11,391
2,721
14,975
2,399
1,968
490
206
182
531
13,840
2,707
Save to the extent disclosed below, there has been no
significant change in the financial condition or operating
results of the Group since 31 December 2015, being the end
of the period covered by the historical financial information:

the second interim dividend of 1.5 pence per Share was
declared on 1 March 2016 in relation to the quarter ended
31 December 2015; and

the entry into of the amendment and restatement of the
Canada Life Facility to create the new Facility B in an
amount of £40 million.
B.8. Key pro forma
financial
information
Not applicable. No pro forma
financial information is
contained in the Prospectus.
B.9. Profit forecast Not applicable. No profit forecast or estimate made.
B.10. Description of the
nature of any
qualifications in the
audit report on the
historical financial
information
Not applicable. The audit report on the historical financial
information incorporated by reference in the Prospectus is
not qualified.
B.11. Qualified working
capital
Not applicable. The Company is of the opinion that the
working capital available to the Group is sufficient for its
present requirements, that is for at least the next 12 months
from the date of the Prospectus.
B.34. Investment policy Investment objective
The investment objective of the Company is to provide
Shareholders with regular, sustainable and growing long
term dividends (which it will seek to grow at least in line with
the RPI inflation index) together with the potential for capital
appreciation over the medium to long term.
Investment policy
The Company intends to meet its investment objective
through acquiring, owning, leasing and developing high
quality student residential accommodation in the UK let on
direct tenancy agreements to tenants enrolled with Higher
Education Institutions ("HEIs"). The Company will invest in
modern high-end, student accommodation assets with a
focus on quality, and generally located in prime city centre
locations in top university cities and towns. The Company is
focused on investing in, and developing, high quality self
contained residential accommodation in locations where the
Executive Directors believe attractive opportunities exist for
the Company to exploit demand for student residential
accommodation at the higher end of the quality scale. To
deliver the high quality and high-end experience, the
individual sizes of the assets are generally expected to be
between 50 to 200 beds. In addition, each property will
generally have:

studios and 1–3 bedroom apartments;

generous space per student bed;

all rooms with en-suite bathroom and kitchen facilities;
and

communal facilities to typically include: a cinema
room, study rooms, a gym and break-out areas.
The
Company
anticipates
that
rental
income
will
predominantly be generated from direct leases and/or
licences to students (with the rent being inclusive of
wifi/internet, all utilities, and access to on-site amenities).
The Company also anticipates benefitting in some cases
from ancillary commercial lease opportunities within student
accommodation properties, including (but not limited to)
retail outlets and mobile telephone transmission apparatus.
The Company may in due course derive rental income from
agreements with students that are guaranteed by HEIs or
directly with HEIs. The Company may enter into soft
nominations agreements (being marketing arrangements
with HEIs to place their students in private accommodation).
The Company will target upper quartile rental values,
primarily servicing postgraduate and international students.
The Group may acquire assets through acquisitions of the
underlying property or through the acquisition of the
subsidiary companies or other investment vehicles through
which such properties are owned. The Company may
opportunistically
acquire
portfolios
of
student
accommodation properties. Following such a transaction,
individual properties within such a portfolio, which do not
meet the Group's required standards or which cannot be
cost effectively refurbished, may be sold.
The
Company
also
intends
to
undertake
limited
development of new buildings or
conversion of existing
properties for student accommodation and related services
pursuant to the terms of the joint venture arrangement
between the Company and Revcap, with other development
partners or solely, without a third party partner. Save for
such development assets that may be held by the Group in
50/50 joint venture companies during the development
phase of such projects, the Group intends to have sole
ownership of all investments.
The Company will also focus on the acquisition of properties
where the student accommodation units benefit from
"Multiple Dwelling Relief", reducing SDLT on the value of
such student accommodation units from 4 per cent. to
1 per cent.
The Board intends to hold the Group's investments on a
long term basis. The Group, however, may dispose of
investments outside of this time frame, should an
appropriate opportunity arise where, in the Board's opinion,
the value that could be realised from such a disposal would
represent a satisfactory return on the initial investment
and/or otherwise enhance the value of the Group, taken as
a whole. There is no limit on the number of investments
which the Group may dispose of from the portfolio (subject
always to maintaining compliance with the investment
restrictions that form part of the investment policy).
Investment restrictions
The Company will invest and manage its assets with the
objective of spreading risk through the following investment
restrictions:

the Company will generate its rental income from a
portfolio of not less than five separate buildings (such
minimum to exclude development projects, and to
count two or more buildings in close proximity or on
the same campus as a single building);

the value of no single asset at the time of investment
will represent more than 20 per cent. of the Gross
Asset Value;

at least 90 per cent. by value of the properties directly
or indirectly owned by the Company shall be in the
form of freehold or long leasehold properties (with
over 100 years remaining at the time of acquisition) or
the equivalent;

the Company may commit up to a maximum of 15 per
cent. of its Net Asset Value (measured at the
commencement of the project) to expenditure in
relation to development or forward funded projects
(including
conversion
of
buildings
to
student
accommodation). All development and forward funded
projects will be conducted in special purpose vehicles
with no recourse to the other assets of the Group. This
restriction will be calculated by reference to the equity
requirement of all such projects in progress (i.e. up to
practical completion) at the time of commitment, to
include expenditure already made in such projects
and
the
remaining
budgeted
expenditure
(the
"Development Limit"). For the purposes of the
Development Limit, "equity requirement" shall mean
the amount of equity or shareholder loans contributed
and/or committed by the Company or any other Group
entity to the relevant special purpose vehicle and shall
exclude other sources of funds obtained by such
special purpose vehicle;

the calculation of the Development Limit shall exclude
from the numerator the acquisition cost of the relevant
undeveloped land or property in use, or to be used, for
development or forward funded projects, which shall
be subject to a separate limit of 10 per cent. of Net
Asset Value (measured at the time of investment);

for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the
Development Limit shall also exclude from the
numerator all investment and expenditure on the
renovation,
restoration,
fit-out,
internal
reconfiguration, maintenance and engineering works
and general up-keep of any existing and new student
accommodation investments by the Group;

rent from ancillary commercial leases will be limited to
25 per cent. of total rent receipts of any single building
and to 15 per cent. of the Group's total rent receipts;

in each case where investment is via a joint venture,
the relevant restriction will be calculated by reference
to the Company's share of the relevant joint venture;
and

the Company will not invest in other closed-ended
investment companies.
The Company will also seek to spread risk by seeking to
achieve a diversified exposure to individual cities, towns and
HEIs, though no quantitative limits are in place, due to the
widely various demographics prevailing in different locations.
The Company will at all times invest and manage its assets
in a way that is consistent with its objective of spreading
investment risk and in accordance with its published
investment policy and will not, at any time, conduct any
trading activity which is significant in the context of the
business of the Company as a whole.
In the event of a breach of the investment policy and
investment restrictions set out above, the Directors upon
becoming aware of such breach will consider whether the
breach is material, and if it is, notification will be made to a
Regulatory Information Service.
No material change will be made to the investment policy
and investment restrictions without the prior approval of the
FCA and of Shareholders by ordinary resolution.
B.35. Borrowing limits The Board expects to use Company level structural
leverage for investment purposes to enhance equity returns.
The level of borrowing will be on a prudent basis for the asset
class, and will seek to achieve a low cost of funds, whilst
maintaining flexibility in the underlying security requirements.
If gearing is employed, the Company will maintain a
conservative level of aggregate borrowings typically of 35 per
cent., but no more than 40 per cent., of the Gross Asset
Value (calculated at the time of draw down). Borrowings
employed by the Group may either be secured on individual
assets without recourse to the Company or by a charge over
some or all of the Company's assets to take advantage of
potentially preferential terms. Development loans, however,
will only be secured at the individual asset level, without
recourse to the Group's other assets or revenues.
As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date
prior to the publication of the Prospectus), the Group has
approximately
£103.25
million of drawn debt financing
(excluding the Group's share of joint venture debt)
representing a loan to value ratio of 20.3 per cent.
Where the Group takes on floating rate loan facilities, the
Group may engage in interest rate hedging in respect of
borrowings, or otherwise seek to mitigate the risk of interest
rate increases, for efficient portfolio management purposes
only.
The borrowing limits set out above will be inclusive of the
Group's pro-rata share of development loans incurred in
relation to joint venture development projects. Intra-group
debt between the Company and subsidiaries will not be
included in the definition of borrowings for these purposes.
B.36. Regulatory status The Company, as its own AIFM, has a full-scope Part 4A
permission under the AIFM Regulations and is authorised
and regulated by the FCA (reference number 630634).
As a REIT, the Shares are "excluded securities" under the
FCA's rules on non-mainstream pooled investments.
Accordingly, the promotion of the Shares is not subject to
the FCA's restriction on the promotion of non-mainstream
pooled investments.
B.37. Typical investor An investment in the Shares is only suitable for institutional
investors, professionally-advised private investors and
highly knowledgeable investors who understand and are
capable of evaluating the risks of such an investment and
who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses
(which may equal the whole amount invested) that may
result from such an investment.
B.38. Investment of
20 per cent. or more
in single underlying
asset or investment
company
Not applicable. The Company will not invest 20 per cent. or
more of gross assets
in a single underlying issuer or
investment company.
B.39. Investment of
40 per cent. or more
in single underlying
Not applicable. The Company will not invest 40 per cent. or
more of gross assets in another collective investment
undertaking.
asset or investment
company
B.40. Applicant's service Investment support arrangements
providers Revcap Advisors Limited has been appointed by the
Company under the terms of the Investment Support
Agreement to provide certain real estate investment support
services to the Company in connection with the operation of
its business.
Under the Investment Support Agreement, the Company
pays to Revcap, as consideration for the provision of its
services, a fee which shall accrue annually at a rate of
0.2 per cent of the Net Asset Value (but adjusted to exclude
any cash balances held by the Company from time to time),
which fee shall be payable in arrears each quarter based on
the last published Net Asset Value (calculated before
deduction of any accrued fee for that quarter) but subject
always to a minimum annual payment of £200,000 and a
capped maximum annual payment of £300,000.
The Investment Support Agreement may be terminated at
any time on not less than 12 months' written notice by the
Company or Revcap, such notice not to be served before
30 June 2016.
Facilities and lettings management arrangements

and lettings managers. This includes larger national players, such as Collegiate Accommodation Consulting Limited and Corporate Residential Management Ltd, together with specialist local operators where appropriate. In addition, the Group has engaged Bilfinger GVA as managing agent in relation to the majority of the commercial units forming part of its properties. The Company anticipates that further external facilities and lettings managers may be engaged in relation to future properties acquired by the Group but the medium to long-term plan is to reduce such number.

Under these arrangements, the facilities and lettings managers engaged by the Group will generally undertake property and facilities management services in relation to the relevant student units including collaborating with the Company in relation to the marketing and letting of the units in each property, rent collection and credit control services, payment of agreed capital expenditure, preparation of operating budgets for approval, overseeing building maintenance, maintenance of tenancy records, acting as tenant liaison and production of agreed management reports and performance measures for the properties.

External marketing and operations managers are paid a fee based on a proportion of rent collected. Depending on the manager and the building, this varies between 4-6 per cent. This fee along with other external costs such as utilities, health and safety, maintenance and repairs amounts to approximately 25 per cent. of the gross annual rental income.

Administration and company secretarial arrangements

FIM Capital Limited is appointed as administrator and company secretary to the Company and its subsidiaries. Under the terms of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement, the Administrator is paid an administration and company secretarial fee of £30,000 per annum (exclusive of VAT). This fee is subject to review annually.

The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement is terminable upon six months' written notice.

Depositary arrangements

Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited is appointed as depositary to the Company. The Depositary acts as the sole depositary of the Company and is, amongst other things, responsible for ensuring the Company's cash flows are properly monitored, the safe keeping of the assets of the Group and the oversight and supervision of the Company (as its own AIFM).

Under the terms of the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary is entitled to a fee based on the value of the Company's assets under management subject to a minimum fee of £20,000 per annum and a maximum fee of £40,000 per annum (excluding VAT).

The Depositary Agreement may be terminated by the
Depositary on 3 months' prior written notice to the Company.
The Company may terminate the agreement on 1 month's
prior written notice to the Depositary.
Registrar arrangements
Computershare Investor Services PLC has been appointed
registrar of the Company. Under the terms of the Registrar
Agreement, the Registrar is paid an annual maintenance fee
of £1.20 per Shareholder account per annum, subject to a
minimum fee of £3,000 per annum. The Registrar is also
entitled to activity fees under the Registrar Agreement.
The Registrar Agreement may be terminated on six months'
notice, such notice not to expire prior to 30 June 2016.
Audit services
BDO LLP provides audit services to the Company.
B.41. Regulatory status
of investment
manager and
The Company is internally managed by the Board and has
not appointed an external investment manager. The
Company has not appointed a custodian.
custodian The Depositary is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
B.42. Calculation of Net
Asset Value
The Net Asset Value (and Net Asset Value per Share) is
calculated semi-annually by the Company (and reviewed by
the Administrator). Calculations will be made in accordance
with IFRS and EPRA's best practice recommendations. The
Company intends to report its Net Asset Value according to
EPRA guidelines. Details of each semi-annual valuation,
and of any suspension in the making of such valuations, are
announced
by
the
Company
through
a
Regulatory
Information Service announcement, as part of its results
announcement, as soon as practicable after the end of the
relevant half year. The semi-annual valuations of the Net
Asset Value (and Net Asset Value per Share) are calculated
on the basis of the most recent valuation of the Property
Portfolio.
The calculation of the Net Asset Value will only be
suspended in circumstances where the underlying data
necessary to value the investments of the Company cannot
readily, or without undue expenditure, be obtained or in
other circumstances (such as a systems failure of the
Company) which prevents the Company from making such
calculations. Details of any suspension in making such
calculations will be announced through a Regulatory
Information Service as soon as practicable after any such
suspension occurs.
B.43. Cross liability Not applicable. The Company is not an umbrella collective
investment undertaking and as such there is no cross
liability between classes or investment in another collective
investment undertaking.
B.45.
Portfolio
As at the date of the Prospectus, the Property Portfolio
consists of the following investments comprising a mix of
operating properties and development and forward funded
projects.
Operating properties
Market
value as at
31 December
2015
Name
Location
No. of
Date of
Beds
acquisition
(£m)
College Green
Bristol
84
July 2014
Picturehouse
11.4
Apartments
Exeter
102
July 2014
13.1
Summit House
Cardiff
87
July 2014
10.7
The Brook
Selly Oak,
Birmingham
106
July 2014
12.9
Brunswick
House
Southampton
173
July 2014
Edge
10.1(1)
Apartments
Selly Oak,
Birmingham
77
August 2014
Centro Court
Aberdeen
56
September 2014
10.8
7.5
Talbot Studios
Nottingham
98
September 2014
9.9
Alwyn Court
Cardiff
51
October 2014
3.9
London Road
Southampton
46
November 2014
4.4
Kingsmill Studios
Huddersfield
98
November 2014
9.2
Curzon Point
Hatfield
116
December 2014
Dean Clarke Lofts
Exeter
30
December 2014
10.4
4.7
Algernon Firth
Leeds
111
January 2015
8.6
Northgate House
Cardiff
67
February 2015
6.5
Halsmere Studios
London
79
February 2015
16.2
Ballet School
Glasgow
103
March 2015
11.7
St Mark's Court
Leeds
85
March 2015
St Margaret's Flats
Durham
109
May 2015
7.2
5.6
CityBlock 1
Lancaster
30
May 2015
2.0
CityBlock 2
Lancaster
77
May 2015
6.1
CityBlock 3
Lancaster
100
May 2015
8.4
CityBlock 1
Leicester
98
May 2015
6.3
CityBlock 2
Leicester
76
May 2015
Library Lofts
Exeter
61
May 2015
5.2
7.7
Art School Lofts
Liverpool
64
June 2015
8.1
Maple House
Liverpool
147
June 2015
12.6
Chatham Lodge
Liverpool
50
June 2015
4.2
Hayward House
Liverpool
74
June 2015
The Octagon
Liverpool
19
June 2015
5.5
2.0
Grove Street
Studios
Liverpool
28
June 2015
2.6
Caledonia Mill
Stoke-on-Trent
120
June 2015
5.9
Maritime House
Falmouth
137
August 2015
11.0
The Registry
Portsmouth
41
August 2015
4.6
333 Bath Street
Glasgow
70
September 2015
8.1
Canal Bridge
Bath
20
November 2015
Widcombe Wharf
Bath
40
November 2015
1.8
4.5
Piccadilly Place
Bath
47
November 2015
Ayton House
St Andrews
241
December 2015
4.3
25.1
———
Total
3218
———
—————
310.7
—————
(1) The figure represents the value of the Group's 50 per cent. joint venture interest in the
property.
Assets under development
Name Location Proposed
No. of
Beds
Date of
acquisition
Estimated
completion
Market
value as at
date 31 December
2015(1)
(£)
Forward Commitments
Claremont
Place
Newcastle 88 May 2015 August 2016 –(4)
1-3 James
Street West
Bath 78 August 2015 September
2016
–(4)
James
House
Bath 169 August 2015 September
2016
–(4)
Metrovick
House
Newcastle 63 September
2015
July 2016 –(4)
Windsor
House
Cardiff 314 2015 November August 2016 –(4)
Forward funded projects
Buccleuch
Street
Edinburgh 86 July 2014 June 2016 8.9
95 Talbot
Street
Nottingham 77 February
2015
September
2016
2.7(2)
Spital Court
Studios
Aberdeen 123 March 2015 August 2016 9.3
William and
Matthew
House
Bristol 75 April 2015 August 2016 3.3
Welsh
Baptist
Chapel
Manchester 93 May 2015 August 2017 1.0
Oldgate
House
Huddersfield 179 May 2015 August 2016 4.7
Portobello
House
Sheffield 134 August 2015 June 2016 4.2
The
Frontage
Nottingham 162 August
2015
September
2016
9.5
Bonhay
Road
Exeter 139 September
2015
October
2017
2.0
155 George
Street
Glasgow 89 November
2015
July 2017 –(6)
Provincial
House
Sheffield 107 December
2015
July 2017 –(6)
Development projects
Willowbank Glasgow 178 December
2014
July 2017 5.4(3)
Framwellgate Durham 110 June 2015 June 2017 –(5)
Forthside Stirling 204 August 2015 September
2017
–(5)
(1) Market value for these properties is based on progress of the development of the asset
to 31 December 2015 as taken from the Valuation Report.
77. (2) The Group acquired the land at 95 Talbot Street, Nottingham on 20 February 2015. The
details of a proposed forward funded development for the site are under negotiation.
Revised planning permission has been received increasing the number of beds from 65 to
property. (3) The figure represents the value of the Group's 50 per cent. joint venture interest in the
(4) The Group has exchanged conditional contracts on each of these properties,
completion of which is subject to a number of conditions. As at the date of the Prospectus,
the Group therefore holds no property interest in relation to such projects and
consequently they have not been valued for the purposes of the Valuation Report.
Report. (5) The Group has exchanged conditional contracts on each of these development sites,
subject to planning consent being obtained and other conditions being satisfied. As at the
date of the Prospectus, the Group therefore holds no property interest in relation to such
projects and consequently they have not been valued for the purposes of the Valuation
B.46. Net Asset Value The Company has published an unaudited Net Asset Value
per Share as at 31 December 2015 of 105.4 pence.
Section C – Securities
Element Disclosure
Requirement
Disclosure
C.1. Type and class of
securities
The Company intends to issue up to 165 million Shares
pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme.
The Initial
Issue (comprising the Initial Placing, the Initial Open Offer
and the Initial Offer for Subscription) has a target size of £90
million.
The ISIN of the Shares is GB00BLWDVR75 and the SEDOL
is BLWDVR7. The ISIN for the Basic Entitlement under the
Initial Open Offer is GB00BYP7YR81 and the SEDOL is
BYP7YR81. The ISIN for the Excess Open Offer Entitlement
under the Initial Open Offer is GB00BYP7ZY20 and the
SEDOL is BYP7ZY20. The ticker for the Company is ESP.
C.2. Currency Sterling.
C.3. Issued Shares As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date
prior to the publication of the Prospectus), the issued share
capital of the Company was £3,850,000.01 divided into
385,000,001 Shares of £0.01 each.
C.4. Description of the
rights attaching to
the securities
The Shares will rank in full for all dividends and distributions
declared, made or paid after their issue and otherwise pari
passu in all respects with each existing Share then in issue
and will have the same rights (including voting and dividend
rights and rights on a return of capital) and restrictions as
each existing Share, as set out in the Articles. For the
avoidance of doubt, subscribers for Shares will not be
entitled to the interim dividend of 1.5 pence per Share for the
quarter ended 31 December 2015 (in relation to such new
Shares) declared on 1 March 2016, which will be paid to
Shareholders on the register on 12 March 2016.
C.5. Restrictions on the
free transferability
of the securities
There are no restrictions on the free transferability of the
Shares.
C.6. Admission Application will be made to the UKLA and the London Stock
Exchange respectively for the Shares to be admitted to the
premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on
the Main Market.
C.7. Dividend policy The Company intends to pay dividends on a quarterly basis
with dividends ordinarily declared in February, May, August
and November in each year and paid within one month of
being declared.
The Company has a target to achieve a dividend of 6 pence
per Share
for the financial year ending 30 June 2016,
provided that the Company can continue to successfully
implement its investment policy. Thereafter dividends are
expected to grow by at least the rate of RPI inflation.
In order to comply with and maintain REIT status, the Group
will be required to meet a minimum distribution test for each
accounting period that it is a REIT. This minimum distribution
test requires the Company to distribute 90 per cent. of the
income profits of the Property Rental Business for each
accounting period, as adjusted for tax purposes.
The Company will also target an annualised Shareholder
return of 13 per cent. per annum (based on the IPO issue
price) over the medium term following full investment of the
net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme.
Investors should note that the figures in relation to
dividends, total shareholder return and targeted annual
growth in NAV set out above are for illustrative purposes
only and are not intended to be, and should not be taken as,
a profit forecast or estimate.
Section D – Risks
Element Disclosure
Requirement
Disclosure
D.1. Key information on The Company has a limited operating history
the key risks that
are specific to the
Company or its
industry
The Company was incorporated on 11 February 2014 and
was listed on 30 June 2014. As the Company has a limited
operating history, investors have a limited basis on which to
evaluate the Company's ability to achieve its investment
objective and provide a satisfactory investment return.
The Company may not meet its investment objective
Meeting the investment objective is a target but the
existence of such an objective should not be considered as
an assurance or guarantee that it can or will be met.
Investor
returns
will
be
dependent
upon
the
performance of the Property Portfolio and the Company
may experience fluctuations in its operating results
Returns achieved are reliant primarily upon the performance
of the Property Portfolio. No assurance is given, express or
implied, that Shareholders will be able to realise the amount
of their original investment in the Shares.
The Group's rental income and property values may be
adversely affected by increased supply of student
accommodation, the failure to collect rents, increasing
operating costs or any deterioration in the quality of the
properties in the Property Portfolio
Rental income and property values may be adversely
affected by increased supply of student accommodation, the
failure to collect rents because of tenants' inability to pay or
otherwise, the periodic need to renovate and the costs
thereof and increased operating costs. A decrease in rental
income and/or on property values may have a material
adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset
Value and the price of the Shares.

The Group may not be able to maintain or increase the rental rates for its rooms, which may, in the longer term, have a material adverse impact on the value of the Group's properties, as well as the Group's turnover

The value of the Group's properties and the Group's turnover will be dependent on the rental rates that can be achieved from the properties in the Property Portfolio. The ability of the Group to maintain or increase the rental rates for its rooms and properties generally may be adversely affected by general UK economic conditions and/or the disposable income of students. Any failure to maintain or increase the rental rates for the Group's rooms and properties generally may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Group's properties as well as the Group's turnover and the Group's ability to meet interest and capital repayments on any debt facilities.

The Group may not be able to maintain the occupancy rates of the Group's properties or any other student accommodation properties it acquires, which may have a material adverse effect on the Group's revenue performance, margins and asset values

The ability of the Group to maintain attractive occupancy levels (or to maintain such levels on economically favourable terms) in relation to its properties may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including a fall in the number of students, competing sites, any harm to the reputation of the Group amongst universities, students or other potential customers, or as a result of other local or national factors. A fall in occupancy levels may have a material adverse effect on the Group's revenue performance, margins and asset values.

Property valuation is inherently subjective and uncertain

The valuation of the Group's properties is inherently subjective, in part because all property valuations are made on the basis of assumptions that may not prove to be accurate, and, in part, because of the individual nature of each property. This is particularly so where there has been more limited transactional activity in the market against which the Group's property valuations can be benchmarked by the Group's external valuer. Valuations of the Group's investments may not reflect actual sale prices or optimal purchase prices even where any such transactions occur shortly after the relevant valuation date.

Competition with other participants in the student accommodation sector

In recent years a number of UK and international property investors have become active in the UK student accommodation sector. The Group also faces the threat of new competitors emerging. Such competitors may have access to larger financial resources than the Group and/or be targeting lower investment returns. Competition in the student accommodation sector may lead to an oversupply of rooms through overdevelopment, to prices for existing properties or land for development being inflated through competing bids by potential purchasers or to the rents to be achieved from existing properties being adversely impacted by an oversupply of rooms. This could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Availability of investment opportunities

The availability of potential investments which meet the Company's investment strategy will depend on the state of the economy and financial markets in the UK. The Company can offer no assurance that it will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with its investment objective and investment policy or that it will be able to fully invest its available capital. The inability to find, or agree terms for, such investment opportunities could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Construction of the Group's development projects may be subject to delays or disruptions that are outside of the Group's control

The Group will depend on skilled third party contractors for the timely construction of its developments in accordance with UK standards of quality and safety. The process of construction may be delayed or disrupted by a number of factors, such as inclement weather or acts of nature, industrial accidents, defective building methods or materials and the insolvency of the contractor. Any of these factors, alone or in combination, could delay or disrupt the construction process by halting the construction process or damaging materials or the development itself. In addition, the costs of construction depends primarily on the costs of materials and labour, which may be subject to significant unforeseen increases. The Group may not be able to recover cost overruns under its insurance policies or from the responsible contractor or sub-contractor or may incur holding costs and the development may decrease in value and the Group many sustain reputational damage, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

If the Group fails to remain a REIT for UK tax purposes, its profits and gains will be subject to UK corporation tax

Minor breaches of certain conditions within the REIT regime may only result in additional tax being payable or may not be penalised if remedied within a given period of time, provided that the regime is not breached more than a certain number of times. A serious breach of these regulations may lead to the Group ceasing to be a REIT. If the Company or the Group fails to meet certain of the statutory requirements to maintain its status as a REIT, it may be subject to UK

corporation tax on its property rental income profits and any
chargeable gains on the sale of some or all properties. This
could reduce the reserves available to make distributions to
Shareholders and the yield on the Shares. In addition,
incurring a UK corporation tax liability might require the
Company and the Group to borrow funds, liquidate some of
its assets or take other steps that could negatively affect its
operating results. Moreover, if the Group's REIT status is
withdrawn altogether because of its failure to meet one or
more REIT qualification requirements, it may be disqualified
from being a REIT from the end of the accounting period
preceding that in which the failure occurred.
D.3. Key information on
the key risks that
are specific to the
Shares
The Shares may trade at a discount to NAV per Share
and Shareholders may be unable to realise their
investments through the secondary market at NAV per
Share
The Shares may trade at a discount to NAV per Share for a
variety of reasons, including adverse market conditions, a
deterioration in investors' perceptions of the merits of the
Company's investment objective and investment policy, an
excess of supply over demand in the Shares, and to the
extent investors undervalue the management activities of
the
Executive
Directors
or
discount
the
valuation
methodology and judgments made by the Company. While
the Directors may seek to mitigate any discount to NAV per
Share through such discount management mechanisms as
they consider appropriate, there can be no guarantee that
they will do so or that such mechanisms will be successful.
The value and/or market price of the Shares may go
down as well as up
Prospective investors should be aware that the value and/or
market price of the Shares may go down as well as up and
that the market price of the Shares may not reflect the
underlying value of the Company. Investors may, therefore,
realise less than, or lose all of, their investment.
The Company may in the future issue new equity, which
may dilute Shareholders' equity
The Company may seek to issue new equity in the future
pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme or otherwise.
While the Companies Act contains statutory pre-emption
rights for Shareholders in relation to issues of shares in
consideration for cash, such rights can be disapplied, and
have been disapplied in relation to the maximum amount of
Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Share Issuance
Programme. Where statutory pre-emption rights are
disapplied, any additional equity financing will be dilutive to
those Shareholders who cannot, or choose not to,
participate in such financing.
Future sales of Shares could cause the market price of
the Shares to fall
Sales of Shares or interests in Shares by significant
investors could depress the market price of the Shares. A
substantial amount of Shares being sold, or the perception
that sales of this type could occur, could also depress the
market price of the Shares. Both scenarios, occurring either
individually or collectively, may make it more difficult for
Shareholders to sell the Shares at a time and price that they
deem appropriate.
Section E – Offer
Element Disclosure
Requirement
Disclosure
E.1. Proceeds and
Expenses
The total net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme
will depend on the number of Shares issued throughout the
Share Issuance Programme, the issue price of such Shares,
and the aggregate costs and commissions for each
Tranche. However the aggregate costs and commissions of
each Tranche will be fixed at a level of 2 per cent. of the
gross issue proceeds of that Tranche.
E.2.a. Reason for offer
and use of
proceeds
The Share Issuance Programme (including the Initial Issue)
is being undertaken in order to raise further equity funds
which, when combined with available and proposed future
debt, will allow the Group to acquire further student
accommodation assets and in order to achieve its stated
objective.
The proceeds from the Share Issuance Programme
(including the Initial Issue) will be utilised by the Group to
fund future investments in student accommodation assets in
accordance with the Group's investment policy and for
general corporate purposes.
E.3. Terms and
conditions of the
offer
The Company intends to issue up to 165 million Shares
pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme. Shares will
only be issued at times when the Company considers that
suitable investments in accordance with the Company's
investment policy will be capable of being secured.
The Share Issuance Programme is flexible and may have a
number of closing dates in order to provide the Company
with the ability to issue Shares on appropriate occasions
over a period of time. The Share Issuance Programme is
intended to satisfy market demand for the Shares and to
raise further money for investment in accordance with the
Company's investment policy.
Subject to the requirements of the Listing Rules, the price at
which each new Share will be issued will be calculated by
reference to the latest published Net Asset Value per Share.
The Issue Price of the Shares to be issued under the Initial
Issue is
107.5
pence per Share. The Initial Issue is
conditional, inter alia, on the passing of the resolutions to be
proposed at the Company's General Meeting convened for
17 March 2016 and Initial Admission of the Shares to be
issued pursuant to the Initial Issue occurring by no later than
8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 (or such later date as Jefferies
and the Company may agree, not being later than 8.00 a.m.
on 30 April 2016).
E.4. Material interests Not applicable. No interest is material to the Share Issuance
Programme (including the Initial Issue).
E.5. Name of person
selling securities
Not applicable. No person or entity is offering to sell Shares
as part of the Share Issuance Programme (including the
Initial Issue).
E.6. Dilution Existing Shareholders who do not participate in the Share
Issuance Programme may have their percentage holding in
the Company diluted on the issue of new Shares.
E.7. Estimated Expenses The Company will not charge investors any separate costs
or expenses in connection with any issue under the Share
Issuance Programme (including the Initial Issue). The costs
and
expenses
(including
commission)
incurred
in
connection with the Initial Issue will be 2 per cent. of Gross
Proceeds (and assuming Gross Proceeds of £90 million will
be £1.8 million) and will be borne by the Company.
The issue price of Shares issued pursuant to the Share
Issuance Programme shall include a premium to the Net
Asset Value per Share and the costs and expenses of such
issue
payable
by
subscribers
(including
placing
commissions) will be borne out of such premium).

THIS REGISTRATION DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt about the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice immediately from an independent financial adviser who is authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) ("FSMA") if you are in the United Kingdom, or from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser if you are in a territory outside the United Kingdom.

This Registration Document, the Securities Note and the Summary together constitute a prospectus relating to Empiric Student Property Plc (the "Company") (the "Prospectus") prepared in accordance with the Prospectus Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") made pursuant to section 84 of FSMA and has been filed with the FCA in accordance with Rule 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules. The Prospectus will be made available to the public in accordance with Rule 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules at www.empiric.co.uk.

This Registration Document is valid for a period of up to 12 months following its publication and will not be updated. A future prospectus for any issuance of additional Shares may, for a period of up to 12 months from the date of the publication of this Registration Document, consist of this Registration Document, a Future Summary and a Future Securities Note applicable to each issue and subject to a separate approval by the FCA on each issue. Persons receiving this Registration Document should read the Prospectus together as a whole and should be aware that any update in respect of a Future Summary and Future Securities Note may constitute a material change for the purpose of the Prospectus Rules.

The Company and the Directors, whose names appear on page 19 of this Registration Document, accept responsibility for the information contained in this Registration Document. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Company and the Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this Registration Document is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

EMPIRIC STUDENT PROPERTY PLC

(incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 08886906 and registered as an investment company under Section 833 of the Companies Act)

REGISTRATION DOCUMENT

Sponsor, Joint Financial Adviser and Sole Global Coordinator and Bookrunner Joint Financial Adviser

JEFFERIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AKUR LIMITED

Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Registration Document) as a client and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Jefferies, nor for providing advice.

Akur Limited ("Akur") is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA. Akur is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Registration Document) as a client and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Akur, nor for providing advice.

Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Jefferies and Akur by FSMA, or the regulatory regime established thereunder, or under the regulatory regime of any other jurisdiction where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be illegal, void or unenforceable, Jefferies and Akur do not accept any responsibility whatsoever and make no representation or warranty, express or implied, for the contents of this Registration Document, including its accuracy or completeness, or for any other statement made or purported to be made by either of them, or on behalf of them, the Company or any other person in connection with the Company or the Shares and nothing contained in this Registration Document is or shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. Each of Jefferies and Akur accordingly disclaims all and any responsibility or liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of this Registration Document or any such statement.

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or with any securities or regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and the Shares may not be offered, sold, exercised, resold, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act ("Regulation S")), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States. There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States. The Shares are being offered or sold only, (i) outside the United States to non U.S. Persons in offshore transactions in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by Regulation S thereunder, and (ii) to persons that are "qualified institutional buyers" (as the term is defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act) that are also "qualified purchasers" within the meaning of section 2(a) (51) of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "U.S. Investment Company Act") in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of the U.S. Investment Company Act.

Copies of this Registration Document, the Securities Note and the Summary (along with any Future Securities Note and Future Summary) will be available on the Company's website (www.empiric.co.uk) and the National Storage Mechanism of the FCA at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm.

Dated: 1 March 2016

CONTENTS

Page
RISK FACTORS 4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 15
DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS 19
PART 1 INFORMATION ON THE GROUP 21
PART 2 THE PROPERTY PORTFOLIO 34
PART 3 THE UK STUDENT ACCOMMODATION MARKET 58
PART 4 DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATION 65
PART 5 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE GROUP 72
PART 6 VALUATION REPORT 76
PART 7 REIT STATUS AND TAXATION 98
PART 8 GENERAL INFORMATION 114
PART 9 DEFINITIONS AND GLOSSARY 163

RISK FACTORS

Prospective investors should note that the risks relating to the Group and its industry and the Shares summarised in the "Summary" are the risks that the Board believes to be the most essential to an assessment by a prospective investor of whether to consider an investment in the Shares. However, as the risks which the Group faces relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future, prospective investors should consider not only the information on the key risks summarised in the "Summary" but also, among other things, the risks and uncertainties described below and in the section headed "Risk Factors" in the Securities Note.

The Directors believe the risks described below are the material risks relating to an investment in the Shares and the Company at the date of this Registration Document. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Directors, or that the Directors deem immaterial at the date of this Registration Document, may also have an adverse effect on the performance of the Company and the value of the Shares. In addition specific risk factors in respect of the Shares will be set out in the Summary and Securities Note or any Future Summary and Future Securities Note prepared in respect of this Registration Document.

RISKS RELATING TO THE GROUP

The Company has a limited operating history

The Company was incorporated on 11 February 2014 and was listed on 30 June 2014. As the Company has a limited operating history, investors have a limited basis on which to evaluate the Company's ability to achieve its investment objective and provide a satisfactory investment return.

The Company's returns and operating cash flows will depend on many factors, including the performance of its investments, the availability and liquidity of investment opportunities falling within the Company's investment objective and investment policy, conditions in the financial markets, real estate market and economy and the Company's ability to successfully operate its business and execute its investment objective and investment policy. There can be no assurance that the Company's investment objective and investment policy will be successful.

The Company may not meet its investment objective

The Company may not achieve its investment objective. Meeting the investment objective is a target but the existence of such an objective should not be considered as an assurance or guarantee that it can or will be met.

The Company's investment objective includes the aim of providing Shareholders with regular, sustainable and growing long-term dividends. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends by the Company are subject to the discretion of the Directors and will depend upon, amongst other things, the Company successfully pursuing its investment policy and the Company's earnings, financial position, cash requirements, level and rate of borrowings and availability of profit, as well the provisions of relevant laws or generally accepted accounting principles from time to time. There can be no assurance as to the level and/or payment of future dividends by the Company.

The Company's investment objective includes the aim of providing Shareholders with capital appreciation over the medium to long term. The amount of any capital appreciation will depend upon, amongst other things, the Company successfully pursuing its investment policy and the performance of the Company's investments. There can be no assurance as to the level of any capital appreciation over the long term.

The Company's targeted returns are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, and the actual rate of return may be materially lower than the targeted returns

The Company's targeted returns set out in this Registration Document are targets only and are based on estimates and assumptions about a variety of factors including, without limitation, asset mix, value, holding periods, performance of the Company's investments, investment liquidity and interest rates, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and market uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are beyond the Company's control and which may adversely affect the Company's ability to achieve its targeted returns. The Company may not be able to implement its investment objective and investment policy in a manner that generates returns in line with the targets. Furthermore, the targeted returns are based on the market conditions and the economic environment at the time of assessing the targeted returns, and are therefore subject to change. In particular, the targeted returns assume no material changes occur in government regulations or other policies, or in law and taxation, and that the Company is not affected by natural disasters, terrorism, social unrest or civil disturbances or the occurrence of risks described elsewhere in this Registration Document. There is no guarantee that actual (or any) returns can be achieved at or near the levels set out in this Registration Document. Accordingly, the actual rate of return achieved may be materially lower than the targeted returns, or may result in a partial or total loss, which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Dependence on the Executive Directors

The Group's ability to achieve its investment objective is partially dependent on the performance of the Executive Directors in terms of the acquisition of investments for the Group, the carrying out of the Group's development projects, the management of the Group's properties and the determination of any financing arrangements. The performance of the Executive Directors cannot be guaranteed. Failure by the Executive Directors to acquire and manage assets effectively could materially adversely affect the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Consequently, the future ability of the Group to successfully pursue its investment strategy may, among other things, depend on the ability of the Company to retain its existing Executive Directors and other staff and/or to recruit individuals of similar experience and calibre. Whilst the Company has and will endeavour to ensure that the Executive Directors are suitably incentivised, the retention of Executive Directors cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, in the event of a departure of an Executive Director, there is no guarantee that the Company would be able to recruit a suitable replacement or that any delay in doing so would not adversely affect the performance of the Group. Events impacting but not entirely within the Company's control, such as its financial performance, it being acquired or making acquisitions or changes to its internal policies and structures could in turn affect its ability to retain any or all of the Executive Directors.

An appreciation in the value of Sterling may decrease demand for accommodation by international students

It is expected that a significant majority of the tenants in the Group's properties will continue to be international students. As such, any appreciation in the value of Sterling may decrease demand for accommodation by international students which may materially and adversely impact the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and price of the Shares.

The Group's performance will depend on general property and investment market conditions

The Group's performance will depend to a significant extent on property values in the United Kingdom. An overall downturn in the UK property market and/or the availability of credit to the UK property sector may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Property Portfolio and ultimately upon the Net Asset Value and the ability of the Group to generate revenues.

Investor returns will be dependent upon the performance of the Property Portfolio and the Company may experience fluctuations in its operating results

Returns achieved are reliant primarily upon the performance of the Property Portfolio. No assurance is given, express or implied, that Shareholders will be able to realise the amount of their original investment in the Shares.

The Company may experience fluctuations in its operating results due to a number of factors, including changes in the values of properties in the Property Portfolio from time to time, changes in the Group's rental income, operating expenses, occupancy rates, the degree to which the Group encounters competition and general economic and market conditions. Such variability may be reflected in dividends, may lead to volatility in the trading price of the Shares and may cause the Company's results for a particular period not to be indicative of its performance in a future period.

The Group's rental income and property values may be adversely affected by increased supply of student accommodation, the failure to collect rents, increasing operating costs or any deterioration in the quality of the properties in the Property Portfolio

Rental income and property values may be adversely affected by an increase in the supply of student accommodation, the failure to collect rents because of tenants' inability to pay or otherwise, the periodic need to renovate and the costs thereof and increased operating costs. A decrease in rental income and/or on property values may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

The Group may not be able to maintain or increase the rental rates for its rooms, which may, in the longer term, have a material adverse impact on the value of the Group's properties, as well as the Group's turnover

The value of the Group's properties, and the Group's turnover will be dependent on the rental rates that can be achieved from the properties in the Property Portfolio. The ability of the Group to maintain or increase the rental rates for its rooms and properties generally may be adversely affected by general UK economic conditions and/or the disposable income of students. In addition, there may be other factors that depress rents or restrict the Group's ability to increase rental rates, including local factors relating to particular properties/locations (such as increased competition) and any harm to the reputation of the Group amongst universities, students or other potential customers. Any failure to maintain or increase the rental rates for the Group's rooms and properties generally may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Group's properties as well as the Group's turnover and the Group's ability to meet interest and capital repayments on any debt facilities.

Changes in laws, regulations and/or government policy may adversely affect the Group's business

The Group and its operations are subject to laws and regulations enacted in the UK by central and local government and central government policy. Any change in the laws, regulations and/or central government policy affecting the Group may have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Group to successfully pursue its investment policy and meet its investment objective and on the value of the Company and the Shares. In such event, the investment returns of the Company may be materially adversely affected. Such potential changes in law, regulation and/or government policy include:

• increased tuition fees, decreased student loans and/or grants and reducing the number of international students granted student visas which may reduce student numbers (both from the United Kingdom and overseas) and reduce students' disposable income which may in turn reduce demand for student accommodation and rents;

  • more onerous health and safety and environmental legislation and regulation which may increase the costs of compliance and reduce the Group's earnings; and
  • less onerous planning legislation and regulation which may result in increased supply of student accommodation, adversely impact occupancy rates and reduce rents. Conversely more onerous planning regulation could adversely effect the Group's development activities.

The Group may not be able to maintain the occupancy rates of the Group's properties or any other student accommodation properties it acquires, which may have a material adverse effect on the Group's revenue performance, margins and asset values

The ability of the Group to maintain attractive occupancy levels (or to maintain such levels on economically favourable terms) in relation to its properties may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including a fall in the number of students, competing sites, any harm to the reputation of the Group amongst universities, students or other potential customers, or as a result of other local or national factors. A fall in occupancy levels may have a material adverse effect on the Group's revenue performance, margins and asset values.

Reliance on service providers and other third parties

The Group will rely on the services of certain third party service providers for the provision of a number of functions which are important to the operation of the Group's business. In particular, the Administrator, the Depositary and the facilities and lettings managers engaged by the Group in relation to its properties, and their respective delegates, if any, perform services that are important to the Group's operations. Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to the Group in accordance with the terms of its appointment, to exercise due care and skill, or to perform its obligations to the Group at all as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or other causes could have a material adverse effect on the Group's performance and returns to Shareholders. To the extent that these third parties are unable or unwilling to perform their contractual commitments, there is a risk of reputational damage to the Group, or that the Group will have to seek alternative contractors (or to perform such services itself) which could be difficult or more costly. The termination of the Group's relationship with any third party service provider or any delay in appointing a replacement for such service provider, could disrupt the business of the Group materially and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares. Further, misconduct or misrepresentations by employees of the third party service providers could cause significant losses to the Company.

Past performance cannot be relied upon as an indicator of future performance

The past performance of the Group's properties, and of the Executive Directors, cannot be relied upon as an indicator of the future performance of the Company. Investor returns will be dependent on the Company successfully pursuing its investment objective and investment policy. The success of the Company will depend, amongst other things, on the Executive Directors' ability to identify and acquire investments in accordance with the Company's investment policy. There can be no assurance that they will be able to do so. An investor may not get back the amount originally invested. The Company can offer no assurance that investments will generate gains or income or that any gains or income that may be generated on particular investments will be sufficient to offset any losses that may be sustained.

The Group's investments will be illiquid and may be difficult or impossible to realise at any particular time

The Group will invest in student residential accommodation. Such investments are illiquid and may be difficult for the Group to sell and the price achieved on any such realisation may be at a discount to the prevailing valuation of the relevant investment which may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Property valuation is inherently subjective and uncertain

The valuation of the Group's properties is inherently subjective, in part because all property valuations are made on the basis of assumptions that may not prove to be accurate, and, in part, because of the individual nature of each property. This is particularly so where there has been more limited transactional activity in the market against which the Group's property valuations can be benchmarked by the Group's external valuer. Valuations of the Group's investments may not reflect actual sale prices or optimal purchase prices even where any such transactions occur shortly after the relevant valuation date.

The Group may invest in properties through investments in various property-owning vehicles, and may in the future utilise a variety of investment structures for the purpose of investing in property. Where a property or an interest in a property is acquired through a company or investment structure, the value of the company or investment structure may not be the same as the value of the underlying property due, for example, to tax, environmental, contingent, and contractual or other liabilities, or structural considerations. As a result, there can be no assurance that the value of investments made through those structures will fully reflect the value of the underlying property.

Competition with other participants in the student accommodation sector

In recent years a number of UK and international property investors have become active in the UK student accommodation sector. The Group also faces the threat of new competitors emerging. Such competitors may have access to larger financial resources than the Group and/or be targeting lower investment returns. Competition in the student accommodation sector may lead to an oversupply of rooms through overdevelopment, to prices for existing properties or land for development being inflated through competing bids by potential purchasers or to the rents to be achieved from existing properties being adversely impacted by an oversupply of rooms. Accordingly, the existence of such competition may have a material adverse effect on the Group's ability to secure tenants for its properties at satisfactory rental rates and on a timely basis and to acquire properties or develop land at satisfactory cost. This could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Availability of investment opportunities

The availability of potential investments which meet the Company's investment strategy will depend on the state of the economy and financial markets in the UK. The Company can offer no assurance that it will be able to identify and make further investments that are consistent with its investment objective and investment policy or that it will be able to fully invest its available capital.

Investment opportunities that may be identified by the Company as being potential investments for the Group may be in the process of due diligence and/or negotiation or discussion. There is no guarantee that these investment opportunities will continue to be available in the future at a time or in a form which is convenient for the Group or that the Group will or will be able to invest in these opportunities. The inability to find, or agree terms for, such investment opportunities could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the value of the Shares.

The Group's due diligence may not identify all risks and liabilities in respect of an acquisition or lease agreement

Prior to entering into an agreement to acquire any property, the Group will perform due diligence on the proposed investment. In doing so, it would typically rely, in part, on third parties to conduct a significant portion of this due diligence (including legal reports on title and property valuations). To the extent that such third parties underestimate or fail to identify risks and liabilities (including any environmental liabilities) associated with the investment in question, the Group may be subject to defects in title, to environmental, structural or operational defects requiring remediation, or the Group may be unable to obtain necessary permits which may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

A due diligence failure may also result in properties that are acquired failing to perform in accordance with projections, particularly as to rent and occupancy, which may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Any costs associated with potential pipeline investments that do not proceed to completion will affect the Group's performance

The Group may be required to put down a deposit and expects to incur certain third-party costs in respect of potential pipeline investments, including in connection with financing, valuations and professional services associated with the sourcing and analysis of suitable assets. There can be no assurance that the Group will not forfeit any deposit or as to the level of such costs. The forfeiture of a deposit may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares and there can be no guarantee that the Group will be successful in its negotiations to acquire any given potential pipeline investment.

The Group may suffer losses in excess of insurance proceeds, if any, or from uninsurable events

Although the Group expects to have the benefit of insurance coverage for reinstatement costs and loss of rental income for all of its properties, and the benefit of certain insurance policies covering such matters as restrictive covenants and rights of light, the Group's properties may suffer physical damage resulting in losses (including loss of rent) and/or face other claims which may not be fully compensated for by insurance, or at all. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, the Group may lose capital invested in the affected property as well as anticipated future revenue from that property and the Group might also remain liable for any debt or other financial obligations related to that property. Any material uninsured losses may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

There is a risk of accidents causing personal injury at premises owned by the Group, which could result in litigation against the Group and/or harm the Group's reputation

There is a risk of accidents at premises owned by the Group, which could result in personal injury to tenants, people visiting the premises, employees, contractors or members of the public. The Group has public liability insurance in place which the Directors consider will provide an adequate level of protection against third party claims. However, should an accident attract publicity or be of a size and/or nature that is not adequately covered by insurance, the resulting publicity and costs could have an adverse impact on the Group's reputation, profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

The Group is exposed to risks related to the UK government's decision to hold a referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU.

The Group faces potential risks associated with the proposed referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU (to be held on 23 June 2016) and potential uncertainty preceding and following the referendum. If the outcome of the referendum is a vote in favour of the UK leaving the EU, this could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

In particular a vote in favour of the UK exiting the EU could result in higher tuition fees being payable by EU students which may deter them from choosing to study and live in the UK. It could also result in prolonged uncertainty regarding aspects of the UK economy and damage investors' confidence in the UK more generally. In addition, certain regulations applicable to the Group, such as the AIFM Directive and its EU passporting regime, may no longer be available to the Group which may affect the ability of the Company to market the Shares to EU resident investors and may increase compliance and operating costs.

A vote in favour of the UK exiting the EU may also increase the possibility of another referendum on Scottish independence from the UK, creating further uncertainty on Scotland's position within the UK. Should Scotland subsequently become independent, it is currently unclear what effect (if any) this may have on the Group and any assets it has or acquires which are located in Scotland. While the Group is monitoring and assessing the potential impacts on its business of a referendum vote in favour of an EU exit, the situation is currently uncertain.

Risks relating to the use of leverage

Certain Group companies have, and the Group expects in the future, to take on leverage in accordance with the Company's borrowing policy. Investors should be aware that, whilst the use of borrowings should enhance Net Asset Value per Share, where the value of the Group's underlying assets is rising, it will have the opposite effect where the underlying asset value is declining. In addition, in the event that the rental income derived from the Group's property assets declines, including as a result of defaults by tenants pursuant to their leases with the Group, the use of borrowings will amplify the impact of such declines on the net revenue of the Group and, accordingly, this may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, dividend payments, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

If the value of the Group's assets falls, the Net Asset Value of the Company will reduce. Furthermore, the borrowings which certain Group companies use (and which the Group will in the future use) are expected to contain loan to value covenants, being the accepted market practice in the UK. If real estate assets owned by Group companies and used as collateral for any borrowings decrease in value such covenants could be breached, and the impact of such an event could include: an increase in borrowing costs; a call for additional capital from the lender; or payment of a fee to the lender; or in such cases where other remedies were not available, it could require a sale of an asset, or a forfeit of any asset to a lender, this could result in a total or partial loss of equity value for each specific asset, or indeed the Group as a whole.

Any increase in Sterling interest rates could have an adverse impact on the Group's cost of borrowing or its ability to secure borrowing facilities and could result in the expected dividends of the Company being reduced and a reduction in the price of the Shares.

Group companies may incur debt with interest payable based on LIBOR. Depending upon market conditions, the relevant borrowing Group companies may hedge or partially hedge interest rate exposure on borrowings, however such measures may not be sufficient to protect the Group from adverse movements in prevailing interest rates to the extent exposures are unhedged or hedges are inadequate to offer full protection. If exposures are hedged, interest rate movements may lead to mark-to-market movements in the value of the hedging instrument, which may be positive or negative and upon breaking of such hedges may cause crystallisation of gains or losses for the Group. In addition, hedging arrangements expose the Group to credit risk in respect of the hedging counterparty. Increased exposure to interest rate movements may have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, dividend payments, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Any amounts that are secured by a Group company under a loan facility are likely to rank ahead of Shareholders' entitlements and accordingly, should the Group's assets generate insufficient returns to cover the Group's operating costs and interest expense, Shareholders may not recover their initial investment on a liquidation of the Company or when they sell their Shares.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

Pursuant to the Company's investment policy, the Company may commit up to a maximum of 15 per cent. of its Net Asset Value (measured at the commencement of the project) to expenditure in relation to development or forward funded projects (including conversion of buildings to student accommodation). The following risk factors are those considered to be material in respect of the Group's real estate development activities and may singly or in combination reduce the value of the Group's assets.

Commercial risks associated with real estate development

The Group's development activities are likely to involve a higher degree of risk than is associated with its operating properties and will require the Group to assess each development opportunity, including the return on investment, transport and other infrastructure attributes of the location, the quality of the specification, the configuration and the flexibility of accommodation and the timing and delivery of the completed property. Inaccurate assessment of a development opportunity or a decrease in tenant demand due to competition from other student accommodation properties or adverse market conditions, could result in a substantial proportion of the development remaining vacant after completion. Such vacancies would affect the level of rental income obtained, the amount of realised sales proceeds and the value of the development property, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Risks associated with the planning application and approval process

In the event that planning applications for the Group's development projects are unsuccessful or are granted subject to constraints or conditions which the Group regards as unacceptable or onerous (and which the Group is unsuccessful, or concludes is unlikely to be successful, in removing), then the Group may conclude that it is not likely to realise anticipated value from such development opportunities and, accordingly, may decide not to proceed with, or to defer, construction. In any event, the decision to proceed with construction of any development will depend upon the Group's assessment that such development project is likely to provide a satisfactory return on investment having regard to such factors as the cost of construction, timing and delivery of completed property, planning and development constraints and conditions, and local and general market conditions. The Group may defer or decide not to proceed with construction of any development that does not satisfactorily meet its assessment criteria. The failure to obtain satisfactory planning permission or any decision to defer or not proceed with construction could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

Construction of the Group's development projects may be subject to delays or disruptions that are outside of the Group's control

The Group will depend on skilled third party contractors for the timely construction of its developments in accordance with UK standards of quality and safety. The process of construction may be delayed or disrupted by a number of factors, such as inclement weather or acts of nature, industrial accidents, defective building methods or materials and the insolvency of the contractor. Any of these factors, alone or in combination, could delay or disrupt the construction process by halting the construction process or damaging materials or the development itself. In addition, the costs of construction depends primarily on the costs of materials and labour, which may be subject to significant unforeseen increases. The Group may not be able to recover cost overruns under its insurance policies or from the responsible contractor or sub-contractor or may incur holding costs, the development may decrease in value and the Group may sustain reputational damage, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

The Group's development projects will be subject to the hazards and risks normally associated with the construction and development of real estate assets

The Group's development projects will be subject to the hazards and risks normally associated with the construction and development of real estate assets, including personal injury and property damage. The occurrence of any of these events could result in significant increased operating costs, reputational damage, fines, legal fees, or criminal prosecution of the companies within the Group, and their directors or management, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.

RISKS RELATING TO TAXATION AND REGULATION

A change in the Company's tax status or in taxation legislation in the UK could adversely affect the Company's profits and portfolio value and/or returns to Shareholders

The levels of, and reliefs from, taxation may change, adversely affecting the financial prospects of the Company and/or the returns payable to Shareholders.

Any change in the Company's tax status or in taxation legislation in the UK (including a change in interpretation of such legislation) could affect the Company's ability to achieve its investment objective or provide favourable returns to Shareholders. In particular, an increase in the rates of SDLT or the abolition of Multiple Dwelling Relief could have a material effect on the value of the Group's property assets and the price at which UK property assets can be acquired. Any such change could also adversely affect the net amount of any dividends payable to Shareholders and/or the price of the Shares.

There is no guarantee that the Group will maintain REIT status

The Company cannot guarantee that the Group will maintain REIT status nor can it guarantee continued compliance with all of the REIT conditions and there is a risk that the REIT regime may cease to apply in some circumstances. HMRC may require the Group to exit the REIT regime if:

  • it regards a breach of conditions or failure to satisfy the conditions relating to the REIT status of the Company or the Group, or an attempt to obtain a tax advantage, as sufficiently serious;
  • the Company or the Group has committed a certain number of breaches in a specified period; or
  • HMRC has given members of the Group at least two notices in relation to the avoidance of tax within a 10 year period.

If the conditions for REIT status relating to the share capital of the Company (i.e. the Company may issue only one class of ordinary share capital and/or issue non-voting restricted preference shares) or the prohibition on entering into loans with abnormal returns are breached, or the Company ceases to be UK tax resident, becomes dual tax resident or becomes an open-ended investment company, the Group will automatically lose its REIT status with effect from the end of the previous accounting period.

The Group could lose its status as a REIT as a result of actions by third parties, for example, in the event of a successful takeover by a company that is not a REIT, or due to a breach of the close company conditions after the period of 3 years beginning with the date the Group becomes a REIT, if it is unable to remedy the breach within a specified timeframe.

Future changes in legislation may cause the Group to lose its REIT status.

If the Group were to be required to leave the REIT regime within 10 years of joining, HMRC has wide powers to direct how it is to be taxed, including in relation to the date on which the Group is treated as exiting the REIT regime. The Group may also in such circumstances be subject to an increased tax charge.

If the Group fails to remain a REIT for UK tax purposes, its profits and gains will be subject to UK corporation tax

The requirements for maintaining REIT status are complex. Minor breaches of certain conditions within the REIT regime may only result in additional tax being payable or will not be penalised if remedied within a given period of time, provided that the regime is not breached more than a certain number of times. A serious breach of these regulations may lead to the Group ceasing to be a REIT. If the Company or the Group fails to meet certain of the statutory requirements to maintain its status as a REIT, it may be subject to UK corporation tax on its property rental income profits and any chargeable gains on the sale of some or all properties. This could reduce the reserves available to make distributions to Shareholders and the yield on the Shares. In addition, incurring a UK corporation tax liability might require the Group to borrow funds, liquidate some of its assets or take other steps that could negatively affect its operating results. Moreover, if the Group's REIT status is withdrawn altogether because of its failure to meet one or more REIT qualification requirements, it may be disqualified from being a REIT from the end of the accounting period preceding that in which the failure occurred.

Distribution requirements may limit the Company's flexibility in executing its acquisition plans

The Group is intending to grow through acquisitions of operating properties and development of new properties. However, the REIT distribution requirements may limit the Group's ability to fund acquisitions and capital expenditures through retained income earnings. To maintain REIT status and as a result obtain full exemption from UK corporation tax on the profits of the Property Rental Business of the Group, the Company is required to distribute annually to Shareholders an amount sufficient to meet the 90 per cent. distribution test by way of Property Income Distributions. The Group would be required to pay tax at regular UK corporation tax rates on any shortfall to the extent that the Company distributes as Property Income Distributions less than the amount required to meet the 90 per cent. distribution test for each accounting period. Therefore, the Group's ability to grow through acquisitions of operating properties and development of new properties could be limited if the Group was unable to obtain debt or issue Shares.

In addition, differences in timing between the receipt of cash and the recognition of income for the purposes of the REIT rules and the effect of any potential debt amortisation payments could require the Group to borrow funds to meet the distribution requirements that are necessary to achieve the full tax benefits associated with qualifying as a REIT, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favourable for these borrowings.

As a result of these factors, the constraints of maintaining REIT status could limit the Group's flexibility to make investments.

The Group's status as a REIT may restrict the Company's distribution opportunities to Shareholders

A REIT may become subject to an additional tax charge if it makes a distribution to, or in respect of, a Substantial Shareholder, that is broadly a company which has rights to 10 per cent. or more of the distributions or Shares or controls at least 10 per cent. of the voting rights. This additional tax charge will not be incurred if the Company has taken reasonable steps to avoid paying distributions to a Substantial Shareholder. Therefore, the Articles contain provisions designed to avoid the situation where distributions may become payable to a Substantial Shareholder and these provisions are summarised at paragraph 3 of Part 7 of this Registration Document. These provisions provide the Directors with powers to identify Substantial Shareholders and to prohibit the payment of dividends on Shares that form part of a Substantial Shareholding, unless certain conditions are met. The Articles also allow the Directors to require the disposal of Shares forming part of a Substantial Shareholding in certain circumstances where the Substantial Shareholder has failed to comply with the above provisions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

GENERAL

This Registration Document should be read in its entirety, along with the Summary and the Securities Note or any Future Summary and Future Securities Note, before making any application for Shares. In assessing an investment in the Company, investors should rely only on the information in this Registration Document (together with the Summary and the Securities Note or any Future Summary and Future Securities Note).

No broker, dealer or other person has been authorised by the Company to issue any advertisement or to give any information or to make any representations in connection with the offering or sale of Shares other than those contained in this Registration Document (together with the Summary and the Securities Note or any Future Summary and Future Securities Note) and, if issued, given or made, such advertisement, information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Company.

Prospective investors should not treat the contents of this Registration Document as advice relating to legal, taxation, investment or any other matters. Prospective investors should inform themselves as to: (a) the legal requirements within their own countries for the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares; (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares which they might encounter; and (c) the income and other tax consequences which may apply in their own countries as a result of the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares. Prospective investors must rely upon their own legal advisers, accountants and other financial advisers as to legal, tax, investment or any other related matters concerning the Company and an investment in the Shares.

Statements made in this Registration Document are based on the law and practice in force in England and Wales as at the date of this Registration Document and are subject to changes therein.

This Registration Document should be read in its entirety before making any application for Shares. All Shareholders are entitled to the benefit of, and are bound by and are deemed to have notice of, the provisions of the Articles.

This Registration Document does not constitute, and may not be used for the purposes of, an offer or solicitation to anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The distribution of this Registration Document and the offering of Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted and accordingly persons into whose possession this Registration Document is received are required to inform themselves about and to observe such restrictions.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

In relation to each Relevant Member State, no Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that offers of Shares to the public may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they are implemented in that Relevant Member State:

• to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

  • to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive (as defined below), 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) in such Relevant Member State; or
  • in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in a Relevant Member State (other than the United Kingdom) and each person who initially acquires any Shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any offer of Shares in any Relevant Member State means a communication in any form and by any means presenting sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and the amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU (the "2010 PD Amending Directive")), to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

In addition, Shares will only be offered in any relevant EEA jurisdiction, (i) to the extent that the Company has given notification of its intention to market in such relevant EEA jurisdiction pursuant to the passporting regime established for full-scope EEA AIFMs under the AIFM Directive; or (ii) can otherwise be lawfully offered or sold (including on the basis of an unsolicited request from a professional investor) to an investor resident in such relevant EEA jurisdiction.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF THE NETHERLANDS

An offering for Shares is solely directed to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of section 1:1 of the Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht), as amended from time to time. No approved prospectus is required in connection with an offering in the Netherlands pursuant to the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC), as amended.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF BELGIUM

An offering for Shares is to be exclusively conducted under applicable private placement exceptions and therefore has not been and will not be notified to, and any other offering material has not been, and will not be approved by, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority pursuant to the Belgian laws and regulations applicable to the public offering of securities. Accordingly, this Registration Document and any other documents or materials related to the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Shares, may not be advertised, offered or distributed in any other way, directly or indirectly, (i) to any other person located and/or resident in Belgium other than a professional client within the meaning of Annex II to Directive 2004/39/EC or an eligible counterparty within the meaning of Article 24 of the same directive, or (ii) to any person qualifying as a consumer for the purposes of Book VI of the Belgian Code of economic law, unless this is in compliance with the relevant provisions of such code and the implementing regulation.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF SWITZERLAND

Neither the Shares nor this Registration Document or any other offering material relating to the Company may be distributed in or from Switzerland. The Company is not authorised by or registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA ("FINMA") under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). Therefore, investors do not benefit from protection under CISA or supervision by FINMA. Neither this Registration Document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Company constitutes a prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to article 652a or 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations or a prospectus pursuant to the CISA.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF GUERNSEY

The Shares may only be promoted in or from within the Bailiwick of Guernsey by persons regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as licensees under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (as amended). Persons appointed by the Company and not so licensed may not promote the Company in Guernsey to private investors and may only distribute and circulate any document relating to Shares in Guernsey to persons regulated as licensees under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 as amended, the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 or the Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Business and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, and provided that the provisions of Section 29(1)(cc) of the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (as amended) are satisfied. Promotion of the Shares may not be made in any other way. The Guernsey Prospectus Rules 2008 do not apply to the offer of the Shares.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF JERSEY

The Prospectus may be circulated in Jersey only by persons who are registered by the Jersey Financial Services Commission in accordance with the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998, as amended, for the conduct of financial services business, or are exempt from such registration in accordance with the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998, as amended. In addition, the Prospectus may be circulated in Jersey only to persons similar to those to whom, and in a manner similar to that in which, it is for the time being circulated in the United Kingdom. Consent for the circulation of the Prospectus in accordance with article 8 of the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958, as amended, has not been sought from or given by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Registration Document contains forward looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or similar expressions. Such forward looking statements involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Group, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements speak only as at the date of this Registration Document. Subject to its legal and regulatory obligations (including under the Prospectus Rules), the Company expressly disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required to do so by law or any appropriate regulatory authority, including FSMA, the Prospectus Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules.

Nothing in this Registration Document qualifies or should be deemed to qualify the working capital statement given in the Summary or the Securities Note (or any Future Summary or Future Securities Note).

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company prepares its financial information under IFRS and EPRA's best practice recommendations. The financial information contained or incorporated by reference in this Registration Document, including that financial information presented in a number of tables in this Registration Document, has been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal place. Therefore, the actual arithmetic total of the numbers in a column or row in a certain table may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column or row. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in this Registration Document reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding, and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers.

FURTHER SHARE ISSUES

This Registration Document assumes that no further Shares will be issued after the date of this Registration Document and before the completion of the Initial Issue. This Registration Document is valid for a period of up to 12 months following its publication. The Company may issue up to 165 million Shares at any time within a period of up to 12 months from the date of this Registration Document in connection with the Share Issuance Programme (including the Initial Issue). The prospectus for any issuance of additional Shares may, for a period of up to 12 months from the date of the publication of this Registration Document, consist of this Registration Document which will not be updated and a Future Summary and Future Securities Note which will be applicable to each issue and subject to separate approval by the FCA on each issue. Persons receiving this Registration Document should read the Prospectus (or any future prospectus) together as a whole and should be aware that any update in respect of a Future Summary and Future Securities Note may constitute a material change for the purposes of the Prospectus Rules.

NO INCORPORATION OF WEBSITE INFORMATION

The Company's website address is www.empiric.co.uk. The contents of the Company's website do not form part of the Prospectus.

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

Directors Brenda Dean (The Rt Hon Baroness Dean
Thornton-le-Fylde) (Chairman)
Paul Hadaway (Chief Executive Officer)
Timothy Attlee (Chief Investment Officer)
Michael Enright (Chief Finance Officer)
Stephen Alston (Non-Executive Director)
Jim Prower (Non-Executive Director)
Stuart Beevor (Non-Executive Director)
all of the registered office below:
Registered Office 6-8 James Street
London
W1U 1ED
Tel: +44(0)20 3772 2780
Website: www.empiric.co.uk
Joint Financial Advisers Akur Limited
66 St James's Street
London
SW1A 1NE
Jefferies International Limited
Vintners Place
68 Upper Thames Street
London
EC4V 3BJ
Sponsor, Sole Global
Coordinator and Bookrunner
Jefferies International Limited
Vintners Place
68 Upper Thames Street
London
EC4V 3BJ
Legal Adviser to the Company Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
4 More London Riverside
London
SE1 2AU
Legal Adviser to the Sponsor,
Joint Financial Advisers and
Sole Global Coordinator and
Bookrunner
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
3 More London Riverside
London
SE1 2AQ
Administrator and Company
Secretary
FIM Capital Limited
7 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PE
Depositary Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited
41-43 Maddox Street
London
W1S 2PD
Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 6ZZ
Receiving Agent Computershare Investor Services PLC
Corporate Actions Projects
Bristol
BS99 6AH
Auditor and Reporting
Accountant
BDO LLP
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU
Valuer CBRE Limited
Henrietta House
Henrietta Place
London
W1G 0NB

PART 1

INFORMATION ON THE GROUP

INTRODUCTION

The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in England and Wales and carries on business as a REIT, investing in premium student residential accommodation sector. The Shares are admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.

Pursuant to its initial public offering in June 2014 and the First Share Issuance Programme, which closed in October 2015, the Company has raised gross equity funds of, in aggregate, £397 million since June 2014. In addition, as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document), the Group has approximately £103.25 million of drawn down debt financing (excluding the Group's share of joint venture debt) which together with its equity funds has been invested in, or committed to, the Property Portfolio.

The Property Portfolio at the date of this Registration Document comprises: 39 operating student accommodation properties; and 19 student accommodation properties in development consisting of a mix of forward funded, forward commitment and development projects located in 26 prime student cities and towns across the UK.

The properties consist of premium quality, purpose built or purpose renovated direct let student accommodation with high specification layouts and communal facilities. Summary details of the Property Portfolio are set out below in this Part 1 and in Part 2 of this Registration Document.

The Company is an internally managed investment company and is authorised and regulated by the FCA as its own alternative investment fund manager. The Board as a whole is therefore responsible for the determination of the Company's investment objective and investment policy and has overall responsibility for the Company's activities. The Executive Directors undertake the management of the Company's investment activities on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Directors are experienced real estate professionals with a recognised track record in the development and management of premium student residential accommodation. In addition to this sector specific real estate expertise, the Board as a whole combines individuals with extensive experience of acting as directors of premium listed companies and other real estate expertise, including in the student accommodation sector.

The Company has an experienced internal management team consisting of 20 full-time employees (including the Executive Directors) who are responsible for managing the operations of the Group's operating properties, overseeing the management and delivery of the Group's development projects and the provision of the Group's internal finance function.

As at 31 December 2015, the unaudited Net Asset Value per Share was 105.4 pence, prior to adjustment for the interim dividend declared on 1 March 2016 of 1.5 pence per Share. This compares to the audited Net Asset Value per Share as at 30 June 2015 of 103.2 pence. Since its initial public offering the Company has paid or declared cumulative dividends amounting to 7.0 pence per Share.

As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document), the Company had a market capitalisation of approximately £426 million.

It is anticipated the Company will become eligible for inclusion in the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT indices following the annual index review in March 2016.

BACKGROUND TO, AND REASONS FOR, THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME

The Directors believe that, since the Company's initial public offering in June 2014, the Group has made excellent progress in successfully implementing its investment strategy by acquiring a diverse portfolio of high quality student accommodation properties (both operational and in development) in centrally situated locations in prime student cities and towns across the UK. These assets have been acquired at attractive net initial yields which the Board expects to generate good returns for the Group.

The Directors believe that the underlying fundamentals of the Group's market in premium student accommodation are solid: increasing demand coupled with a supply shortage. Notwithstanding the introduction of tuition fees, the number of students studying in the UK has continued on a growth trend. In particular, following the removal of the cap on student numbers in 2015/2016, the number of international students is expected to grow significantly, and it is international students, together with post-graduates, which comprise the Group's target market.

The Company's stated objective continues to be to grow the Property Portfolio to a target size of 10,000 beds. As at 31 December 2015, the Group had acquired or exchanged contracts on, in aggregate, 5,686 beds in operation or under development.

The Company has identified a strong pipeline comprising a mix of operating properties and properties under development across multiple locations in the UK representing in aggregate over 4,000 beds.

The Company is therefore launching the Share Issuance Programme to raise further equity funds which, when combined with available and proposed future debt, will allow the Group to acquire further student accommodation assets in order to achieve its stated objective.

THE PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

As at the date of this Registration Document, the Property Portfolio consists of the following investments comprising a mix of operating properties and development projects. Further details of the Property Portfolio are set out in Part 2 of this Registration Document.

Operating Properties (all freehold unless otherwise stated)

Market value
as at
31 December
No. of Date of 2015
Name Location Beds acquisition (£m)
College Green(1) Bristol 84 July 2014 11.4
Picturehouse Apartments Exeter 102 July 2014 13.1
Summit House Cardiff 87 July 2014 10.7
The Brook Selly Oak, Birmingham 106 July 2014 12.9
Brunswick House Southampton 173 July 2014 10.1(5)
Edge Apartments Selly Oak, Birmingham 77 August 2014 10.8
Centro Court Aberdeen 56 September 2014 7.5
Talbot Studios Nottingham 98 September 2014 9.9
Alwyn Court Cardiff 51 October 2014 3.9
London Road(2) Southampton 46 November 2014 4.4
Kingsmill Studios Huddersfield 98 November 2014 9.2
Curzon Point(3) Hatfield 116 December 2014 10.4
Dean Clarke Lofts(4) Exeter 30 December 2014 4.7
Algernon Firth Leeds 111 January 2015 8.6
Northgate House Cardiff 67 February 2015 6.5
Market value
as at
No. of Date of 31 December
2015
Name Location Beds acquisition (£m)
Halsmere Studios London 79 February 2015 16.2
Ballet School Glasgow 103 March 2015 11.7
St Mark's Court Leeds 85 March 2015 7.2
St Margaret's Flats Durham 109 May 2015 5.6
CityBlock 1 Lancaster 30 May 2015 2.0
CityBlock 2 Lancaster 77 May 2015 6.1
CityBlock 3 Lancaster 100 May 2015 8.4
CityBlock 1 Leicester 98 May 2015 6.3
CityBlock 2 Leicester 76 May 2015 5.2
Library Lofts Exeter 61 May 2015 7.7
Art School Lofts Liverpool 64 June 2015 8.1
Maple House Liverpool 147 June 2015 12.6
Chatham Lodge Liverpool 50 June 2015 4.2
Hayward House Liverpool 74 June 2015 5.5
The Octagon Liverpool 19 June 2015 2.0
Grove Street Studios Liverpool 28 June 2015 2.6
Caledonia Mill Stoke-on-Trent 120 June 2015 5.9
Maritime House Falmouth 137 August 2015 11.0
The Registry Portsmouth 41 August 2015 4.6
333 Bath Street(6) Glasgow 70 September 2015 8.1
Canal Bridge Bath 20 November 2015 1.8
Widcombe Wharf Bath 40 November 2015 4.5
Piccadilly Place Bath 47 November 2015 4.3
Ayton House St Andrews 241 December 2015 25.1
Total ———
3,218
—————
310.7
(1)
150 year lease, from August 2010.
——— —————

(1)

(2) Freehold/leasehold.

(3) 199 year lease, from December 2014.

(4) 999 year lease, from March 2014.

(5) The figure represents the value of the Group's 50 per cent. joint venture interest in the property.

(6) 125 year lease, from 15 October 1984.

The portfolio of operating properties is Fully Let for the 2015/2016 academic year (meaning an occupancy and/or income level of the operating portfolio of 97.5 per cent. or more). The gross annualised rent for the operating properties as at 31 December 2015 was £25.1 million, of which £1.1 million (representing 4.5 per cent. of the gross annualised rent) was attributable to commercial revenue. Rental growth in the operating properties is an average of approximately 3.25 per cent., comparing 2015/2016 with 2014/2015.

Students pay for their accommodation termly in advance if they are UK residents or have a UK guarantor. If they are overseas students, without a UK guarantor, then students pay for their entire year in advance. The majority of the tenancies are for 51 weeks, although student accommodation in Edinburgh often has 44 week tenancies with extra income derived from lettings during the festival period.

Prices for rooms in student property developments are typically determined towards the end of a calendar year, with bookings taken at those prices throughout the months preceding the start of the academic year in September.

The average net initial yield of the operating properties as at 31 December 2015 was 5.8 per cent. compared to an average acquisition net initial yield of 6.4 per cent. representing average yield compression in the operating properties of approximately 60 basis points.

Assets under development

Market
Total Estimated value as at
Proposed No. Date of investment to completion 31 December
Location of Beds acquisition completion date 2015(1)
Name (£ million) (£)
Forward Commitments
Claremont Place
Newcastle 88 May 2015 11.0(2) August 2016 –(6)
1-3 James Street West Bath 78 August 2015 7.7(2) September
2016
–(6)
James House Bath 169 August 2015 25.0(2) September
2016
–(6)
Metrovick House Newcastle 63 September
2015
7.4(2) July 2016 –(6)
Windsor House Cardiff 314 November
2015
40.0(2) August 2016 –(6)
Forward funded projects
Buccleuch Street Edinburgh 86 July 2014 8.8(9) June 2016 8.9
95 Talbot Street Nottingham 77 February 2015 6.0(9) September
2016
2.7(3)
Spital Court Studios
(St Peter's Street)
Aberdeen 123 March 2015 13.5(9) August 2016 9.3
William &
Matthew House Bristol 75 April 2015 8.0(9) August 2016 3.3
Welsh Baptist Chapel Manchester 93 May 2015 7.9(9) August 2017 1.0
Oldgate House Huddersfield 179 May 2015 10.9(9) August 2016 4.7
Portobello House Sheffield 134 August 2015 11.0(9) June 2016 4.2
The Frontage Nottingham 162 August 2015 18.8(9) September
2016
9.5
Bonhay Road Exeter 139 September
2015
12.2(9) October 2017 2.0
155 George Street Glasgow 89 November
2015
9.6(9) July 2017 –(6)
Provincial House Sheffield 107 December
2015
11.0(9) July 2017 –(6)
Development projects
Willowbank Glasgow 178 December
2014
7.1(4) July 2017 5.4(5)
Framwellgate Durham 110 June 2015 1.2(7) June 2017 –(8)
Forthside Stirling 204 August 2015 0.7(7) September
2017
–(8)

(1) Market value for these properties is based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015 as taken from the Valuation Report.

(2) Purchase price to be paid on completion of the acquisition.

(3) The Group acquired the land at 95 Talbot Street, Nottingham on 20 February 2015. The details of a proposed forward funded development for the site are under negotiation. Revised planning permission has been received increasing the number of beds from 65 to 77.

(4) The figure represents internal management calculations of the total development costs to completion for the project to be paid by the Group as at 31 December 2015 and excludes Revcap's contribution.

(5) The figure represents the value of the Group's 50 per cent. joint venture interest in the property.

(6) The Group has exchanged conditional contracts on each of these properties, completion of which is subject to a number of conditions. As at the date of this Registration Document, the Group therefore holds no property interest in relation to such projects and consequently they have not been valued for the purposes of the Valuation Report.

(7) This represents the proposed purchase price of the land on acquisition only.

(8) The Group has exchanged conditional contracts on each of these development sites, subject to planning consent being obtained and other conditions being satisfied. As at the date of this Registration Document, the Group therefore holds no property interest in relation to such projects and consequently they have not been valued for the purposes of the Valuation Report.

(9) The figures represent internal management calculations of the total development costs to completion for each project as at 31 December 2015.

OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES/LETTINGS MANAGEMENT

The Group is responsible for the facilities and lettings management of all properties in the Property Portfolio. The Group has developed and launched its own internal operations and lettings management platform under the "Hello Student®" brand. In addition, to facilitate its administrative and resource requirements, the Group also engages professional external facilities and lettings managers.

Hello Student® Management

The Group has recently launched its new operational platform and consumer brand Hello Student® at www.hellostudent.co.uk. The Company is working in partnership with CRM Student Ltd to deliver the Hello Student® marketing, booking, billing and accounting platform which will be managed by a dedicated internal team. The Company is directly employing local accommodation managers for its buildings and will appoint a team of regional managers based across the UK who will form the national management and concierge team under the Hello Student® platform. Incentive Facilities Management Group Ltd will provide facilities management and maintenance services nationwide across the Group's portfolio, working in partnership with the Group to provide a single central resource for the Hello Student® operational platform and its managers.

Initially, Hello Student® is directly managing six of the Group operating student accommodation assets and is marketing these and seven of the Group assets currently under development that will become operational for the 2016/17 academic year. By the start of the 2018/19 academic year, it is expected that all of the Group's current Property Portfolio will be marketed and managed under the Hello Student® platform.

External facilities and lettings managers

In addition to its in-house operations platform, the Group also utilises the services of a number of external facilities and lettings managers. This includes larger national players, such as Collegiate Accommodation Consulting Limited and Corporate Residential Management Ltd, together with specialist local operators where appropriate. In addition, the Group has engaged Bilfinger GVA as managing agent in relation to the majority of the commercial units forming part of its properties. The Company anticipates that further external facilities and lettings managers may be engaged in relation to future properties acquired by the Group but the medium to long-term plan is to reduce such number.

Under these arrangements, the facilities and lettings managers engaged by the Group will generally undertake property and facilities management services in relation to the relevant student units including collaborating with the Group in relation to the marketing and letting of the units in each property, rent collection and credit control services, payment of agreed capital expenditure, preparation of operating budgets for approval, overseeing building maintenance, maintenance of tenancy records, acting as tenant liaison and production of agreed management reports and performance measures for the properties.

External marketing and operations managers are paid a fee based on a proportion of rent collected. Depending on the manager and the building, this varies between 4-6 per cent. This fee along with other external costs such as utilities, health and safety, maintenance and repairs amounts to approximately 25 per cent. of the gross annual rental income.

FORWARD FUNDED AND DEVELOPMENT ASSETS

Introduction

The Group is predominantly focused on investing in built and operating properties or those properties close to practical completion (i.e. within 12 months of operation). However, up to 15 per cent. of the Net Asset Value of the Company (measured at the commencement of the project) may be committed to development and forward funded projects.

Such forward funded and development projects are expected to enable the Group to benefit from capital appreciation of its investment in development assets, which typically see significant uplifts in market value as the projects progress.

As at 31 December 2015, the aggregate value of the development and forward funded assets (based on the Valuation Report) represented 14.1 per cent. of the aggregate value of the Property Portfolio.

Forward funded projects

In relation to a forward funded project, the Group will acquire the site directly (conditional on receiving planning permission), and fund the development of the project in stages, with the actual development work undertaken by a third party developer which will have identified the site prior to the Group's involvement, arranged all the planning applications and organised and managed the various building contractors. The required development financing will be paid pursuant to an agreed schedule during the development phase of the project, usually with a bullet balancing payment to the developer paid at completion when the Group takes possession of the completed asset for no further consideration. In the development phase, forward funded projects typically generate a coupon (or interest payment) for the funder of approximately 7 per cent. per annum, which is calculated by reference to the staged payments made to the third party developer, and is paid by the third party developer in cash or, alternatively, this liability is rolled up into the overall contract price. Under a forward funded arrangement, the risk of cost overruns rests with the third party developer.

Development projects

Generally any potential development site would only be acquired subject to the receipt of planning permission. Although incidental expenditure may be incurred initially prior to acquisition (for example in relation to the preparation of architectural plans and proposed specifications), the site is only acquired on the granting of planning permission, which in turn mitigates the risk to the Group of the planning process.

Once the site has the benefit of planning permission and is acquired by the Group, the full design and project management process is put in place, including the financing package. The Company will then supervise the entire development and construction process. Risks to the Group are intended to be mitigated by appointing contractors of sufficient financial strength on a fixed contract, by fitting out developments with a standard kit of parts (an approach developed by the Executive Directors over several years across a number of separate developments), and by spreading development exposure across several different projects. Development risk is intended to be further mitigated by agreeing an appropriate payment schedule, whereby the contractor only receives the minimum funding to meet the next development milestone. Further, the contractor will only receive its profit after completion of the project and following relevant surveys. A development project will typically take 12-24 months to complete, from identification of the site to practical completion.

The Company has entered into the Revcap Development Framework Agreement which sets out a framework under which the Company and Revcap will cooperate through a joint venture to identify, acquire (subject to planning), secure planning and develop suitable properties and sites that can be developed or converted into prime student residential accommodation. In connection with each joint venture development with Revcap, Empiric Developments will be responsible for the day-to-day project management and will receive an asset management fee. Empiric Developments will also receive an incentive profit share from each joint venture development based on the IRR achieved. The Company will have a right to procure repayment by a joint venture company of the Revcap shareholder loan and to purchase Revcap's interest in each joint venture company. The current properties which have benefited from this joint venture arrangement are Brunswick House, Southampton (now operational) and Willowbank, Glasgow (scheduled to be completed in July 2017). Further details of the Revcap Development Framework Agreement are set out in paragraph 9.14 of Part 8 of this Registration Document.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Company is to provide Shareholders with regular, sustainable and growing long-term dividends (which it will seek to grow at least in line with the RPI inflation index) together with the potential for capital appreciation over the medium to long term.

INVESTMENT POLICY

The Company intends to meet its investment objective through acquiring, owning, leasing and developing high quality student residential accommodation in the UK let on direct tenancy agreements to tenants enrolled with Higher Education Institutions ("HEIs"). The Company will invest in modern, high-end, student accommodation assets with a focus on quality, and generally located in prime city centre locations in top university cities and towns. The Company is focused on investing in, and developing, high quality self-contained residential accommodation in locations where the Executive Directors believe attractive opportunities exist for the Company to exploit demand for student residential accommodation at the higher end of the quality scale. To deliver the high quality and high-end experience, the individual sizes of the assets are generally expected to be between 50 to 200 beds. In addition, each property will generally have:

  • studios and 1 3 bedroom apartments;
  • generous space per student bed;
  • all rooms with en-suite bathroom and kitchen facilities; and
  • communal facilities to typically include: a cinema room, study rooms, a gym and break-out areas.

The Company anticipates that rental income will predominantly be generated from direct leases and/or licences to students (with the rent being inclusive of wifi/internet, all utilities, and access to on-site amenities). The Company also anticipates benefiting in some cases from ancillary commercial lease opportunities within student accommodation properties, including (but not limited to) retail outlets and mobile telephone transmission apparatus. The Company may in due course derive rental income from agreements with students that are guaranteed by HEIs or directly with HEIs. The Company may enter into soft nominations agreements (being marketing arrangements with HEIs to place their students in private accommodation). The Company will target upper quartile rental values, primarily servicing postgraduate and international students.

The Group may acquire assets through acquisitions of the underlying property or through the acquisition of the subsidiary companies or other investment vehicles through which such properties are owned. The Company may opportunistically acquire portfolios of student accommodation properties. Following such a transaction, individual properties within such a portfolio, which do not meet the Group's required standards or which cannot be cost effectively refurbished, may be sold.

The Company also intends to undertake limited development of new buildings or conversion of existing properties for student accommodation and related services pursuant to the terms of the joint venture arrangement between the Company and Revcap, with other development partners or solely, without a third party partner. Save for such development assets that may be held by the Group in 50/50 joint venture companies during the development phase of such projects, the Group intends to have sole ownership of all investments.

The Company will also focus on the acquisition of properties where the student accommodation units benefit from "Multiple Dwelling Relief", reducing SDLT on the value of such student accommodation units from 4 per cent. to 1 per cent.

The Board intends to hold the Group's investments on a long term basis. The Group, however, may dispose of investments outside of this time frame, should an appropriate opportunity arise where, in the Board's opinion, the value that could be realised from such a disposal would represent a satisfactory return on the initial investment and/or otherwise enhance the value of the Group, taken as a whole. There is no limit on the number of investments which the Group may dispose of from the portfolio (subject always to maintaining compliance with the investment restrictions that form part of the investment policy).

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Company will invest and manage its assets with the objective of spreading risk through the following investment restrictions:

  • the Company will generate its rental income from a portfolio of not less than five separate buildings (such minimum to exclude development projects, and to count two or more buildings in close proximity or on the same campus as a single building);
  • the value of no single asset at the time of investment will represent more than 20 per cent. of the Gross Asset Value;
  • at least 90 per cent. by value of the properties directly or indirectly owned by the Company shall be in the form of freehold or long leasehold properties (with over 100 years remaining at the time of acquisition) or the equivalent;
  • the Company may commit up to a maximum of 15 per cent. of its Net Asset Value (measured at the commencement of the project) to expenditure in relation to development or forward funded projects (including conversion of buildings to student accommodation). All development and forward funded projects will be conducted in special purpose vehicles with no recourse to the other assets of the Group. This restriction will be calculated by reference to the equity requirement of all such projects in progress (i.e. up to practical completion) at the time of commitment, to include expenditure already made in such projects and the remaining budgeted expenditure (the "Development Limit"). For the purposes of the Development Limit, "equity requirement" shall mean the amount of equity or shareholder loans contributed and/or committed by the Company or any other Group entity to the relevant special purpose vehicle and shall exclude other sources of funds obtained by such special purpose vehicle;
  • the calculation of the Development Limit shall exclude from the numerator the acquisition cost of the relevant undeveloped land or property in use, or to be used, for development or forward funded projects, which shall be subject to a separate limit of 10 per cent. of Net Asset Value (measured at the time of investment);
  • for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the Development Limit shall also exclude from the numerator all investment and expenditure on the renovation, restoration, fit-out, internal reconfiguration, maintenance and engineering works and general up-keep of any existing and new student accommodation investments by the Group;
  • rent from ancillary commercial leases will be limited to 25 per cent. of total rent receipts of any single building and to 15 per cent. of the Group's total rent receipts;
  • in each case where investment is via a joint venture arrangement, the relevant restriction will be calculated by reference to the Company's share of the relevant joint venture; and

• the Company will not invest in other closed-ended investment companies.

The Company will also seek to spread risk by seeking to achieve a diversified exposure to individual cities, towns and HEIs, though no quantitative limits are in place, due to the widely various demographics prevailing in different locations.

The Company will at all times invest and manage its assets in a way that is consistent with its objective of spreading investment risk and in accordance with its published investment policy and will not, at any time, conduct any trading activity which is significant in the context of the business of the Company as a whole.

The Directors currently intend, at all times, to conduct the affairs of the Group so as to enable it to qualify as a REIT for the purposes of Part 12 of the CTA 2010 (and the regulations made thereunder).

In the event of a breach of the investment policy and investment restrictions set out above, the Directors, upon becoming aware of such breach, will consider whether the breach is material, and if it is, notification will be made through a Regulatory Information Service.

BORROWING POLICY

The Board expects to use Company level structural leverage for investment purposes to enhance equity returns. The Group currently has committed and drawn down debt facilities with lenders such as RBS, Canada Life and Santander. Details of the key terms of these facilities are summarised in the material contracts section in Part 8 of this Registration Document.

The level of borrowing will be on a prudent basis for the asset class, and will seek to achieve a low cost of funds, whilst maintaining flexibility in the underlying security requirements. If gearing is employed, the Company will maintain a conservative level of aggregate borrowings typically of 35 per cent. but no more than 40 per cent. of the Gross Asset Value (calculated at the time of draw down) and will comply with the REIT condition relating to the ratio between the Company's 'property profits' and 'property finance costs' (in this regard, a tax charge will arise if, in respect of any accounting period, the ratio of the Group's income profits (before capital allowances) in respect of its Property Rental Business to the financing costs incurred in respect of the Property Rental Business is less than 1.25).

As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document), the Group has approximately £103.25 million of drawn debt financing (excluding the Group's share of joint venture debt) representing a loan to value ratio of 20.3 per cent.

Borrowings employed by the Group may either be secured on individual assets without recourse to the Company or by a charge over some or all of the Group's assets to take advantage of potentially preferential terms. Development loans, however, will only be secured at the individual asset level, without recourse to the Group's other assets or revenues.

Where the Group takes on floating rate loan facilities, the Group may engage in interest rate hedging in respect of borrowings, or otherwise seek to mitigate the risk of interest rate increases, for efficient portfolio management purposes only.

The borrowing limits set out above will be inclusive of the Group's pro-rata share of development loans incurred in relation to joint venture development projects. Intra-group debt between the Company and subsidiaries will not be included in the definition of borrowings for these purposes.

The restrictions in the investment policy and investment restrictions will apply on a look-through basis irrespective of how an investment is held. No material change will be made to the investment policy and investment restrictions without the prior approval of the FCA and the Shareholders by ordinary resolution.

Further details of the REIT conditions are set out at paragraph 2.2 of Part 7 of this Registration Document.

DIVIDEND POLICY AND TARGET RETURNS

The Company intends to pay dividends on a quarterly basis with dividends ordinarily declared in February, May, August and November in each year and paid within one month of being declared.

For the financial year ending 30 June 2015 the Company declared four interim dividends amounting, in aggregate, to 4 pence per Share. This achieved the objective set out at the time of the launch of the First Share Issuance Programme.

The Board declared a first interim dividend for the 2016 financial year of 1.5 pence per Share in respect of the first quarter ended 30 September 2015. The Company declared the second interim dividend of 1.5 pence per Share on 1 March 2016 in relation to the quarter ended 31 December 2015.

The Company has a target to achieve a dividend of 6 pence per Share for the financial year ending 30 June 2016, provided that the Company can continue to successfully implement its investment policy. Thereafter dividends are expected to grow by at least the rate of RPI inflation.

In order to comply with and maintain REIT status, the Group will be required to meet a minimum distribution test for each accounting period that it is a REIT. This minimum distribution test requires the Company to distribute 90 per cent. of the income profits of the Property Rental Business for each accounting period, as adjusted for tax purposes.

The Company will also target an annualised Shareholder return of 13 per cent. per annum (based on the IPO issue price) over the medium term following full investment of the net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme.

Investors should note that the figures in relation to dividends, total shareholder return and targeted annual growth in NAV set out above and elsewhere in this Registration Document are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be, and should not be taken as, a profit forecast or estimate. They have been calculated using the Principal Bases and Assumptions shown in paragraph 13 of Part 8 of this Registration Document. Actual returns cannot be predicted and may differ materially from these illustrative figures. There can be no assurance that they will be met or that any dividend or NAV growth will be achieved.

VALUATION POLICY

The Directors use CBRE as property valuer to the Company. Valuations of the Company's properties are conducted semi-annually at 30 June and 31 December in each year. The market value of the Group's properties will be determined by CBRE in accordance with the internationally accepted RICS Valuation – Professional Standard (2014). CBRE has produced the Valuation Report in relation to the Property Portfolio as at 31 December 2015 which is set out in Part 6 of this Registration Document.

Details of each semi-annual valuation, and of any suspension in the making of such valuations, will be announced by the Company within the context of its periodic financial reporting or otherwise via a Regulatory Information Service announcement as soon as practicable after the relevant valuation date.

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Net Asset Value (and Net Asset Value per Share) is calculated semi-annually by the Company (and reviewed by the Administrator). Calculations will be made in accordance with IFRS and EPRA's best practice recommendations. The Company intends to report its Net Asset Value according to EPRA guidelines. Details of each semi-annual valuation, and of any suspension in the making of such valuations, are announced by the Company via a Regulatory Information Service announcement, as part of its results announcement, as soon as practicable after the end of the relevant half-year. The semi-annual valuations of the Net Asset Value (and Net Asset Value per Share) are calculated on the basis of the most recent valuation of the Property Portfolio.

The calculation of the Net Asset Value will only be suspended in circumstances where the underlying data necessary to value the investments of the Company cannot readily, or without undue expenditure, be obtained or in other circumstances (such as a systems failure of the Company) which prevents the Company from making such calculations. Details of any suspension in making such calculations will be announced via a Regulatory Information Service announcement as soon as practicable after any such suspension occurs.

MEETINGS, REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS

The audited accounts of the Company are prepared in Sterling under IFRS and in accordance with EPRA's best practice recommendations. The Company's annual report and accounts are prepared up to 30 June each year. Copies of the report and accounts are sent to Shareholders by the end of October each year. Shareholders also receive an unaudited half-yearly report covering the six months to 31 December each year, which is dispatched within the following two months.

The Company has published its first annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2015. Interim financial statements have been produced in relation to the six month period to 31 December 2015. Such annual and interim accounts have been incorporated by reference into this Registration Document.

SHARE PREMIUM AND DISCOUNT MANAGEMENT

The Board has the discretion to seek to manage, on an on-going basis, the premium or discount at which the Shares may trade to their Net Asset Value through further issues and buy-backs, as appropriate. In addition, where the Group disposes of an investment, where the net disposal proceeds are not reinvested or committed within 12 months such proceeds will be distributed to Shareholders, subject to the Group's working capital requirements and the requirements of the Companies Act.

SHARE BUY-BACKS

The Directors will consider repurchasing Shares in the market if they believe it to be in Shareholders' interests as a whole and as a means of correcting any imbalance between supply of, and demand for, the Shares.

At the Company's annual general meeting on 4 November 2015, a special resolution was passed granting the Directors authority to repurchase up to 14.99 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital during the period expiring on the conclusion of the earlier of, (i) the Company's next annual general meeting to be held in 2016, and (ii) 4 February 2017. Renewal of this buy-back authority will be sought at each annual general meeting of the Company.

The Directors will have regard to the Group's REIT status when making any repurchase and will only make such repurchase through the market at prices (after allowing for costs) below the relevant prevailing Net Asset Value per Share and otherwise in accordance with guidelines established from time to time by the Board. Purchases of Shares may be made only in accordance with the Companies Act, the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules. Under the Listing Rules, the maximum price that may be paid by the Company on the repurchase of any Shares pursuant to a general authority is 105 per cent. of the average of the middle market quotations for the Shares for the five Business Days immediately preceding the date of purchase or, if higher, that stipulated by Article 5(1) of the Buy Back and Stabilisation Regulation (EC No 227312003). The minimum price will not be below the nominal value of one penny in respect of the Shares.

Shareholders should note that the purchase of Shares by the Company is at the absolute discretion of the Directors and is subject to the working capital requirements of the Company and the amount of cash available to the Company to fund such purchases. Accordingly, no expectation or reliance should be placed on the Directors exercising such discretion on any one or more occasions.

FURTHER ISSUES OF SHARES

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and to any relevant authority of the Company required by the Companies Act, the Board may allot, grant options over, offer or otherwise deal with or dispose of any new shares or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares or sell Shares out of treasury, at such times and generally on such terms and conditions as the Board may decide, provided that, for as long as any Shares are listed on the Official List, no new Shares may be issued at a price per Share which is less than the Net Asset Value per Share at the time of such issue unless authorised by an ordinary resolution of Shareholders or such new Shares are first offered on a pro rata basis to Shareholders. The Company will endeavour to give priority to applications from existing Shareholders who subscribe for new Shares in a future placing or offer (if any).

Investors should note that the issuance of new Shares is entirely at the discretion of the Board, and no expectation or reliance should be placed on such discretion being exercised on any one or more occasions or as to the proportion of new Shares that may be issued.

TREASURY SHARES

Any Shares repurchased pursuant to the general authority referred to above may be held in treasury. The Companies Act allows companies to hold shares acquired by way of market purchase as treasury shares, rather than having to cancel them. These shares may be subsequently cancelled or sold for cash. This would give the Company the ability to reissue Shares quickly and cost efficiently, thereby improving liquidity and providing the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base.

The Board currently intends only to authorise the sale of Shares from treasury at prices at or above the prevailing Net Asset Value per Share (plus costs of the relevant sale). This should result in a positive overall effect for Shareholders if Shares are bought back at a discount and then sold at a price at or above the Net Asset Value per Share (plus costs of the relevant sale).

CONTINUATION VOTE

The Company has been established with an indefinite life. At the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2017, under the requirements of the Articles, the Board will propose an ordinary resolution that the Company continue its business as presently constituted. If this resolution is not passed, the Board will formulate proposals to be put to Shareholders to reorganise, restructure or wind-up the Company and to present such proposals to Shareholders within 60 days of the date of the annual general meeting at which the continuation resolution was proposed.

REIT STATUS AND TAXATION

The Company, as the principal company of the Group, has given notice to HMRC (in accordance with Section 523 CTA 2010) that the Group has become a REIT with effect from 1 July 2014. As a REIT, it complies with certain on-going regulations and conditions (including minimum distribution requirements). Potential investors are referred to Part 7 of this Registration Document for details of the REIT regime and the taxation of the Group in the UK.

REGULATORY STATUS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHARES

The Company, as its own AIFM, has a full-scope Part 4A permission under the AIFM Regulations and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (reference number 630634).

As a REIT, the Shares are "excluded securities" under the FCA's rules on non-mainstream pooled investments. Accordingly, the promotion of the Shares is not subject to the FCA's restriction on the promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments.

TYPICAL INVESTORS

An investment in the Shares is only suitable for institutional investors, professionally-advised private investors and highly knowledgeable investors who understand and are capable of evaluating the risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses (which may equal the whole amount invested) that may result from such an investment.

PART 2

THE PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

INTRODUCTION

As at the date of this Registration Document, the Property Portfolio comprises the following investments, being a mix of operating properties, forward commitment, forward funded and development projects.

The portfolio of operating properties is Fully Let for the 2015/2016 academic year (meaning an occupancy and/or income level of the operating portfolio of 97.5 per cent. or more).

The properties that will be available for letting for a particular academic year (whether they are operating or under development with an expected completion date prior to the start of the academic year) are marketed by the Company and/or its agents from the start of the relevant calendar year. The Company has recently launched a website, hellostudent.co.uk, which will be the principal marketing tool for the Company, listing all the available properties.

The figures contained in this Part 2 are unaudited.

Operating properties

College Green (Bristol)

Title Long leasehold (146 years unexpired)
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £11.4 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£144 to £203 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
85:15 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

In operation since the commencement of the 2011 academic year, College Green (Bristol) is an office conversion consisting of bespoke student accommodation, comprising 84 beds arranged in both individual studios and two bedroom apartment configurations. The property includes a gym, cinema room, games rooms and work rooms for the use of the student residents. The property also includes a retail outlet (a small Morrison's supermarket) on the ground floor which is let on a 15 year lease together with two other retail units. The property is in a prime location 10 minutes' walk from the University of Bristol campus, and walking distance to Cabot Circus and the mainline railway station.

Picturehouse Apartments (Exeter)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £13.1 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£109 to £210 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
95.5 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

In operation since the commencement of the 2013 academic year (and formally completed in April 2014), Picturehouse Apartments (Exeter) is a purpose-built student accommodation property, comprising 102 beds arranged in both individual studios and two bedroom apartment configurations. The property includes a gym, cinema room, games rooms and work rooms for the use of the student residents. The property also comprises a retail outlet (a small Tesco supermarket) on the ground floor let on a 20 year lease. The property is located only 10 minutes' walk from the University of Exeter and close to the city centre and mainline railway station.

Summit House (Cardiff)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £10.7 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£168 to £193 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
95:5 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

In operation since the commencement of the 2013 academic year, Summit House (Cardiff) was acquired in July 2014 and is an office conversion consisting of bespoke student accommodation, comprising 87 beds arranged in both individual studios and two bedroom apartment configurations. The property includes a gym, cinema room and work rooms for the use of the student residents. The property also benefits from rental income from an antennae lease of roof space and a separate coffee shop on the ground floor. The property is located only 5 minutes' walk from the Cardiff University campus and close to the city centre and mainline railway station.

The Brook (Birmingham)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £12.9 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£183 to £205 per bed per week

The Brook (Birmingham) was acquired by the Group in July 2014 from a subsidiary of The Mansion Group. The property comprises 106 beds arranged as individual studio apartments. The property includes secure parking and bike storage facilities, communal kitchen and laundry areas. The property, on Bristol Road, Selly Oak, is located within 5 minutes' walk from the University of Birmingham and is adjacent to the Group's Edge Apartments property. Both properties are managed together bringing cost savings from the joint operation.

Edge Apartments (Birmingham)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £10.8 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£145 to £210 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
90:10 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Edge Apartments (Birmingham) is a purpose-built student accommodation property, comprising 77 beds arranged in both individual studios and two bedroom apartment configurations. The property includes a gym, cinema room, games rooms and work rooms for the use of the student residents. The property also benefits from rental income from a Sainsbury's store (which is let on a 15 year lease) and a coffee shop on the ground floor. The property is in a prime location opposite the main University of Birmingham campus in Selly Oak.

Brunswick House (Southampton)

Title Freehold (50 per cent. interest held by the Group)
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £10.1 million (representing the Group's 50 per cent. interest)
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£148 to £200 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
97:3 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Brunswick House (Southampton) is currently owned on a 50/50 basis between the Company and a Revcap affiliated investment fund. The property comprises a redevelopment of a commercial office block into direct-let, premium student accommodation. The project was completed on a joint venture basis with Revcap under the terms of the Revcap Development Framework Agreement. The property was completed in September 2015 and has 173 beds arranged in both individual studios and one, two and three bedroom apartment configurations. The property includes a gym, cinema room, games room and work rooms for the use of the student residents. The property also benefits from rental income from two commercial tenants with another three retail units available to let. The property is located in central Southampton, close to Southampton Solent University and between the city centre and the University of Southampton.

Centro Court (Aberdeen)

Title Freehold (Scottish)
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £7.5 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£195 to £210 per bed per week

Centro Court (Aberdeen) was acquired by the Group in September 2014 and is a purpose-built student accommodation property comprising 56 self-contained studio apartments together with bike storage facilities, communal space and laundry areas. The property is located in the city centre, close to Aberdeen College, within walking distance of Aberdeen University and a 10 to 15 minute bus ride from the main campus of Robert Gordon University. The property is also within easy reach of local amenities and transport links.

Talbot Studios (Nottingham)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £9.9 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£135 to £165 per bed per week

Talbot Studios (Nottingham) was acquired by the Group in September 2014. The scheme, which opened in 2012, comprises 98 self-contained studio apartments together with bike storage facilities and communal laundry area. The property, on Talbot Street, Nottingham, is located close to Nottingham Trent University's main campus (which includes Nottingham Law School) and is a short bus ride to Nottingham University's main University Park and Jubilee campuses. The property is also within easy reach of local amenities and transport links.

Alwyn Court (Cardiff)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £3.9 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£114 to £150 per bed per week

The property, which was acquired by the Group in October 2014, opened in 2012, and comprises 51 beds arranged in both individual studios and apartment configurations with communal facilities. The property is located within a five minute walk of Cardiff University and close to the Group's Summit House property and the Northgate House property. The Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

London Road (Southampton)

Title Part freehold/Part leasehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.4 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£123 to £180 per bed per week

London Road (Southampton) was acquired by the Group in November 2014 and is a purpose-built student accommodation property. The property is located in central Southampton, close to Southampton Solent University and between the city centre and the University of Southampton. It comprises 46 beds arranged in predominantly self-contained studio apartments and a small number of two bed apartments. The property has bike storage facilities and a communal laundry area. The property is in close proximity to the Group's Brunswick House property and both schemes are paired, operationally, with students having access to the Brunswick House communal facilities which enables the Group to share operational costs.

Kingsmill Studios (Huddersfield)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £9.2 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£135 to £168 per bed per week

Kingsmill Studios (Huddersfield) was acquired in November 2014 and developed by the Group into purpose built student accommodation. This is a 98 bed scheme comprising self-contained studios and two-bed apartments. The property also has a gym and cinema as part of the complex. The property is in a prime location close to the University of Huddersfield.

Curzon Point (Hatfield)

Title Leasehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £10.4 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£124 to £170 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
98:2 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Curzon Point (Hatfield) was acquired by the Group in December 2014. The property is a bespoke student accommodation scheme, comprising 116 en-suite beds and studios with communal facilities. There is also a single retail unit let to Pizza Hut on the ground floor. The property is conveniently located within walking distance of both campuses at the University of Hertfordshire and close to the local amenities.

Dean Clarke Lofts (Exeter)

Title Leasehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.7 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£219 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
86:14 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Dean Clarke Lofts (Exeter) was acquired by the Group in December 2014 and was converted from a Grade II listed Georgian building to provide 30 loft-style studios featuring mezzanine bedrooms. The property has a single retail unit which is currently let to Cosy Club (Loungers) on the lower ground floor. The property is located close to the Group's Picturehouse Apartments and Library Lofts properties and the Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Algernon Firth (Leeds)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £8.6 million
Weeks let per year 43
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£98 to £185 per bed per week

Algernon Firth (Leeds) was acquired by the Group in January 2015 and is a high-quality student accommodation conversion of a Grade II listed building. The property has 111 beds consisting of a mixture of studio flats, duplex flats and en-suite apartments. The property also has communal areas, a gym and a dedicated study area. The property is well located in Leeds city centre adjacent to the teaching hospital. The property is located close to the Group's St. Marks Court property and the Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Northgate House (Cardiff)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £6.5 million
Weeks let per year 52
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£130 to £165 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
98:2 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

The Group acquired Northgate House in October 2014. The property is a newly developed purpose built student accommodation property on The Kingsway in Cardiff. The property comprises 67 beds arranged in both individual studios and apartment configurations with communal facilities and two retail units on the ground floor. The property is situated in a prime central Cardiff location within an easy walk of Cardiff University and close to the Group's Summit House property and the Alwyn Court property. The Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Halsmere Studios (London)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £16.2 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£249 to £329 per bed per week

In operation since 2007, Halsmere Studios (London) was acquired by the Group in February 2015. The property is a high-quality student accommodation conversion and comprises 79 self-contained studios of varying sizes, a student common room and entertainment facilities. The property is centrally located serving multiple universities and close to excellent transport links including the Northern Line. Due to its well placed location the property has the potential to let to non-students which provides the Group with operational flexibility.

Ballet School (Glasgow)

Title Freehold (Scottish)
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £11.7 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£165 to £250 per bed per week

The Ballet School (Glasgow) was developed in 2013 and acquired by the Group as an operational student accommodation scheme in March 2015. The development comprises partly the conversion of a B listed building (the former home of the Scottish Ballet) and partly a new build. In all, the property comprises 103 self-contained studios. The property is located immediately adjacent to Willowbank School which is also under development by the Group.

St. Mark's Court (Leeds)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £7.2 million
Weeks let per year 50
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£133 to £156 per bed per week

St. Mark's Court (Leeds) is a modern, purpose-built student accommodation scheme comprising 85 self-contained studios and was acquired by the Group in March 2015. The property is well located in Leeds city centre and close to the Group's Algernon Firth property. The Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

St Margaret's Flats (Durham)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £5.6 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£105 per bed per week

St Margaret's Flats (Durham) was acquired by the Group in May 2015 and is a purpose built student accommodation property comprising 109 beds. The property is located in the popular Crossgate area, a short distance from the city centre of Durham.

CityBlock 1 (Lancaster)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £2.0 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£110 to £114 per bed per week

CItyBlock 1 (Lancaster) was acquired by the Group alongside the other CityBlock properties in Lancaster in May 2015. The property comprises 30 en-suite bedrooms with shared communal living space and an open-plan kitchen on each floor. The property is situated in the city centre with good transport links to the Lancaster University campus and within walking distance of the University of Cumbria.

CityBlock 2 (Lancaster)

commercial rental income

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £6.1 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£110 to £141 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to 95:5 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

CityBlock 2 (Lancaster) was acquired by the Group alongside the other CityBlock properties in Lancaster in May 2015. The property comprises 77 beds made up of en-suite bedrooms and studios with the use of a shared communal living space and an open-plan kitchen on each floor. In addition the property provides two retail units, both of them let. The property is situated in the city centre with good transport links to the Lancaster University campus and within walking distance of the University of Cumbria.

CityBlock 3 (Lancaster)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £8.4 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£115 to £200 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
94:6 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

CityBlock 3 (Lancaster) was acquired by the Group alongside the other CityBlock properties in Lancaster in May 2015. The property comprises 100 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms, studios and en-suite rooms in five townhouses. There is also a ground floor retail unit let to Sainsburys. The property is situated in the city centre with good transport links to the Lancaster University campus and within walking distance of the University of Cumbria.

CityBlock 1 and 2 (Leicester)

CityBlock 1 CityBlock 2
Title Freehold Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £6.3 million £5.2 million
Weeks let per year 51 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£100 to £150 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
95:5 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

CityBlock 1 and 2 (Leicester) were acquired by the Group in May 2015. CityBlock 1 provides a total of 98 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. The property also contains a ground floor retail unit. CityBlock 2 is physically linked to CityBlock 1 and provides a total of 76 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. It also has two ground floor retail units. The properties are conveniently located in Leicester.

Library Lofts (Exeter)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £7.7 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£150 to £210 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
88:12 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Library Lofts (Exeter) was acquired by the Group in May 2015 as a forward commitment investment and became fully operational in September 2015. The property comprises 61 beds and student communal space. The property also has a ground floor office let to a local tenant. The property is well located to the University of Exeter and within five minutes' walk of both Dean Clarke Lofts and Picturehouse Apartments and the Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Art School Lofts (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £8.1 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£127 to £200 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
88:12 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Art School Lofts (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property was converted in 2012 from a Grade II listed building and provides a total of 64 beds comprising studios and an apartment. The property also has a fully let commercial space occupied by The Art School Restaurant and ground floor offices which are currently unlet. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus and in addition is less than 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool John Moores University's Mount Pleasant campus.

Maple House (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £12.6 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£119 to £161 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
89:11 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Maple House (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property provides a total of 147 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. There are also three commercial units on the ground floor let to the Co-op supermarket, Greggs and Café Nero. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus and in addition is less than 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool John Moores University's Mount Pleasant campus.

Chatham Lodge (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.2 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£114 to £139 per bed per week
Ratio of student rental income to
commercial rental income
84:16 (projected for 2015/16 academic year)

Chatham Lodge (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property provides a total of 50 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. There is also a retail unit let to Tesco Stores Ltd on the ground floor. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus and in addition is less than 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool John Moores University's Mount Pleasant campus.

Hayward House (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £5.5 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£120 to £141 per bed per week

Hayward House (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property provides a total of 74 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus and in addition is less than 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool John Moores University's Mount Pleasant campus.

The Octagon (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £2.0 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£128 to £205 per bed per week

The Octagon (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property was converted in 2013 from a Grade II listed building and provides a total of 19 beds comprising studios and an apartment. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus and in addition is less than 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool John Moores University's Mount Pleasant campus.

Grove Street Studios (Liverpool)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £2.6 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£105 to £175 per bed per week

Grove Street Studios (Liverpool) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. The property was converted and refurbished in 2011 and provides a total of 28 beds comprising studios and apartments. The property benefits from planning consent for nine additional studios within the grounds of the scheme. The property is located close to the University of Liverpool's main city centre campus, about a 10 minute walk to the south of the other properties held by the Group.

Caledonia Mill (Stoke-on-Trent)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £5.9 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£90 to £120 per bed per week

Caledonia Mill (Stoke-on-Trent) was acquired by the Group in June 2015. Completed in 2011, this low-rise, multi storey property provides a total of 120 beds comprising en-suite bedrooms and studios. The property is located close to the University of Keele and Stoke-on-Trent College's Cauldon Campus as well as the main campus of Staffordshire University.

Maritime House (Falmouth)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £11.0 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£111 to £150 per bed per week

Maritime House (Falmouth) was acquired by the Group in August 2015 and comprises 146 self-contained apartments with communal facilities. The Group has acquired the freehold of all the studios however 14 of the studios were sold off prior to acquisition on long leases. The Group has now repurchased 5 of these beds resulting in 137 beds in total under the Group's control. The property is located within a few minutes' walk to the Falmouth University Woodlane campus and the Marine School and just a 10 minute walk from Falmouth town.

The Registry (Portsmouth)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.6 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£174 to £206 per bed per week

The Registry (Portsmouth) was acquired by the Group in August 2015 and comprises a student accommodation scheme converted from the former Land Registry building. The property comprises 41 self-contained studio apartments with communal facilities. The property is located in the heart of the Portsmouth University campus between the Student Union and the university's research institute. This well placed location means that it is also close to the harbour and associated transport links, bars and restaurants.

333 Bath Street (Glasgow)

Title Leasehold (Scottish)
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £8.1 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£173 to £198 per bed per week

333 Bath Street (Glasgow) was acquired by the Group in September 2015 and comprises 70 self-contained studios of varying sizes with communal facilities and amenity space. The property is well positioned to provide access to all three of Glasgow's main universities as well as the retail and entertainment centre.

Canal Bridge (Bath)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £1.8 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£109 to £145 per bed per week

Canal Bridge (Bath) was acquired as an operational, direct-let, premium student accommodation property in November 2015. The property was constructed in 2012 and comprises 20 beds in combinations of two, four and six bed flats. The property is located adjacent to Widcombe Wharf in a central location between Bath city centre and the University of Bath campus and is a 15 minute walk to both the University of Bath and Bath College.

Widcombe Wharf (Bath)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.5 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£111 per bed per week

Widcombe Wharf (Bath) was acquired as an operational, direct-let, premium student accommodation property in November 2015. The property was constructed in 2014 and comprises 40 en-suite beds across five eight-bed flats. The property also has a retail unit on a long lease. The property is located adjacent to Canal Bridge in a central location between Bath city centre and the University of Bath campus and is a 15 minute walk to both the University of Bath and Bath College.

Piccadilly Place (Bath)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £4.3 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£108 per bed per week

Piccadilly Place (Bath) was acquired as an operational, direct-let, premium student accommodation property in November 2015. The property was constructed in 2012 and comprises two separate buildings with 47 beds in combinations of three, four and five bed flats. The property is conveniently located a short walking distance from Bath College and a short bus ride to the University of Bath campus.

Ayton House (St Andrews)

Title Freehold
Valuation as at 31 December 2015 £25.1 million
Weeks let per year 51
Rent range for the 2015/16
academic year
£160 to £185 per bed per week

Ayton House (St Andrews) is a 241 bed, premium student accommodation property in St. Andrews, acquired by the Group in December 2015. The property was newly completed for the 2015/2016 academic year and comprises a mixture of studios and 4 and 5-bed en-suite apartments. The property is located in a prominent position in the centre of town within a 10 minute walk to the university.

Forward Commitments

Claremont Place (Newcastle)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 88
Acquisition price £11.0 million
Estimated completion date August 2016

The Group exchanged contracts to acquire Claremont Place (Newcastle) in May 2015 as a forward commitment investment with the project coming under the Group's operational control in August 2016. The property has been converted from a Grade II listed building and will comprise 88 selfcontained studios, some with access to garden space. The property is located immediately adjacent to the University of Newcastle.

1-3 James Street West (Bath)

Title Leasehold
Proposed number of beds 78
Acquisition price £7.7 million
Estimated completion date September 2016

The Group entered into an agreement to acquire 1-3 James Street West (Bath) in August 2015 which will be converted into 78 en-suite bedrooms in self-contained apartments with communal facilities. The site will also have a ground floor retail unit being retained by the freeholder, Bath & North East Somerset Council. The site is conveniently located in central Bath and equidistant between the University of Bath and Bath Spa University.

James House (Bath)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 169
Acquisition price £25 million
Estimated completion date September 2016

The proposed new build development at James House (Bath) will comprise 169 beds in a mix of multi-bed townhouses and self-contained studios with communal facilities. The site is conveniently located in central Bath and equidistant between the University of Bath and Bath Spa University. The Group will benefit from a rental guarantee for the first year of operation.

Metrovick House (Newcastle)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 63
Acquisition price £7.4 million
Estimated completion date July 2016

The Group entered into an agreement to acquire Metrovick House (Newcastle) in September 2015 which will be converted to student accommodation, with retail units to be arranged over the ground and basement floors. The property will comprise 63 self-contained studio apartments with communal facilities and will increase the Group's presence in Newcastle to 151 beds. The site is located in the city centre within walking distance from the City's two universities.

Windsor House (Cardiff)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 314
Acquisition price £40 million
Estimated completion date August 2016

Windsor House (Cardiff) is currently under construction and will comprise 314 beds across a mix of studios and two bed apartments with communal facilities. The site is located directly opposite the Group's existing Summit House property on Windsor Place, and is a ten minute walk from the University of Cardiff. The Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Forward funded projects

Buccleuch Street (Edinburgh)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 86
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£8.9 million
Total investment to completion £8.8 million
Estimated completion date June 2016

In July 2014 the Group acquired the freehold of the site, part of a listed former cinema building, located on Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh, from the developer. The project is in a sought after location next to the University of Edinburgh. The proposed scheme will provide a mixture of flats and self-contained studios as well as secure cycle storage, common room, cinema room, games room, gym and laundry room.

95 Talbot Street (Nottingham)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 77
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£2.7 million
Total investment to completion £6.0 million
Estimated completion date September 2016

The Group acquired the freehold of the site in February 2015 and intends to build a direct-let, purpose built student accommodation property comprising 77(2) beds with a mix of room types alongside student communal space to complement the Group's existing Talbot Studios property. The property will also have one retail unit to let.

  • (1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.
  • (2) The Group acquired the land at 95 Talbot Street, Nottingham on 20 February 2015. The details of a proposed forward funded development for the site are under negotiation. Revised planning permission has been received increasing the number of beds from 65 to 77.

Spital Court Studios (Aberdeen)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 123
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£9.3 million
Total investment to completion £13.5 million
Estimated completion date August 2016

Spital Court Studios is a new development of 123 studios for student accommodation including communal facilities such as a laundry, gym and cinema room along with a small car park. The property will be located very close to Aberdeen University's main campus and a short walk from the city centre and all of its amenities.

William & Matthew House (Bristol)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 75
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£3.3 million
Total investment to completion £8.0 million
Estimated completion date August 2016

William & Matthew House is currently being developed into a purpose built student accommodation property comprising 75 beds with a mix of room types and communal space. The property is well located within a five minute walk of the University of Bristol's main city campus and within a five minute walk of the Company's College Green property.

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.

Welsh Baptist Chapel (Manchester)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 93
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£1.0 million
Total investment to completion £7.9 million
Estimated completion date August 2017

Welsh Baptist Chapel (Manchester) is the former Grade II listed Welsh Baptist Chapel and will be converted into a purpose built student accommodation property comprising a 93 bed scheme with a mix of room types and student communal spaces. The property is located a short walk from both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University's main city campuses.

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015

Oldgate House (Huddersfield)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 179
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£4.7 million
Total investment to completion £10.9 million
Estimated completion date August 2016

This office conversion was acquired by the Group in May 2015 and will comprise 179 beds across a mix of studios together with communal spaces for students. The property is located within a five minute walk of the main campus of the University of Huddersfield and within a ten minute walk of Kingsmill Studios, another of the Group's properties which began operations in September 2015.

Portobello House (Sheffield)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 134
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£4.2 million
Total investment to completion £11.0 million
Estimated completion date June 2016

Portobello House (Sheffield) is a forward funded development comprising a 134 bed new-build student accommodation property with communal space. The site is conveniently located close to the University of Sheffield campus and within a ten minute walk to the city centre and Sheffield Hallam University.

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.

The Frontage (Nottingham)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 162
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£9.5 million
Total investment to completion £18.8 million
Estimated completion date September 2016

The Frontage (Nottingham) was acquired by the Group in August 2015 and is an office conversion behind a Grade II listed façade. The property will comprise 162 beds within self-contained single and double studios as well as three commercial units let to restaurant tenants. The property is located in the centre of Nottingham within walking distance of Nottingham Trent University and the city's retail and leisure attractions.

Bonhay Road (Exeter)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 139
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£2.0 million
Total investment to completion £12.2 million
Estimated completion date October 2017

The Group currently has permission to develop Bonhay Road (Exeter) into a 139 bed new-build premium student accommodation property. The Group is applying for a revised consent based on a new scheme of 140 bed spaces. The site is located a short distance from the University of Exeter, Exeter College and the city centre and opposite Exeter St David's train station. The property is also located close to the Group's other Exeter properties and the Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.

155 George Street (Glasgow)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 89
Total investment to completion £9.6 million
Estimated completion date July 2017

The Group has exchanged Contracts to acquire 155 George Street (Glasgow) which will be developed into 89 self-contained studios and one two bed apartments. The site is in close proximity to the University of Glasgow and directly opposite Strathclyde University's main John Anderson campus.

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.

Provincial House (Sheffield)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 107
Total investment to completion £11.0 million
Estimated completion date July 2017

The Group has exchanged Contracts to acquire Provincial House (Sheffield) which currently comprises the vacant and listed Provincial House office building. The development will involve the conversion and refurbishment of the entire property into 24 units together with the construction of three new blocks to provide a further 83 units. The site is located in central Sheffield immediately next to the University of Sheffield's North campus.

Development projects

Willowbank (Glasgow)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 178
Valuation as at 31 December
2015(1)
£5.4 million (representing the Group's 50 per cent. interest)
Total Company investment
(equity and share of joint venture
debt)
£7.1 million
Estimated completion date July 2017

(1) Value based on progress of the development of the asset to 31 December 2015.

In August 2014, LCPP acting on behalf of Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, a joint venture development company owned on a 50/50 basis between the Company and a Revcap affiliated investment fund, concluded missives (equivalent to exchange of contracts under English law) with Glasgow City Council (the "Council") in relation to the acquisition of the former Willowbank Primary School, on Willowbank Crescent, Glasgow ("Willowbank") for redevelopment into a direct-let premium student accommodation property.

Due to the original offer to acquire Willowbank having been submitted by LCPP (a company controlled by Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway), and approved by the Council's committee, prior to the establishment and IPO of the Company, the Council required missives to be concluded with LCPP rather than the Company (or a Group company). The property will therefore initially be acquired by LCPP (funded by, and acting on behalf of, Empiric (Glasgow) Limited) and then transferred to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited shortly following acquisition, with no benefit to LCPP. As a condition of concluding missives with LCPP, the Council also required the Company to enter into a guarantee in favour of the Council, pursuant to the terms of which the Company will guarantee the payment and development obligations of LCPP in relation to the Willowbank scheme, in all cases up to an aggregate maximum capped amount of £4 million.

Willowbank Crescent is a super-prime location in the West End of Glasgow situated between the city centre and the University of Glasgow. The project is estimated to be completed in July 2017 in time for the 2017/18 academic year. The property is located immediately adjacent to the Group's existing Ballet School property and the Group intends to derive cost savings through the joint management of these properties.

Framwellgate (Durham)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 110
Acquisition price £1.2 million
Estimated completion date June 2017

Framwellgate (Durham) is a 131 bed premium purpose-built student accommodation development. The acquisition of the site is subject to, inter alia, planning consent and is expected to complete by June 2016. The property will comprise groups of four to eighteen en-suite bedrooms together with self-contained studios arranged as townhouses with each having its own communal facilities. It is anticipated that construction work will commence in the second quarter of 2016 and will complement the Group's existing asset in Durham, St Margarets, which is already operational.

Forthside Way (Stirling)

Title Freehold
Proposed number of beds 204
Acquisition price £0.7 million
Estimated completion date September 2017

Forthside Way (Stirling) was acquired by the Group in August 2015 and is a premium student accommodation development comprising 204 beds in a mix of studios and apartments. The site is located a short bus ride away from the main campus of the University of Stirling.

Valuation of the Property Portfolio

The Property Portfolio has been independently valued by CBRE in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Professional Standards (2014). The Valuation Report is set out in Part 6 of this Registration Document and values the Property Portfolio in aggregate at £361,680,000 as at 31 December 2015. Of this, £310,655,000 was attributable to operating assets, an increase of 10.3 per cent. in value compared to the aggregate purchase price of approximately £281,090,000 (net of acquisition costs). The aggregate valuation attributable to the forward commitment, forward funded and development assets that had unconditionally exchanged was £51,025,000, which is based on the progress of the development of the assets to 31 December 2015.

The Valuation Report sets out a description of the investments comprising the Property Portfolio and highlights material points which have been taken into account in the valuations of such properties. The Company affirms that there have been no material changes in the valuation of the investments comprising the Property Portfolio since the date of the Valuation Report and the date of this Registration Document.

Tenant demographics of the operational properties

The pie charts below illustrate the diversification as between level of study and geographical origin of tenants at the Group's operational properties.

Customers by year of study as at 31 December 2015

Customers by nationality as at 31 December 2015

Source: the Company

PART 3

THE UK STUDENT ACCOMMODATION MARKET

A changing sector

The private student accommodation sector in the UK continues to undergo a fundamental evolution. Traditionally, students in the UK have been housed in university halls of residence, particularly during their first undergraduate year. These traditional halls typically provide an institutional living experience with a certain level of pastoral care. Second and third year students have generally migrated to the private open market where they are confronted with the multiple challenges of setting up utilities and broadband access and establishing a group with which to share costs and live together, a set-up known as a House in Multiple Occupation ("HMO").

The modern generation of students is increasingly moving towards purpose-built (or converted) student accommodation. Private owned purpose-built accommodation is typically let directly to students ("Direct Let") rather than to the Higher Education Institution ("HEI"). Certain types of private purpose-built accommodation may also have an affiliation with a HEI, whereby the HEI may sanction or approve certain buildings or Direct Let options in its area. The Executive Directors have also seen cases in which a HEI has rented a purpose built accommodation block for a number of years to satisfy demand from increasing student numbers which the HEI is unable to accommodate in their currently owned accommodation. The purpose-built accommodation is typically relatively high density modern student accommodation, providing students with communal space and a conventional studio or flat. This option is typically a professional, institutional investor led and owned development, with a professional management team.

Direct Let removes many of the challenges of the HMO sector, providing almost the simplicity of hotel style accommodation. Typically this has resonated with international students less familiar with the UK, but increasingly second and third year students and postgraduates are also migrating toward the Direct Let option.

The private Direct Let allows landlords to benefit from growing rents, as they provide for annual rental reviews. This ability to respond to the market has led to increasing quality of provision and consistent rental growth. Each individual student generally signs a separate lease with the provider of accommodation and hence the property will typically have a very diverse customer base.

With the significant recent rise in tuition fees for UK students increasing to up to £9,000 a year, the rising student numbers, and the competitive employment market for graduates, it is the Directors' belief that students are increasingly seeking a high quality environment in which to live and maximise their productivity, without the stresses of the traditional HMO.

Taken as a whole, the purpose-built student accommodation sector has shown consistent growth in rents suggesting a considerable supply demand imbalance. The sector stands out when compared to other real estate sectors and general indicators of inflation.

The migration of student occupation from HMOs to purpose-built accommodation provides benefits to a local community. HMOs released from student occupiers eases pressure on private sector housing and brings the property into the council tax net, a benefit local authorities have been eager to exploit especially given the UK-wide housing shortage.

The purpose-built student accommodation sector as a whole has delivered the best rental growth of any UK property sector, growing significantly in excess of RPI.

The market opportunity

In general, the UK student accommodation sector has emerged as an asset class in its own right. Factors contributing to the continued growth of this sector include:

  • A continuing structural imbalance between demand for purpose-built Direct Let student accommodation and insufficient supply. With rising student numbers, a general migration from the HMO to the purpose-built asset and a supply pipeline that is lagging behind demand, the Executive Directors believe this imbalance will continue.
  • A lack of quality accommodation provided by HEIs results in demand, especially by first year students, for Direct Let accommodation
  • In recent years the sector has represented a stable asset class in terms of net initial yield measured at acquisition (Figure 1).
  • The sector has demonstrated resilience through the recent economic downturn and has proved to be less volatile compared to wider property market movements. Its highly specific characteristics, linked to the higher education market which is less exposed to the broader economic climate, have provided a level of insulation and detachment from the movement in values in other real estate assets.
  • Occupancy rates have remained high throughout the recession, with many facilities running at close to full occupation levels (Figure 3).
  • The lower risk nature of multi-tenant student accommodation assets with rent usually paid in full for the 51 week tenancy in advance of the tenancy by unguaranteed international students or, where financial rent guarantees are given for international students and UK residents, a set of three instalments ahead of each term.
  • The short-term nature of the leases (no more than one year) allows for annual repositioning of the leases.
  • The continued attraction of the UK's higher education system to international students is likely to drive further demand, particularly at the higher end of the quality spectrum of the Direct Let sub-sector.

Figure 1

2015 UK student accommodation yields

Student accommodation yields have remained stable over recent years, as rental growth has been matched by capital appreciation. The sector has therefore outperformed other sectors. Yields though remain in general higher than in other sectors as student accommodation remains a specialist real estate segment with barriers to entry such as scale and access to dedicated operating platforms.

Lease Nomination
Agreement
Direct Let Trend
Prime London 3.75% 4.50% 4.75%
Super Prime Regional 4.25% 4.75% 5.50%
Prime Regional 4.50% 5.25% 6.00%
Secondary Regional 5.00% 5.75% 6.75%

Source: Savills (December 2015)

The sector is increasingly attracting significant levels of institutional capital. The last three years has seen rapidly increasing levels of transactional activity. 2015 was a record year for student accommodation investment with approximately £5.8 billion of gross assets (representing 75,000 beds) sold compared to £2.5 billion in 2014 and £2.0 billion in 2013. (Source: Savills).

Figure 2

Transaction volume and bed numbers in the UK student accommodation market

Source: Savills (December 2015)

Figure 3

Blended occupancy levels across the UK

Source: Savills (December 2015)

Demand – The student market

In 2014/2015, there were 1.70 million full time students in the UK, of which 392,000 (23 per cent.) were international students (Source: HESA). Although a peak in student applicants was experienced in 2010/11, the number of applicants in 2015 reached a new record high (Figure 4). In 2015/16 UCAS placed 532,265 under-graduates into higher education, an increase of 19,895 (3.9 per cent.) over the previous year and the highest number recorded for a single year. Every year since 2008, save for 2012, has seen a new higher education acceptance record being reached in the UK.

Figure 4

Total accepted applicants for the academic year 2015/16 reached a new all-time high of 532,265 applicants

Source: UCAS (2015/2016)

The Rise of the International Student in the UK

The UK is the second most popular country across the globe for international students. In the 2015/2016 cycle, UK HEI acceptances from other EU countries increased 11.0 per cent. to 29,300 (around 5-6 per cent. of all acceptances). Acceptances from countries outside the EU have also increased in 2015/16, up 1.9 per cent. to 39,250 (around 7-8 per cent. of acceptances) (Source: UCAS).

UK higher education has strengthened its position in an international context. In 2000, the UK had a 10.8 per cent. share of the global market for students studying abroad. By 2011, this had grown to 13.0 per cent. In 2011/2012, it was estimated that international students spent £10.2 billion on tuition fees and living expenses in the UK (Source: JLL). As the Government's international education strategy acknowledges, international students enhance the UK's cultural life and broaden the educational experience of the students they study alongside.

The numbers of international students generally continue to increase in the higher ranked universities and decrease in the lower ranks. This is indicative of an increasing demand for high quality education from international students. These higher ranked universities form the core of the Group's operations and target market.

International students tend to be more sophisticated consumers, typically demanding accommodation with modern amenities, which they can source online and review through social media. Purpose-built accommodation also provides higher levels of safety and security. As international students also pay much higher tuition fees than their UK counterparts, accommodation is proportionately a smaller element of their overall education cost. The Executive Directors believe that this may contribute to the general theme of international students driving demand for higher quality, albeit higher priced, purpose-built accommodation options.

The Government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills believes it is realistic for the numbers of international students in the UK to grow by 15-20 per cent. over the next five years, and has signalled that there is no cap on the number of students who can come to study in the UK (though visa conditions continue to apply). The Department published a comprehensive paper (in mid-2013) setting out its support for growing international student numbers and its view that there are few sectors in the UK with the capacity to grow and generate export earnings as impressive as that of education.

Supply – Undersupply of purpose-built accommodation

The supply of suitable student accommodation has failed to keep pace with demand. Universities appear unwilling to develop their own accommodation, instead favouring investment into teaching facilities. This has pushed students increasingly toward the private sector, where students recognise the value of high quality purpose-built accommodation whilst local authorities are starting to restrict the supply of HMOs in certain areas.

The quality of university owned accommodation is generally considered to be fairly basic. An Arcadis study found that of the 325,000 university owned beds only 18 per cent. were classified "as new" with 23 per cent. needing major repair or replacement to continue operating (Figure 6). The estimated cost of renovating this stock (the 23 per cent. of beds) is estimated at £790 million (Source: Arcadis/EC Harris).

Figure 5

University owned accommodation quality

Source: Arcadis/EC Harris

Within the 35 top tier university towns and cities targeted by the Company, there are currently approximately 429,000 purpose-built bed spaces, compared to 1.26 million full-time students. This includes all halls of residence and other purpose-built student accommodation assets. In some university towns and cities, this level of purpose-built accommodation even falls short of the total number of first year students (typically comprising 27 per cent. student population in any specific university town or city). Excluding the tranche of first year students, across all university towns and cities shown in Figure 6, 91 per cent. of students do not have access to a purpose-built bed.

Figure 6

Student population with access to purpose-built accommodation

(The horizontal black line at 27 per cent. indicates the average proportion of first year students across the cities).

Source: ESP, Savills, HESA for 2013/14 academic year

Government Policy

Outlined below are some of the key Government policies that have had, and are likely to continue to have, a significant effect on the student accommodation market in the UK.

  • Lifting of student caps in 2015/16 the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in 2013 announced the removal of the cap on student numbers from 2015/16. The removal of the cap is estimated by the Government to result in an increase of up to 12 per cent. in enrolments, with a commensurate requirement for increases in student bed spaces.
  • Tuition fees in 2012/13, student numbers were impacted by the introduction of higher tuition fees (from £3,000 up to £9,000 at universities across the UK). While it was predicted that the increase in tuition fees would have a significant impact on student numbers, in the 2015/2016 cycle applications increased again and the number of acceptances for UK domiciled students was at its highest ever level.
  • AAB model from the 2012/2013 cycle, the UK Government lifted the restriction on UK universities on the recruitment of students with AAB+ A-level grades (or equivalent), in order to encourage competition and efficiency within the higher education sector and to give students more choice. This has led to further upward pressure on student numbers.
  • Restrictions on HMOs some local authorities have implemented the Article 4 Direction to remove or prevent change of use to HMOs. A reduction in the availability of HMOs would increase demand for alternative student housing, such as purpose built accommodation.

Historical Performance and Current Pricing

The purpose-built student accommodation sector has delivered steady and rising rental income above inflation rates. The sector has demonstrated superior performance compared to all other real estate sectors – in the period from 1995 to 2014, rental values have tripled, showing almost twice as much growth as that from other real estate sectors.

Trends

The student accommodation sector has shown a stable yield profile (Figure 1). Following yield compression in the early to mid-2000s, average yields hit 5.75 per cent. in 2007, rose to 6.4 per cent. in 2009 and are currently trading at net initial yields of approximately 6.0 per cent. in prime regional areas, and at sub 5.0 per cent. in London. As rental values continue to grow, and yield remains constant, asset price inflation is the result. Given the structural imbalance in the sector and the challenges to large scale development in the UK, the Executive Directors believe that the returns in the sector should remain attractive for the medium to longer term.

PART 4

DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTORS

As an internally managed investment company, the Executive Directors are principally responsible for the management of the Company's investment activities on a day-to-day basis. The principal responsibility of the Board is to promote the long term success of the Company by creating and delivering sustainable shareholder value. The Board leads and provides direction for the Executive Directors by setting the investment objective and investment policy and overseeing its implementation by the Executive Directors.

The Board is responsible for ensuring that an effective system of internal control is maintained and that management maintains an effective risk management and oversight process across the Group, so that growth is delivered in a controlled and sustainable way.

The majority of the Board (including the Chairman) are independent of the Executive Directors and they are responsible for the oversight of the activities and performance of the Executive Directors.

The Directors are as follows:

Brenda Dean (The Rt Hon Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde) (Chairman) (aged 72)

Baroness Dean is currently a member of the regulated board of Places for People, and was for nine years (2004–2013) a non-executive director at Taylor Wimpey acting as a member of the remuneration, audit and nomination committees at various times. Baroness Dean was also the chairman of the Covent Garden Market Authority (2005–2013), and as chairman led the work to secure the redevelopment of the 57 acre site. Amongst many other activities, Baroness Dean was chairman of the Housing Corporation (now the Homes and Communities Agency), which managed private and public funding in excess of £50 billion in the sector. She was also chairman of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Baroness Dean is currently a non-executive director of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), and is a member of the remuneration committee and chairman of the employee share trust. Baroness Dean is a member of the Council for Nottingham University (a member of the Russell Group), and holds honorary degrees from ten different universities in the UK. She was a member of the National Committee of Inquiry into the Future of Higher Education – the Dearing Committee, has been a Council member of City University, London, the Open University and the London School of Economics. Baroness Dean was created a Life Peer in 1993 and a member of the Privy Council in 1998.

Paul Hadaway BA (Hons) RIBA (Chief Executive Officer) (aged 55)

An architect by training, Paul worked in Hong Kong on the development of the North Island Line of its metro railway system, the MTR. He returned to London in 1986, and worked for Chicago based Skidmore Owings and Merrill, where his clients included Natwest and Hyatt Hotels. Paul also worked as a partner in an architectural practice, The Design Solution, from 1991 with clients including BAA, Westfield, Compass Group and Debenhams. Paul has worked as a property investor since his first purchase, an office building in Lambeth, in 1997. He began working with Tim Attlee in 1999. Their property developments since then have included student, up-market residential, medical and educational turn-key buildings and commercial offices.

Timothy Attlee BSc (Hons) MRICS (Chief Investment Officer) (aged 54)

After obtaining a degree at King's College, London and post graduate study at the University of Reading, Tim ran an office in Botswana for Knight Frank undertaking all aspects of real estate general practice, but with particular emphasis on institutional investment and development. Since 1988, Tim has worked as a principal in property development and investment businesses, working on a wide range of projects in Botswana and South Africa, many of which were undertaken on behalf of institutional clients. After returning to the UK in 1998, Tim worked on projects across the UK, before establishing a working partnership with Paul Hadaway, his partner in LCPP, in 1999. In 2009, LCPP first targeted the UK student residential market and Tim was jointly responsible for the acquisition, development and management activities of LCPP's student portfolio.

Michael Enright FCA (Chief Financial Officer) (aged 59)

Michael has worked in industry and commerce since 1977, having qualified with Arthur Andersen & Co where he remained until 1981. After three years working in New York and Miami in corporate finance roles, Michael returned to the UK to lead the flotation of CCF Group plc (a provider of technology to the financial services sector), as finance director. CCF was subsequently renamed Quotient plc, and experienced strong growth, organically and through M&A and joint venture activities, across key global markets. The business was subsequently acquired by Misys Group plc. As finance director at Oasis Group plc (a strategic consulting and technology provider), Michael led a proposed UK flotation, which was overtaken by an acquisition by Sybase Inc, a c.US\$1.5bn NASDAQ listed technology provider. In 1996, Michael was also part of a management buy-in team at M-R Group plc (a document services and work flow technology provider) and, after a period of major restructuring and repositioning, this business was also acquired by a major US technology company in 1999. From 1999, Michael focused on opportunities in the property and leisure sectors, including investment in, and an advisory role to, LCPP from its inception.

Stephen Alston (Non-Executive Director) (aged 53)

Stephen is a partner of Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP with responsibility for asset management across its UK investment portfolio and the raising of debt funding requirements for both investment and development projects. Stephen is also a member of the Revcap investment committee. Stephen has 26 years' experience of structuring investment, development and planning deals as a lender and financial equity partner for both commercial and residential projects across market cycles. Stephen was previously Deputy CEO (Commercial Banking & Treasury) at Ahli United Bank (UK) PLC. Stephen is a member of the Association of Property Lenders. As an employee of Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP, Stephen is not considered to be fully independent for the purposes of the Listing Rules.

Jim Prower ACA (Non-Executive Director) (aged 60)

Jim has worked in industry and commerce since 1985, having qualified at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co in 1979. He performed the roles of Finance Director and Company Secretary at Minty plc (1987-1989), Creston Land & Estates plc (1989-1995) and NOBO Group plc (1995-1997), before joining Argent Group plc in the same roles. Since 2009, he has been closely involved with the development of King's Cross Central (a joint venture between London & Continental Railways, Australian Super, Hermes Investment Management, DHL Supply Chain and Argent King's Cross Limited Partnership), for which he has been primarily responsible for raising debt for working capital, development and investment. In December 2012, together with other senior Argent personnel, Jim became a member of Argent (Property Development) Services LLP and Argent Investments LLP, which acquired Argent's property investment, development and management. Jim retired from Argent (Property Development) Services LLP on 31 December 2015. In addition to being a non-executive director of the Company he acts as a non-executive director of Tritax Big Box REIT plc (where he chairs the audit committee).

Stuart Beevor (Non-Executive Director) (aged 59)

Stuart is a Chartered Surveyor with 35 years of real estate experience, including student accommodation, having been a non-executive director on the board of The Unite Group plc for nine years from 2004. Stuart is currently a non-executive director of ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments Limited, the Senior Independent Director of Metropolitan Housing Trust, Chairman of the Investment Advisory Board for the Diversified Property Fund for Charities, a member of two segregated pension fund investment committees managed by DTZ Investors, a member of the Greenwich Hospital Advisory Board, and a trustee of the Investment Property Forum Educational Trust. Previously, Stuart was Managing Director of Grosvenor Fund Management, an international real estate fund management business. Prior to that, he was Managing Director at Legal and General Property Limited, having started his career at Norwich Union (now Aviva).

OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS

The Company also has engaged the services of the following key employees and consultants:

Clint Bartman BSC, MBAOperations Director

Clint joined the Company as Operations Director in February 2015. From 2001 to 2012, Clint worked as Senior Director of Real Estate for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity operating a portfolio of 183 Student properties across the United States and Canada. In 2013, Clint joined the London student accommodation operator Nido managing its flagship building, Spitalfields Tower, and led the group to win the UK Student Operator of the Year RESI Award in 2014. Clint has a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt University.

Charles Taylor BSC (Hons) MRICS – Consultant (Acquisitions Manager)

After obtaining a geography degree at the University of Nottingham and a post-graduate diploma in Surveying at the University of Reading, Charles was elected a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2006. From 2003 to 2009, Charles worked in the Student Property team at Knight Frank in Birmingham, becoming an Associate in 2008. In 2009, Charles joined specialist student accommodation providers The Mansion Group, as an acquisitions surveyor, becoming head of department in 2013. Charles started working with the Company as a consultant in September 2014.

Andrew Leo MRICS – Development Manager

Andrew is a chartered quantity surveyor, having gained membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2009. Andrew joined the construction industry in 1996 and has gained experience on a wide range of construction projects providing quantity surveying services to sub-contractors, main contractors and professional construction consultants. Prior to joining the Company, Andrew specialised in providing technical due diligence services on construction projects to a range of funding institutions, with a focus on project management, project monitoring and risk management from inception to completion.

Martyn Roe MBA, MRICS, Dip Proj Man – Consultant (Acquisitions Surveyor)

Martyn obtained a degree in Land Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Reading and was elected a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1989. Between 1985 and 1993, Martyn worked for both Debenham Tewson & Chinnocks and Hillier Parker in Los Angeles and London. Since 1994, he has been based in Scotland and has headed up the Scottish development businesses of a number of large property companies (London & Regional Properties, The Unite Group plc and Kenmore Property Group). Since leaving Kenmore in 2008, Martyn has run his own student accommodation advisory business.

INVESTMENT PROCESS

Investment origination

The Executive Directors have established a network of contacts in the UK student accommodation sector from which potential investment flows are sourced. This network includes owner/operators, investment funds, developers, property agents and other proprietary real estate contacts.

The Company focuses on acquiring (or developing) assets in towns and cities with high-quality HEIs, an attractive imbalance of supply and demand in existing student accommodation and a student profile (typically with numerous overseas and graduate students) that supports the strategy of targeting higher rental rates.

As referred to in the investment policy, the Company generally targets prime central locations in order to increase the alternative use value of the properties and to limit the risk of obsolescence.

Due diligence

Following initial screening, short listed investment opportunities and projects are subjected to detailed financial, legal and technical due diligence by the Company. Following the successful conclusion of this due diligence process, a formal investment proposal and business plan for the investment is prepared.

Approval and execution

All investments are approved by the Board.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS' INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

In addition to the salaries payable to the Executive Directors pursuant to their service agreements and any bonuses awarded by the Remuneration Committee under the Company's annual bonus scheme, the Company operates a long term incentive plan (the "LTIP") under which the Executive Directors (and any other future employees of the Group) are incentivised by the grant to them of options over Shares. Further details of the LTIP and the share awards granted to the Executive Directors are set out in paragraphs 4.4 and 6 of Part 8 of this Registration Document.

Further details of the Executive Directors' service agreements and the annual bonus scheme are set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Part 8 of this Registration Document.

OTHER ARRANGEMENTS

Investment support arrangements

Revcap has been appointed by the Company under the terms of the Investment Support Agreement to provide certain investment support services to the Company in connection with the operation of its business. Under the Investment Support Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Revcap, as consideration for the provision of its services, a fee which shall accrue annually at a rate of 0.2 per cent. of the Net Asset Value (but adjusted to exclude any cash balances held by the Company from time to time), which fee shall be payable in arrears each quarter based on the last published Net Asset Value (calculated before deduction of any accrued fee for that quarter) but subject always to a minimum annual payment of £200,000 and a capped maximum annual payment of £300,000. The Investment Support Agreement and the appointment of Revcap shall continue unless and until terminated by the Company or Revcap giving to the other not less than 12 months' written notice, such notice not to be served before 30 June 2016. The agreement may also be terminated immediately by the Company on the occurrence of certain events.

Administrator and company secretary

FIM Capital Limited has been appointed as administrator and company secretary to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Administrator will provide company secretarial functions required by the Companies Act. The Company's statutory records will be maintained at the Company's registered office. In addition, the Administrator will provide certain agreed administration functions to the Company. Under the terms of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to an administration fee of £30,000 per annum (exclusive of VAT). This fee is subject to review annually. The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement is terminable upon six months' written notice.

Depositary

Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited has been appointed as depositary to the Company. The Depositary acts as the sole depositary of the Company and is, amongst other things, responsible for: ensuring the Company's cash flows are properly monitored; the safe keeping of the assets of the Group; and the oversight and supervision of the Company (as its own AIFM). Under the terms of the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary is entitled to a depositary fee based on the value of the Company's assets under management subject to a minimum fee of £20,000 per annum and a maximum fee of £40,000 per annum (excluding VAT).

Registrar

The Company utilises the services of Computershare Investor Services PLC as registrar in relation to the transfer and settlement of Shares. Under the terms of the Registrar Agreement, the Registrar is entitled to an annual maintenance fee of £1.20 per Shareholder account per annum, subject to a minimum fee of £3,000. The Registrar is also entitled to activity fees under the Registrar Agreement. The Registrar Agreement may be terminated on six months' notice, such notice not to expire prior to 30 June 2016.

Auditor

BDO LLP provides audit services to the Company. The annual report and accounts will be prepared according to the accounting standards laid out under IFRS and in accordance with EPRA's best practice recommendations.

FEES AND EXPENSES

On-going annual expenses

The on-going annual expenses of the Company will be borne by the Company including salaries bonuses and fees paid to the Directors and service providers as detailed in this Part 4, travel, accommodation, printing, audit, finance costs, due diligence and legal fees. All reasonable out-ofpocket expenses of the facilities and lettings managers engaged by the Group, the Administrator, the Registrar and the Directors relating to the Company will also be borne by the Company. The on-going annual expenses of the Company for the period ending 31 December 2016 relative to the Net Asset Value is expected to be approximately 1.55 per cent., however, with the predominantly fixed cost base of the Company, for illustration, if the NAV were to rise by £100 million, this rate would fall to approximately 1.25 per cent.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Stephen Alston, an employee of Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP (an affiliate of Revcap), is a Non-Executive Director of the Company.

Under the terms of the Investment Support Agreement, the Company has engaged Revcap to provide investment support services to the Company. The Company has also entered into the Revcap Development Framework Agreement under which Revcap and the Company have agreed to cooperate through a joint venture to acquire, secure planning, develop and retain as investments suitable properties and sites that can be developed/converted into prime student residential accommodation.

As an interested person, Stephen Alston will not participate in discussions or decisions of the Board, which relate to the Group's arrangements with Revcap and/or investment decisions relating to joint venture projects under the Revcap Development Framework Agreement.

THE TAKEOVER CODE

The Takeover Code applies to the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board supports high standards of corporate governance and the development of corporate governance policies and procedures in compliance with the requirements of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The Company is a member of the AIC and complies with the principles of good governance contained in the AIC Code (which complements the UK Corporate Governance Code and provides a framework of best practice for listed investment companies) with reference to the AIC Guide. The AIC Code, as explained by the AIC Guide, addresses all the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on issues that are of specific relevance to the Company as an investment company.

The Company will seek to comply with the recommendations of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code and will disclose any areas of non-compliance in its annual report and accounts.

Furthermore, the Company is a member of EPRA, the real estate body responsible for formulating best practice for the European real estate sector in reporting and accounting.

The Board and Board Committees

The Chairman is Baroness Dean.

With the exception of Stephen Alston (who is an employee of Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP) the Board considers each of the Non-Executive Directors (including the Chairman) to be independent for the purposes of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Jim Prower is the Company's Senior Independent Director.

The full Board will meet at least six times a year to consider general matters affecting the Company and otherwise as required. Committee meetings comprising any two or more Directors will meet on an ad hoc basis to consider transactional and related matters concerning the Company's business.

The Board has established Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees. These Committees undertake specific activities through delegated authority from the Board. Terms of reference for each Committee have been adopted and will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Board.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises Stephen Alston, Stuart Beevor and Jim Prower (who is Chairman and is considered to have recent and relevant financial experience). The Audit Committee meets at least twice a year. There are likely to be a number of regular attendees at meetings of the Audit Committee, including other members of the Board and the Group's external auditors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee will also meet with external auditors without the Executive Directors present.

The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that the financial performance of the Group is properly reported and monitored. The Audit Committee reviews the annual and interim accounts, the accounting policies of the Group and key areas of accounting judgment, management information statements, financial announcements, internal control systems, risk management and the continuing appointment of auditors. It also monitors the whistle blowing policy and procedures over fraud and bribery.

Due to its size, structure and the nature of its activities, the Group does not have an internal audit function. The Audit Committee will continue to keep this matter under review.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee comprises Stephen Alston, Paul Hadaway and Baroness Dean, who is Chairman. The Nominations Committee undertakes an annual review of any succession planning and ensures that the membership and composition of the Board and its Committees are constituted appropriately in light of the requirements of the Group and those of the UK Corporate Governance Code, with the necessary balance of skills and expertise to undertake their roles effectively.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee comprises Jim Prower, Baroness Dean and Stuart Beevor, who is Chairman. The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year to:

  • determine and agree with the Board the broad policy for the remuneration of the Executive Directors;
  • consider the achievement of the performance conditions under the annual and long-term incentive/bonus arrangements; and
  • consider any major changes in employee benefit structures when determining executive remuneration.

The Remuneration Committee has delegated authority to set individual remuneration arrangements for the Executive Directors. In determining remuneration for the Executive Directors, the Committee reviews and agrees: (i) overall market positioning of the remuneration package; (ii) individual base salaries and increases; and (iii) the annual and long-term incentive/bonus arrangements, and sets the relevant targets for performance related schemes. In determining remuneration policy and packages, the Committee has regard to the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Listing Rules and all other relevant codes, laws and regulations.

The Committee also considers and recommends to the Board the content of the Directors' Remuneration Report which will have regard to, and reflect, all relevant legislation.

The fees and other payment arrangements for Non-Executive Directors are matters for consideration by a sub-committee of the Board, consisting of the Chairman and one or more Executive Directors, which makes recommendations to the Board as a whole.

Directors' share dealings

The Company is required to comply with the UKLA Model Code.

PART 5

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE GROUP

1 AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE GROUP FOR THE PERIOD FROM THE COMPANY'S INCORPORATION TO 30 JUNE 2015 AND INTERIM REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

The Group has published audited consolidated financial statements for the period from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015 in respect of which the Company's auditor, BDO LLP, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor, of 55 Baker Street, London W1 7EU, has given an unqualified opinion that the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group as at 30 June 2015 and its profits for the period then ended, have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act and have been delivered to Companies House.

The Group has published unaudited financial statements in respect of the financial period from 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015.

Save for the historical information of the Group from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015 incorporated by reference in paragraph 2 of this Part 5, none of the information in this Registration Document has been audited. Unless otherwise indicated, all unaudited financial information relating to the Group contained in this Registration Document has been sourced, without material adjustment, from the internal accounting records of the Group on a basis consistent with the Company's accounting policies.

2 AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE GROUP FOR THE PERIOD FROM THE COMPANY'S INCORPORATION TO 30 JUNE 2015

2.1 Historical financial information

The audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the period from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015, which have been incorporated in this Registration Document by reference, included the information specified in the tables below.

Audited consolidated financial
statements of the Group
for the period from the
Company's incorporation
to 30 June 2015
Nature of information Page no(s)
Consolidated statement of Comprehensive Income 66
Consolidated statement of Financial Position 67
Consolidated statement of Changes in Equity 69
Consolidated statement of Cash Flows 71
Notes to the Financial Statements 73-93
Report of the Independent Auditor 62-65
Chairman's Statement 2-3
Director's Report 58-60

2.2 Selected financial information

The key audited figures that summarise the Group's financial condition in respect of the period from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015 which have been extracted directly on a straightforward basis without material adjustment from the historical financial information referred to in paragraph 2.1 of this Part 5, are set out in the following table:

As at or for the
period ended
30 June 2015
Total Assets (£'000) 331,424
Investments (£'000) 248,153
Total Assets less Current Liabilities (£'000) 324,242
Net Assets (£'000) 240,395
Net Asset Value per Share (basic) (sterling pence) 103.21
Earnings per Share (basic) (sterling pence) 9.67
Dividends per Share (sterling pence) 3.00

2.3 Operating and financial review

The published audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the period from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015, which have been incorporated by reference into this Registration Document, include, on the pages specified in the table below, descriptions of the Group's financial condition (in both capital and revenue terms), details of the Group's investment activity and portfolio exposure, and changes in its financial condition for the period from the Company's incorporation to 30 June 2015:

Audited consolidated
financial statements of
the Group for the period from
the Company's incorporation
to 30 June 2015
Page no(s)
Chairman's statement 2-3
Our Business Model 4-5
Chief Executive's Q&A 8-10
Chief Investment Officer's Market Update 12-13
Chief Financial Officer's Review 16-22
Key Performance Indicators 24

3 INTERIM REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

3.1 Historical financial information

The interim report and unaudited financial statements for the six month period ended 31 December 2015, which have been incorporated into this Registration Document by reference, include the information specified in the table below.

Interim report and unaudited
financial statements
for the six month period
ended 31 December 2015
Page no(s)
22
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
23
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
24
26
27-39
6-9

3.2 Selected financial information

The key unaudited figures that summarise the Group's financial condition in respect of the six month period from 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015 (together with comparative data from the six month period from 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014), which have been extracted directly on a straightforward basis without material adjustment from the historical financial information referred to in paragraph 3.1 of this Part 5, are set out in the following table:

As at or for the As at or for the
financial period financial period from
from 1 July 2015 to 1 July 2014 to
31 December 2015 31 December 2014
Total Assets (£'000) 522,639 195,610
Investments (£'000) 356,532 110,168
Total Assets less Current Liabilities (£'000) 508,389 184,711
Net Assets (£'000) 405,896 149,074
NAV per Share (basic) (sterling pence) 105.43 99.38
Earnings per Share (basic) (sterling pence) 4.35 3.26
Dividends per Share (basic) (sterling pence) 3.00 2.00

3.3 Operating and financial review

The interim report and unaudited financial statements for the six month period ended 31 December 2015, which have been incorporated by reference in this Registration Document, include, on the pages specified in the table below, descriptions of the Group's financial condition (in both capital and revenue terms), details of the Group's investment activity and portfolio exposure, and changes in its financial condition for that period.

Interim report and unaudited financial statements for the six month period ended 31 December 2015 Page no(s) Chairman's Statement 6-9 Executive Directors' Report 10-16

4 AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR INSPECTION

Copies of the Company's annual report and audited accounts and interim report and unaudited financial statements referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Part 5 are available online at www.empiric.co.uk and are also available for inspection at the address set out on page 163 of this Registration Document.

5 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Where part only of a document is incorporated by reference into this Document, those parts not so incorporated by reference are either not relevant for prospective investors or are covered elsewhere in this Registration Document.

6 LIQUIDITY

As at 31 December 2015, the Company's cash balance was £147.8 million. Apart from the Group's operating requirements for working capital, these funds are committed to financing the Group's portfolio of assets under development including both the forward funded projects and the Group's share of joint venture development costs, as well as paying for the assets for which the Group has entered into forward commitments.

On 29 February 2016, the Group entered into the amended and restated Canada Life Facility pursuant to which it has secured a further £40 million of debt financing (see paragraph 9.8 of Part 8 of this Registration Document). As a result, the Group currently has approximately £150 million of committed debt financing in place of which £103.25 million is currently drawn (excluding the Group's share of joint venture debt) representing a loan to value ratio of 20.3 per cent., with a weighted average term to maturity of 6.7 years.

The Group, therefore, has sufficient funds to fulfil its current commitments. The Net Proceeds of the Initial Issue and any undrawn debt facilities will be used to fund further acquisitions from the Company's identified pipeline.

PART 6

VALUATION REPORT

CBRE Limited Henrietta House Henrietta Place London W1G 0NB

Fax +44 (0)20 7182 2001 Switchboard +44 (0)20 7182 2000

Valuation Report
Report Date 1 March 2016
Addressee Empiric Student Property plc (the "Company")
6-8 James Street
London W1U 1ED
Akur Limited
66 St. James's Street
London
SW1A 1NE
In their capacity as Joint Financial Advisor
Jefferies International Limited
Vintners Place
68 Upper Thames Street
London EC4V 3BJ
In their capacity as Sponsor, Joint Financial Adviser and Sole Global
Coordinator and Bookrunner
(together the "Addressees")
The Properties The properties listed in the Schedule of Capital Values set out below
(the "Properties").
Instruction To value on the basis of Market Value the Properties as at the
valuation date in accordance with the instructions of the Company
dated 11 February 2016.
Valuation Date 31 December 2015
Capacity of Valuer External (as defined by the RICS Valuation Professional Standards).
We confirm that CBRE Ltd has no financial interest in the Company.
Purpose of Valuation We are instructed to report to the Addressees our opinion as to the
value of the Properties as at the Valuation Date for use in connection
with the issuance of ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of
the Company (the "Shares"), and the admission of the Shares to the
premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority
and to trading on London Stock Exchange plc's Main Market for
listed securities (the "Transaction") and the prospectus to be issued by

the Company in connection with the Transaction (the "Prospectus").

Market Value £361,680,000
(THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND POUNDS), exclusive of VAT, as
shown in the Schedule of Capital Values set out below.
ONE
MILLION
SIX
For the avoidance of doubt we have valued the Properties individually
and no account has been taken of any discount or premium that may
be negotiated in the market if all or part of the portfolio was to be
marketed simultaneously, either in lots or as a whole.
We can confirm that there are no negative values to report.
We have based our opinion of Market Value (as such term is defined
under "Assumptions" below) on the assumption that under current
legislation the properties would qualify for Multiple Dwellings Relief
(MDR). As with all SDLT legislation, this could be subject to change.
Where a property is owned by way of a joint tenancy in a trust for
sale, or through an indirect investment structure, our valuation
represents the relevant apportioned percentage of ownership of the
value of the whole property, assuming full management control. Our
opinion of Market Value is based upon the Scope of Work and
Valuation Assumptions attached, and has been primarily derived
using comparable recent market transactions on arm's length terms.
ESMA 130 (vi) The valuation of the Properties included in the Group's audited
consolidated financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2015
was £260,425,000 (being £230,730,000 in relation to investment
properties, £18,195,000 in relation to properties in the course of
development and £11,500,000 in relation to two properties held in
joint ventures). The difference between the Market Value of the
Properties at 31 December 2015 and the Market Value of the
Properties in the Group's audited consolidated statements for the
period ended 30 June 2015 is explained as follows:
Market Value as at 30 June 2015 £260,425,000
Increase in Market Value in Properties held
as at 30 June 2015
£26,175,000
Market Value of Additions since 30 June 2015,
as at 31 December 2015
£75,080,000
Market Value as at 31 December 2015 £361,680,000
Compliance with Valuation
Standards
The valuations have been prepared in accordance with The RICS
Valuation – Professional Standards January 2014 (revised April
2015) ("the Red Book").
The valuations are compliant with the International Valuation
Standards, and are in accordance with paragraphs 128 to 130 of
the ESMA update of the Committee of European Securities
Regulators' (CESR) recommendations for the consistent implication of
the
European
Commission
Regulation
(EC)
implementing the Prospectus Directive and Rule 5.6.5 of the
Prospectus Rules.
no.
809/2004
We confirm that we have sufficient current local and national
knowledge of the particular property market involved, and have the
skills and understanding to undertake the valuations competently.
Where the knowledge and skill requirements of the Red Book have
been met in aggregate by more than one valuer within CBRE Ltd
("CBRE"), we confirm that a list of those valuers has been retained
within the working papers, together with confirmation that each
named valuer complies with the requirements of the Red Book.
Assumptions The property details on which each valuation is based are as set out
in this report. We have made various assumptions as to tenure,
letting, taxation, town planning, and the condition and repair of
buildings
and
sites

including
ground
and
groundwater
contamination – as set out below.
If any of the information or assumptions on which the valuation is
based are subsequently found to be incorrect, the valuation figures
may also be incorrect and should be reconsidered.
Market Conditions The values stated in this report represent our objective opinion of
Market Value in accordance with the definition set out above as of
the valuation date. Amongst other things, this assumes that the
properties had been properly marketed and that exchange of
contracts took place on this date.
The valuations of the Company's properties were made as at
31 December 2015 and do not reflect any changes in the properties
or market conditions since that date.
We have reflected in our valuation, as at the valuation date, our
opinion of the investment market's perception of potential domestic
and international demographic, economic and political trends and
risks. Subsequent developments in such matters may impact on the
market value of the properties in the future.
Variation from standard
Assumptions
None.
Valuer The Properties have been valued by a valuer who is qualified for the
purpose of the valuation in accordance with the Red Book.
Independence The total fees, including the fee for this assignment, earned by CBRE
(or other companies forming part of the same group of companies
within the UK) from the Addressees (or other companies forming part
of the same group of companies) is less than 5.0% of the total UK
revenues.
Disclosure We have provided valuation advice to the Company in respect of the
Properties owned by the Company since 31 July 2014 for accounts
purposes.
We also provided valuations for London Stock Exchange purposes on
11 June 2014, and 29 October 2014.
We have also provided valuations to Royal Bank of Scotland plc and
Canada Life Limited for lending purposes.

We also valued the Properties on acquisition.

Conflicts of Interest It is confirmed that CBRE has previously valued Willowbank, Glasgow and Brunswick House, Southampton for accounting purposes on behalf of Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP. We do not consider that any conflict of interest arises for us in preparing the advice requested by the Company and the Company has confirmed this to us.

We confirm that we do not have any material interest in the Company or any of the Properties. Copies of our conflict of interest checks have been retained within the working papers.

Student accommodation is an income-driven property investment asset class. There are various letting models, including leases to universities, nomination agreements and lettings direct to students ('direct let') through an operator. Student Housing as an Asset Class

Approximately 10% of rooms in the operational portfolio in the 2015/2016 year are subject to some form of nomination agreement.

Schemes are managed by an operator, and rooms in the residences are marketed and let to students who pay rents directly to the operator.

Lettings during term time are usually between 40 and 51 weeks. The length of tenancy will depend upon local market dynamics. There is an opportunity to let rooms during the summer period where there is demand.

Costs of running the properties, including repair, maintenance, on-site staff, broadband, utilities, insurance, marketing and letting administration are borne by the landlord. In addition to the day to running costs, the operator will normally charge a management fee.

The success of direct let student accommodation schemes depends on location (proximity to campus locations, public transport, shops and bars and other locations of interest to students), specification, and the overall level of service provided on site.

Student accommodation has grown significantly in popularity as an investment asset class over the last 5 years, and is experiencing strong demand from investors in the current market conditions to its stable income producing potential and the opportunity to review the rents upward each year.

Valuation Methodology In valuing the properties, we have made key assumptions in respect of matters including, but not limited to, estimated rental values and expected future rental revenues from the property and market-based yields. In respect of development properties additional assumptions include, but are not limited to, the development considered achievable, assumed timescales, assumed future development costs and appropriate finance rates and profit rates.

Such assumptions may prove in future to have been inaccurate, which could negatively affect the valuation of any of the properties.

To arrive at the Market Value of the student schemes we have derived the Market Rent by comparing the passing rent to comparable rental evidence and from this made an allowance for outgoings. We have then capitalised our estimate of net income using net initial yield based on comparable investment transactions, whilst also benchmarking the value per bedspace.

We have inputted our valuation into a ten year cashflow. After making assumptions to rental growth, cost inflation and exit yield we are able to arrive at an indicative IRR we have then used to further benchmark our valuation.

Further explanation of the valuation components is set out below:

Term Time Rental Income

We adopt the room mix (number of each type) from the originally provided floorplans and where amended we have relied on the information provided by the Company. We have reviewed and benchmarked against other market rents the proposed advertised rents as provided by the Company. We then apply the rents at which we believe the scheme will achieve full occupancy. Very often these rents are the advertised rents, but occasionally we apply rents which are more or less than these when compared to the wider market.

Our rents for 2016/2017 have been provided by the Company and are based on the rents which are being advertised for the next academic year.

We reflect the tenancy lengths achieved at each property and also local market norms for the type of property.

We have assumed 97 per cent. to 98 per cent. occupancy as we are assuming rents at which the property will sell out.

Where relevant, we will reflect the terms of any nomination agreements for the relevant years in our cash flow.

Summer Income

The majority of the subject properties are let on 51-lettings; therefore there is little summer income potential. However, where relevant we reflect an element of summer income potential.

Additional Income

We have included additional income derived from vending machines and the on-site launderette. Occasionally there may be other items such as parking spaces.

The term time rental income, summer income and additional income together form the gross rental income.

Market Rents

We have estimated the Market Rents based on comparable rental evidence. We have applied the market rents taking into account the macro and micro characteristics such as location of the property

within each town together the size and specification of each room type.

Management Costs

We been provided with running costs information associated with the scheme by the property managers. We have compared these running costs to market levels and adopted a level that represents what a potential purchaser would need to pay to operate the scheme on an individual basis.

The gross rental income minus the management costs are the net rental income.

Net Initial Yield

The key yield driver in our valuations is the net initial yield. We apply the net initial yield derived from comparable transactions to the net rental income. We provide an IRR calculation on our cash flows for illustrative purposes but it is not a key driver.

Rent and Cost Inflation

The student housing sector offers an annual opportunity for rental growth.

We model rental growth at 2-3.5 per cent. per annum. Key considerations in the amount of rental growth applied are the current rental levels, the letting track record at the property, the amount of competing schemes nearby and the degree of supply in the town.

We typically model cost growth of 3 per cent. to 3.5 per cent. per annum. Cost growth may be higher than rental growth in some towns.

Exit Yields

Exit is assumed at the end of the 10-year cash flow period. Our exit yield is typically 50 basis points higher than the net initial yield applied. The exit yield is applied to the projected rental income at the end of the cash flow. We apply purchaser's costs and agency fees to the exit value.

Our exit value is included within our cashflow to enable an IRR calculation to be made. The IRR is a useful tool to help further benchmark our valuation but it is less of a valuation driver than the net initial yield or the capital value per bedspace.

Purchaser's Costs

We have made allowance in our valuations for purchaser's costs, based on the SDLT rates applicable to UK Real Estate, plus notional allowances for agents' and legal fees. Where appropriate, the SDLT rates adopted reflect Multiple Dwellings Relief.

The Company has confirmed that in the case of Kingsmill, Huddersfield the OpCo/Prop Co structure has recently been collapsed. MDR will therefore now apply to this property.

Commercial Units

Some of the schemes have ground floor commercial units. We use Argus software to calculate the values of these units. Typically we apply an appropriate net initial yield to the existing income.

Where a unit is vacant, we capitalise the rental value and allow for a letting void, rent free period and void costs.

Development Properties

Properties held for Development or in the Course of Development have been valued on the Residual (Development Appraisal) Method.

This is the commonly practised method of valuing development property, whereby the estimated total costs of realising the proposed development (including construction costs, fees and other on-costs, contingencies, costs of finance and developer's profit) are deducted from the gross development value of the completed project to determine the residual land value.

Values derived from a Residual Development Appraisal calculation can be extremely sensitive to minor changes in any of the inputs. Whilst we have checked the information provided to us against available sources of information and provided for levels of profit which in our opinion reflect the levels of risk inherent in the projects, unforeseen events such as delays in timing, minor market movements etc. can have a disproportionate effect on the resulting value.

For the development sites, we have calculated the projected Gross Development Values (GDVs) as outlined above. We have allowed for rental growth between now and practical completion.

We have made a profit margin allowance from the GDVs. This is to reflect the fact that if the property were to be sold as a development in progress, a hypothetical purchaser would expect a discount from the stabilised price to reflect a range of factors such as the risk of contractor failure, late completion and letting risk. The quantum of the profit margin depends on the remaining time to completion, and whether the development is on schedule.

In the cases of the developments which are currently under construction (Glasgow, Sheffield, Bristol, Huddersfield Oldfield House, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Nottingham), we have deducted the outstanding development costs (taken from the cost trackers) from the GDV net of the profit margin.

Reliance and Responsibility This report has been prepared for inclusion in the Registration Document and may not be reproduced or used in connection with any other purposes without our prior consent.

Save for any responsibility arising under Prospectus Rule 5.5.3R(2)(f) to any person as and to the extent there provided, to the fullest extent permitted by law we do not assume any responsibility and will not accept any liability to any other person for any loss suffered by any such person as a result of, arising out of, or in accordance with this report or our statement, required by and given solely for the purposes

of complying with Annex I item 23.1 of the Prospectus Directive, consenting to its inclusion in the Registration Document.

For the purposes of Prospectus Rule 5.5.3R(2)(f), CBRE accepts responsibility for the information within this report and declares that it has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this report is, to the best of its knowledge, in accordance with the facts and contains no omission likely to affect its import. This declaration is included in the Registration Document in compliance with Annex I item 1.2 of the Prospectus Directive.

Publication Neither the whole nor any part of our report nor any references thereto may be included in any published document, circular or statement nor published in any way without our prior written approval of the form and context in which it will appear.

Such publication of, or reference to this report will not be permitted unless it contains a sufficient contemporaneous reference to any departure from the Red Book or the incorporation of the special assumptions referred to herein.

Yours faithfully

Michael Brodtman FRICS Jo Winchester FRICS Executive Director Senior Director RICS Registered Valuer RICS Registered Valuer

T: 020 7182 2674 T: 020 7182 2019.

Valuation & Advisory Services T: 020 7182 2000 F: 020 7182 3002 W: www.cbre.co.uk Project Reference: JW/JT/341702. Report Version: 2013 GROUP CERT r4.dotm

For and on behalf of CBRE Ltd For and on behalf of CBRE Ltd

E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Schedule of Capital Values (Market Values)

Operational Properties

Address Freehold
£
* Long
Leasehold
£
** Short
Leasehold
£
Total
£
RBS Portfolio 1
SOUTHAMPTON, London Road
Apartments
3,170,000 1,190,000 4,360,000
NOTTINGHAM, Talbot Studios 9,850,000 9,850,000
ABERDEEN, Centro Court 7,500,000 7,500,000
BIRMINGHAM, Edge Apartments 10,810,000 10,810,000
BIRMINGHAM, The Brook 12,920,000 12,920,000
EXETER, Picturehouse Apartments 13,100,000 13,100,000
CARDIFF, Summit House 10,720,000 10,720,000
BRISTOL, College Green 11,410,000 11,410,000
RBS Portfolio 1 Total 68,070,000 12,600,000 80,670,000
RBS Portfolio 2
LANCASTER, City Block 1 2,020,000 2,020,000
LANCASTER, City Block 2 6,070,000 6,070,000
LANCASTER, City Block 3 8,410,000 8,410,000
LEICESTER, City Block 1 6,260,000 6,260,000
LEICESTER, City Block 2 5,230,000 5,230,000
DURHAM, St Margaret's Flats 5,590,000 5,590,000
RBS Portfolio 2 Total 33,580,000 0 33,580,000
Canada Life Portfolio
LEEDS, St Mark's Court 7,220,000 7,220,000
GLASGOW, Ballet School 11,740,000 11,740,000
CARDIFF, Northgate House 6,530,000 6,530,000
LONDON, Halsmere Studios 16,150,000 16,150,000
LEEDS, Algernon Firth 8,620,000 8,620,000
HATFIELD, Curzon Point 10,350,000 10,350,000
CARDIFF, Alwyn Court 3,940,000 3,940,000
EXETER, Dean Clarke Lofts 4,680,000 4,680,000
Canada Life Portfolio Total 54,200,000 15,030,000 69,230,000
Santander Portfolio
LIVERPOOL, Arts School 8,050,000 8,050,000
LIVERPOOL, Maple House 12,580,000 12,580,000
LIVERPOOL, Chatham Lodge 4,190,000 4,190,000
LIVERPOOL, Hayward House 5,460,000 5,460,000
LIVERPOOL, The Octagon 2,020,000 2,020,000
STOKE-on-TRENT, Caledonia Mill 5,870,000 5,870,000
LIVERPOOL, Grove Street Studios 2,600,000 2,600,000
Santander Portfolio Total 40,770,000 0 40,770,000
Other Operational Properties
EXETER, Library Lofts 7,720,000 7,720,000
FALMOUTH, Maritime Studios 11,030,000 11,030,000
GLASGOW, 333 Bath Street 8,050,000 8,050,000
PORTSMOUTH, The Registry 4,610,000 4,610,000
BATH, Widcombe Wharf 4,460,000 4,460,000
BATH, Piccadilly Place 4,260,000 4,260,000
BATH, Canal Bridge 1,830,000 1,830,000
ST ANDREWS, Ayton House 25,100,000 25,100,000
SOUTHAMPTON, Brunswick House
(50:50 JV)
10,115,000 10,115,000
HUDDERSFIELD, Kingsmill 9,230,000 9,230,000
Total Other Operational Properties 78,355,000 8,050,000 86,405,000
Total All Properties Held as
Investments
274,975,000 35,680,000 310,655,000
Properties in course of Development
Address Freehold * Long ** Short Total
£ Leasehold Leasehold £
£ £
Sites Held in Forward Funding Structures
SHEFFIELD, Portobello Road 4,220,000
NOTTINGHAM, The Frontage 9,520,000
HUDDERSFIELD, Oldgate House 4,730,000
BRISTOL, William & Matthew House 3,270,000
ABERDEEN, St Peter's Street 9,300,000
EDINBURGH, Buccleuch Street 8,940,000
EXETER, Bonhay Road 2,000,000
MANCHESTER, Baptist Church Site 1,000,000
Directly Owned Sites
GLASGOW, Willowbank (50:50 JV) 5,375,000
NOTTINGHAM, 95 Talbot Street 2,670,000
Total 51,025,000 0 51,025,000
Portfolio Total £326,000,000 £35,680,000 £361,680,000
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
Schedule of Market Values according to tenure
Tenure Freehold * Long ** Part Total
£ Leasehold Freehold/Part £
£ LLH
£
44 Freehold Properties 322,830,000 322,830,000
4 Long Leasehold Properties 34,490,000 34,490,000
1 Part Freehold Part Leasehold Property 4,360,000 4,360,000
Portfolio Totals (49 properties) 361,680,000

* more than 50 years unexpired

** 50 years or less unexpired

Scope of Work & Sources of Information

Introduction An Assumption is defined in the Red Book Glossary and Appendix 3
to be a "supposition taken to be true" (an "Assumption").
Assumptions are facts, conditions or situations affecting the subject
of, or approach to, a valuation that it has been agreed need not be
verified by the valuer as part of the valuation process. Assumptions
are made when it is reasonable for the valuer to accept that
something is true without the need for specific investigation.
The Company has confirmed and we confirm that our Assumptions
are correct as far as The Company and we, respectively, are aware.
In the event that any of these Assumptions prove to be incorrect then
our valuations should be reviewed. The principal Assumptions which
we have made are stated within this Valuation Report.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Assumptions made do not affect
compliance with the approach to Market Value under the Red Book.
Sources of Information We have carried out our work based upon
tenancy schedules
supplied to us by the Company, as set out within this report, which
we have assumed to be correct and comprehensive.
For the operational properties, we have been provided with the
stabilised costs based on the most recent budgets prepared by the
operators. The budgets were adjusted by the Company to account for
the mobilisation costs, capital expenditure (where is not part of an
operational budget) and inherited from vendors unusually high
expenditure relating to utilities, site costs, insurance and technology
costs.
These
costs
are
being
currently
lowered
through
efficient
management and contract renegotiations.
We have reviewed information relating to the current letting position
of each scheme for 2015/2016. For the development properties, we
have reviewed operational budgets where available and the 'cost
trackers' provided by the Company, which show the total
development costs, costs spent to date and costs outstanding as at
31 December 2015.
Title and other legal information reflected in our valuation was as
supplied to us by the Company's lawyers at the time of acquisition,
when CBRE Ltd has provided valuation advice, in each case.
The Properties Our report contains a brief summary of the property details on which
our valuation has been based.
Inspections We have internally and externally inspected all of the properties
between 2 April 2014 and 4 February 2016. The dates when each
of the properties was last inspected is listed on the Schedule at Part
II 'Property Details'.
Areas We have not measured the Properties but have relied upon the floor
areas provided. Where floor areas have been provided for the retail
units, these are either on a Gross Internal Basis or Net Internal Basis.
Environmental Matters We have not undertaken, nor are we aware of the content of, any
environmental audit or other environmental investigation or soil
survey which may have been carried out on the Properties and which
may draw attention to any contamination or the possibility of any
such contamination.
We have not carried out any investigations into the past or present
uses of the Properties, nor of any neighbouring land, in order to
establish whether there is any potential for contamination and have
therefore assumed that none exists.
Repair and Condition We have not carried out building surveys, tested services, made
independent site investigations, inspected woodwork, exposed parts
of the structure which were covered, unexposed or inaccessible, nor
arranged for any investigations to be carried out to determine
whether or not any deleterious or hazardous materials or techniques
have been used, or are present, in any part of the Properties. We are
unable, therefore, to give any assurance that the Properties are free
from defect.
During our inspection, no major defects or serious items of disrepair
were noted which would be likely to give rise to a substantial capital
expenditure in the foreseeable future or which fall outside the scope
of the normal annual maintenance programme. Our valuation is on
the basis that there were no defects, items of disrepair or other
matters that would materially affect our valuation at the Valuation
Date.
Town Planning We have not undertaken planning enquiries. We assume the
properties comply with all relevant statutory requirements including
fire and building regulations.
Titles, Tenures and Lettings Details of title/tenure under which the Properties are held and of
lettings to which they are subject are as supplied to us. We have not
generally examined nor had access to all the deeds, leases or other
documents relating thereto. Where information from deeds, leases or
other documents is recorded in this report, it represents our
understanding of the relevant documents. We should emphasise,
however, that the interpretation of the documents of title (including
relevant deeds, leases and planning consents) is the responsibility of
your legal adviser.
We have not conducted credit enquiries on the financial status of any
tenants. We have, however, reflected our general understanding of

purchasers' likely perceptions of the financial status of tenants.

Valuation Assumptions
Capital Values Each valuation has been prepared on the basis of "Market Value",
which is defined as:
"The estimated amount for which an asset or liability should
exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a
willing seller in an arm's-length transaction after proper marketing
and where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and
without compulsion."
The Properties have been valued in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Prospectus Rules issued by the Financial Conduct
Authority and the ESMA update of the CESR recommendations for the
consistent implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU)
No. 809/2204 implementing the Prospectus Directive.
The valuation represents the figure that would appear in a
hypothetical contract of sale at the Valuation Date. No adjustment
has been made to this figure for any expenses of acquisition or
realisation – nor for taxation which might arise in the event of a
disposal.
No account has been taken of any inter-company leases or
arrangements, nor of any mortgages, debentures or other charge.
No account has been taken of the availability or otherwise of capital
based Government or European Community grants.
Net Rental Income 2015/2016 The Net Rental Income for 2015/2016 represents the gross rental
income receivable from the property including term time and
estimated vacation income receivable from students, additional
income streams and income from commercial units, less the
annual running costs.
The nature of 'direct let' Student Accommodation properties is that
there is not one single lease document confirming the Net Rental
Income or running costs. Some amounts within the Net Rental
Income total need to be estimated or are budgets rather than
confirmed actual amounts. We have calculated the Net Rental
Income from source data provided to us by the Company, and
where appropriate we have relied upon cost budgets provided by
third party management companies. The Net Rental Income
2015/2016 therefore represents our best estimate of the Net
Rental Income receivable from the properties.
The Company has confirmed to us that the Net Rental Income
2015/2016 stated in the Schedule below is an accurate reflection
of the actual income receivable.
Rental Values 2016/2017 Rental values 2016/2017 indicated in our report are those which
have been adopted by us as appropriate in assessing the capital
value and are not necessarily appropriate for other purposes, nor do
they necessarily accord with the definition of Market Rent. Rental
Values for 2016/2017 are calculated in the same way to the Net

Rental Income 2015/2016 as set out above.

The Property Items of plant and machinery normally considered as landlord's
fixtures such as lifts, escalators, air conditioning, central heating and
other normal service installations have been treated as an integral
part of the building and are included within our valuation.
Furthermore, a number of items that normally might be regarded as
tenant's fixtures and fittings – such as trade appliances, furniture and
equipment – as well as soft goods considered necessary to generate
the turnover and profit, are included in our valuation of the Property.
The vacant possession valuation assumes that Properties are
available for sale including all fixtures and fittings. We understand
that fixtures, machinery and equipment are either owned, leased or
under contract. We have made no adjustment to reflect the net
present value of meeting any existing lease contracts in respect of the
equipment. Unless stated otherwise within this report, we have
assumed that any such leasing costs are reflected in the trading
figures supplied to us, and that all trade fixtures and fittings essential
to the running of the Property as an operational entity would be
capable of transfer as part of a sale of the building, and any
necessary third party consents obtained.
All measurements, areas and ages quoted in our report are
approximate.
Environmental Matters that: In the absence of any information to the contrary, we have assumed
(a) the Properties are not contaminated and are not adversely
affected by any existing or proposed environmental law;
(b) any processes which are carried out on the Properties which
are regulated by environmental legislation are properly
licensed by the appropriate authorities;
(c) the Properties possess current Energy Performance Certificates
(EPCs)
as
required
under
the
Government's
Energy
Performance of Buildings Directive, and that they have an
energy efficient standard of 'E', or better. We would draw your
attention to the fact that the Energy Act 2011 is due to come
into force in England and Wales no later than 1 April 2018
(although it may be earlier), and in Scotland, no earlier than
April 2015. From such date, it will be unlawful for landlords to
rent out a residential or business premise unless they
have reached a minimum energy efficient standard – most
likely, 'E' – or carried out the maximum package of measures
funded under the 'Green Deal' or the Energy Company
Obligation (ECO); and
(d) the Properties are either not subject to flooding risk or, if they
are, that sufficient flood defences are in place and that
appropriate building insurance could be obtained at a cost
that would not materially affect the capital value.
High voltage electrical supply equipment may exist within, or in close
proximity of, the Properties. The National Radiological Protection

Board (NRPB) has advised that there may be a risk, in specified circumstances, to the health of certain categories of people. Public

perception may, therefore, affect marketability and future value of the property. Our valuation reflects our current understanding of the market and we have not made a discount to reflect the presence of this equipment.

Repair and Condition In the absence of any information to the contrary, we have assumed that:

  • (a) there are no abnormal ground conditions, nor archaeological remains, present which might adversely affect the current or future occupation, development or value of the Properties;
  • (b) the Properties are free from rot, infestation, structural or latent defect;
  • (c) no currently known deleterious or hazardous materials or suspect techniques have been used in the construction of, or subsequent alterations or additions to, the Properties; and
  • (d) the services, and any associated controls or software, are in working order and free from defect.

We have otherwise had regard to the age and apparent general condition of the Properties. Comments made in the property details do not purport to express an opinion about, or advise upon, the condition of uninspected parts and should not be taken as making an implied representation or statement about such parts.

Unless stated otherwise within this report, and in the absence of any information to the contrary, we have assumed that:

  • (a) the Properties possess a good and marketable title free from any onerous or hampering restrictions or conditions;
  • (b) all buildings have been erected either prior to planning control, or in accordance with planning permissions, and have the benefit of permanent planning consents or existing use rights for their current use;
  • (c) the Properties are not adversely affected by town planning or road proposals;
  • (d) all buildings comply with all statutory and local authority requirements including building, fire and health and safety regulations;
  • (e) only minor or inconsequential costs will be incurred if any modifications or alterations are necessary in order for occupiers of each Property to comply with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;
  • (f) all rent reviews are upward only and are to be assessed by reference to full current market rents;
  • (g) there are no tenant's improvements that will materially affect our opinion of the rent that would be obtained on review or renewal;

Title, Tenure, Lettings, Planning, Taxation and Statutory & Local Authority requirements

  • (h) tenants will meet their obligations under their leases, and are responsible for insurance, payment of business rates, and all repairs, whether directly or by means of a service charge;
  • (i) there are no user restrictions or other restrictive covenants in leases which would adversely affect value;
  • (j) where more than 50 per cent. of the floorspace of a property is in residential use, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (the "Act") gives certain rights to defined residential tenants to acquire the freehold/head leasehold interest in the property. Where this is applicable, we have assumed that necessary notices have been given to the residential tenants under the provisions of the Act, and that such tenants have elected not to acquire the freehold/head leasehold interest. Disposal on the open market is therefore unrestricted;
  • (k) where appropriate, permission to assign the interest being valued herein would not be withheld by the landlord where required;
  • (l) vacant possession can be given of all accommodation which is unlet or is let on a service occupancy; and
  • (m) Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) or, in Scotland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LABTT) – will apply at the rate currently applicable.

Part II Property Details

Operational Properties CESR

Ref
No
Address Notes on Description and Location Tenure Age
(conversion No of
date)
Beds Total Net
Income
All Uses
2015/
2016
Total
Market
Rent
All Uses
2016/
2017
Total
Market
Values All
Uses
OPERATIONAL ASSETS
RBS Portfolio
1 SOUTHAMPTON, London Road
Apartments, 40A-42B London
Road,SO15 2AG
The scheme provides a 46-bedroom residence arranged in self-contained studios and twodios. The property occupies first to third
floors above two retail units (which are held under separate titles). The scheme was opened in 2012 offering 34 beds and in
2014 was extended to offer an additional 12 studios (8 studios and 2 twodios). Located in Southampton city centre, 0.5 miles
from the main shopping centre. Southampton Solent University and University of Southampton campuses are located 0.4 miles to
the south east and 1.9 miles to the north of the property, respectively. The property is in a very good location for students
attending Southampton Solvent University. The scheme is located close to Brunswick House, also owned by the Company. Date of
last inspection: 5 September 2014.
Part FH/Pt LH 2012 and 2014 46 £262,328 £264,514 £4,360,000
2 NOTTINGHAM, Talbot Studios,
116-120 Talbot Street, NG1
5GP
The property provides 98 self-contained studios located within a modern 4-6 storey building and adjacent Grade II listed
refurbished period three-storey building (10 studios) detached building. The buildings share a courtyard. The scheme was
completed in 2012. Located in Nottingham city centre close to amenities. The scheme is ideally located 0.3 miles from the main
Nottingham Trent City campus and 4.3 miles north east of Clifton campus. The main University of Nottingham campus is situated
1.9 miles to the south west of the scheme. The scheme located across the road from 95 Talbot Street, also owned by the
Company. Date of last inspection: 8 September 2014.
Freehold 2012 98 £583,537 £582,149 £9,850,000
3 ABERDEEN, Centro Court, 87
Loch Street, AB25 1DH
The property consists of a 5 storey purpose built student accommodation scheme which was completed in 2013. It has been
finished to a high specification and provides 56 self-contained studios as well as good quality communal space. Located in
Aberdeen city centre and close to the city's amenities and main retail parades on George Street and Union Street. The scheme is
located 1.5 miles south of the main University of Aberdeen campus and 3 miles north east of the Robert Gordon University
campus. Date of last inspection: 22 August 2014.
Freehold 2013 56 £426,095 £451,450 £7,500,000
4 BIRMINGAM, Edge Apartments,
520 Bristol Road, B29
The property reached Practical Completion in August 2014 and consists of a purpose built student accommodation scheme
providing 64 single studios and 13 en-suite rooms within cluster flats. There are two ground floor retail units, both are currently
let. The property is located in Selly Oak, 3 miles south of Birmingham city centre. The University of Birmingham's main campus is
located 400m to the north of the scheme. The surrounding area is dominated by the university and the property sits on Selly
Oak's high street providing amenities. The scheme is located close to The Brook, also owned by the Company. Date of last
inspection: 10 October 2014.
Freehold 2014 77 £644,142 £643,215 £10,810,000
5 BIRMINGHAM, The Brook,
536 Bristol Road, B29 6BD
A purpose built student accommodation scheme which was constructed in the mid-2000s. There are a total of 106 self-contained
studios. A ground floor retail unit has been sold off on a lease expiring on 11 October 3010 at a peppercorn rent. Located in Selly
Oak, 3 miles south of Birmingham city centre. The University of Birmingham's main campus is located 400m to the north of the
scheme. The surrounding area is dominated by the university and Selly Oak's high street providing amenities. The scheme is
located close to Edge Apartments, also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 8 July 2014.
Freehold mid-2000s 106 £556,372 £798,057 £12,920,000
6 EXETER, Picturehouse
Apartments, Sidwell Street,
EX4 6PL
A purpose built student accommodation scheme with a ground floor retail unit completed in 2014. The student accommodation
provides 74 studios and 28 en-suite bedrooms in cluster flats. The ground floor retail unit is fully let to Tesco Stores Ltd. Located
in Exeter city centre close to the main shopping district and amenities. The main University of Exeter campus is located 0.8 miles
north west of the property. The property is in a good location for student accommodation. Date of last inspection: 2 April 2014.
Freehold 2014 102 £776,435 £776,120 £13,100,000
7 CARDIFF, Summit House,
9-10 Windsor Place and
9 Park Place, CF10 3BS
A student accommodation scheme with a ground floor retail unit. The building was constructed in the 1970s and the upper floors
were converted to student accommodation in 2012. A new purpose built extension was also constructed to the rear. The student
accommodation provides 65 studios and 22 two bedroom apartments let directly to students. The ground floor retail unit is fully
let to a local tenant. Located in Cardiff city centre, close to amenities. Cardiff University campus is located 0.3 miles north west
and University of South Wales Cardiff campus is 0.5 miles south of the property. Cardiff Metropolitan University campus is 2.2
miles to the north west. The property is in a prime location for student accommodation. Date of last inspection: 29 September
2014.
Freehold 1970s
(2012)
87 £649,855 £643,765 £10,720,000
8 BRISTOL, 38A-43 College
Green, BS1 5SH
A student accommodation scheme with three ground floor retail units. Originally an office block constructed in the 1950s. The
upper floors were converted to student accommodation in 2011 to provide 48 two bedrooms and 36 single studios. The three
ground floor retail units are fully let to WM Morrison and two local tenants. The property is held on a 150 year ground lease
commencing 26 August 2010.Located within Bristol city centre, 0.6 miles south west of the main shopping centre and city centre.
The main Bristol University and University of West England campuses are situated 0.4 miles north and 4.5 miles north east of the
property, respectively. The property is in a prime location for student accommodation. Date of last inspection: 15 October 2014.
Leasehold 1950s
(2011)
84 £684,314 £699,506 £11,410,000
9 LANCASTER, Cityblock 1,
77-81 Penny Street, LA1 1XN
The property comprises a single block constructed in 2003. The property provides 30 ensuite bedrooms arranged over four upper
floors. There is a single retail unit at ground floor level which is currently vacant. The property is located in Lancaster city centre
alongside several restaurants and the main retail pitch. The University of Cumbria is located 0.6 miles south east of the property.
The University of Lancaster campus is located 2.5 miles south of the property. Date of last inspection: 13 February 2015.
Freehold 2003 30 £100,911 £107,586 £2,020,000
10 LANCASTER, Cityblock 2,
99-101 Penny Street, LA1 1XA
The property provides 52 en-suite cluster rooms and 25 studios. In addition the property provides two retail units fronting Penny
Street, both of them let. Located in Lancaster city centre adjacent to CityBlock 3 and close to amenities. The University of Cumbria
is located 0.5 miles south east of the property. The University of Lancaster campus is located 2.5 miles south of the property. The
property is marginally closer to the university campuses than CityBlock 1 but slightly further from the city centre. Date of last
inspection: 13 February 2015.
Freehold 2004 77 £427,024 £376,133 £6,070,000
11 LANCASTER, Cityblock 3,
102 Penny Street, LA1 1XN
A purpose built student accommodation scheme with a ground floor retail unit let to Sainsbury's.The accommodation is arranged
in cluster flats of 15 beds per flat on floors first, second and third floor whilst the fourth floor has cluster flat of 12 beds. In
addition there are 10 studio rooms. To the rear of the development there are four townhouses with six beds and one townhouse
with nine beds. Located in Lancaster city centre adjacent to CityBlock 2 and close to amenities. The University of Cumbria is
located 0.5 miles south east of the property. The University of Lancaster campus is located 2.5 miles south of the property. The
property is 100m south of CityBlock 1 and marginally closer the university by further from the city centre. Date of last inspection:
13 February 2015.
Freehold 2012 100 £536,813 £524,228 £8,410,000
12 LEICESTER, Cityblock 1,
21-24 Careys Close, LE15 1NS
CityBlock 1 comprises 91 en suite cluster bedrooms and 7 studios. It is arranged over ground and six upper floors. The properties
are situated side by side within Leicester city centre, close to the Highcross Shopping centre and amenities. The scheme is located
0.3 miles north of De Monfort University campus and 1 mile north west of the University of Leicester campus. Date of last
inspection: 13 February 2015.
Freehold 2009 98 £394,199 £391,839 £6,260,000
Total Net
Income
Total
Market
Rent
Total
Ref
No
Address Notes on Description and Location Tenure Age
(conversion No of
date)
Beds All Uses
2015/
2016
All Uses
2016/
2017
Market
Values All
Uses
OPERATIONAL ASSETS
RBS Portfolio
13 LEICESTER, Cityblock 2,
21-25 Carey Street, LE15 1NS
CityBlock 2 provides a total of 76 beds comprising 65 en-suite cluster bedrooms arranged over first to fifth floor. There is a nine
bedroom cluster flat at first floor and fourteen bed clusters at floors second to fifth. The sixth floor comprises 11 studios. There are
two retail units at ground floor level both with a frontage onto Peacock Street. Both units are let. The properties are situated side
by side within Leicester city centre, close to the Highcross Shopping centre and amenities. The scheme is located 0.3 miles north
of De Monfort University campus and 1 mile north west of the University of Leicester campus. Date of last inspection: 13 February
2015.
Freehold 2010 76 £281,592 £338,804 £5,230,000
14 DURHAM, St Margarets Flats,
Crossgate, DH1 4DS
Originally a purpose built scheme developed by the University. The property comprises non-en-suite rooms arranged mainly in five
bed cluster flats. Located in Durham city centre. Surrounding use is predominantly residential with many terraced houses occupied
by students. The main Durham University campus is located 0.9 miles south of the property. Several colleges are located between
0.6 miles and 1.1 miles to the east of the scheme. The property is in a good location for student accommodation. Date of last
inspection: 27 April 2015.
Freehold 1994 109 £421,413 £365,042 £5,590,000
Canada Life Portfolio
15 LEEDS, St Mark's Studios,
Shay Street, LS6 2QJ
A purpose built student housing scheme providing larger size studios only. No communal area. Located in Woodhouse, a residential
area popular with students, 0.9 miles north of Leeds city centre. The main University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University
campuses are located 0.3 and 0.6 miles south of the scheme, respectively. The main attractions, such as Trinity Leeds shopping
centre are located 1.1 miles to the south. Date of last inspection: 10 December 2014.
Freehold 2009 85 £367,829 £426,666 £7,220,000
16 GLASGOW, The Ballet School,
West Prince's Street, G4 9EE
Originally home to the Scottish Ballet, the property was converted in 2013. The scheme comprises three separate student
accommodation blocks around a landscaped central courtyard. All studios. Located in a well-established student area 1.0 mile
north west of Glasgow city centre. The University of Glasgow campus is located 0.4 miles west of the scheme. Glasgow
Caledonian University and the University of Strathclyde campuses are located slightly further from the scheme 1.0 and 1.4 miles
to the south east, respectively. The property is in a good location for the University of Glasgow students. The scheme is adjacent
to Willowbank. Date of last inspection: 8 January 2015.
Freehold early1900s
(2013)
103 £327,361 £751,001 £11,740,000
17 CARDIFF, Northgate House,
Kingsway, CF10 3FD
A student accommodation scheme with two retail units on the ground floor and the lower ground floor. Originally a 1970s office
block converted in 2014/2015. The scheme comprises 67 bedspaces (48 studios and 19 en-suite room in 3 and 4-bedroom
cluster flats). One retail unit on the ground floor is subject to a long lease at a peppercorn rent and the lower ground unit is let to
a local covenant.Located in the heart of Cardiff city centre overlooking Cardiff Castle, 60m from Queen Street, which is one of the
main shopping precincts. The scheme is well located for the main campus of the Cardiff University (0.2 miles) and University of
South Wales (0.6 miles). Cardiff Metropolitan University campus is 2.0 miles to the north west. The property is in a prime
location for student accommodation. Date of last inspection: 13 March 2015.
Freehold 1980s
(2014/2015)
67 £385,440 £390,907 £6,530,000
18 LONDON, Halsmere Studios,
Halsmere Road, SE5 9LN
The scheme comprises all studios within two detached buildings. Majority of studios were recently refurbished by the Company.
Located in Camberwell, south east London within the London Borough of Lambeth within a predominantly residential area. Several
London universities are easily accessible from the property; Kings College London, Denmark Hill campus is 1.0 mile to the south
east; University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Arts is 1.3 miles to the east; University of London, Goldsmiths
University of London is 3.6 miles to the south east; and London South Bank University is located 2.5 miles north. Central London
is located 3.7 miles from the scheme with the closest underground station, Oval, situated 1.0 mile from the property. Date of last
inspection: 16 December 2014.
Freehold 1930s and
2000s
79 £236,748 £889,443 £16,150,000
19 LEEDS, Algernon Firth,
Thornsby place, LS1 3EX
The building is considered to be one of the most remarkable inter-war buildings in Leeds. Grade II listed. Originally part of the
Infirmary the building was converted in 2014. It provides 26 studios and 85 en-suite room is cluster flats. Located in the city
centre and adjacent to Leeds General Infirmary. The University of Leeds School of Medicine is 0.4 miles from the property, on the
hospital site. The main campuses of University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University are located 0.4 miles to the north and north
east of the property. Date of last inspection: 10 December 2014.
Freehold 1930s
(2014)
111 £494,462 £505,297 £8,620,000
20 HATFIELD, Curzon Point,
The Common, Herts AL10 0LU
Purpose built with a retail unit on the ground floor which is let as a take away shop. Accommodation in two blocks providing 3
studios and 113 en-suite room in cluster flats. Located in Hatfield town centre close to its associated shops, restaurants, a large
supermarket and take away units. The University of Hertfordshire has two university campuses, both accessible by foot from the
scheme and located 0.7 and 0.9 miles from the property. The Galleria outlet shopping centre is located 0.5 miles to the west of
the property. Date of last inspection: 9 October 2014.
Leasehold 2013 116 £613,835 £615,493 £10,350,000
21 CARDIFF, Alwyn Court,
Cranbrook Street, CF24 4BF
The property comprises a student housing scheme of 51 bedspaces (24 studios and 27 beds in 3 and 4 bed cluster flats). The
property was new for September 2012. Located in Cathays, which is an area dominated by the Cardiff University, close to
amenities of the city centre. Cardiff University's main campus is ideally located 0.2 miles to the west of the property. The
University of South Wales is located 0.6 miles south of the property and Cardiff Metropolitan University is located 2.3 miles to the
north west. Date of last inspection: 13 March 2015.
Freehold 2012 51 £230,039 £237,065 £3,940,000
22 EXETER, Dean Clarke Lofts,
Southernhay Gardens, EX1 1PQ
Previously part of a hospital the building was converted in 2012 to provide 30 spacious studios and a ground floor restaurant, which
is let. Property is Grade II listed. The property is located towards the south of Exeter city centre close to Exeter Cathedral and the
main high street. The University of Exeter campus is 1.1 miles north of the property. Date of last inspection: 7 November 2014.
Leasehold 1742
(2012)
30 £304,542 £287,295 £4,680,000
Santander Portfolio
23 LIVERPOOL, Arts School Lofts,
2A Myrtle Street, L7 7DP
Previously part of an Art School the building is Grade II listed. It was converted to provide 64 bedspaces, including 60 studios.
There are two retail units, both are let, and ground floor offices which are currently unlet. Located in prime location for student
housing in Liverpool, on the edge of the Liverpool University campus. Liverpool John Moores University are situated 0.2 miles
north and north west of the scheme. Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is located 0.3 miles south west of the scheme and
Liverpool Hope University is located 3.5 miles to the east. The scheme is adjacent to Maple House, also owned by the Company.
Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 1888
(2012)
64 £520,904 £483,789 £8,050,000
24 LIVERPOOL, Maple House,
Caledonia Street, L7 7DX
Purpose built in 2012 to provide 9 studios and 138 en-suite rooms. There are three retail units, all let (Co-op convenience store,
Cafe Nero and Greggs). Located in prime location for student housing in Liverpool, on the edge of the Liverpool University campus.
Liverpool John Moores University are situated 0.2 miles north and north west of the scheme. Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
is located 0.3 miles south west of the scheme and Liverpool Hope University is located 3.5 miles to the east. The scheme is
adjacent to Arts School Lofts, also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 2012 147 £834,088 £780,325 £12,580,000
25 LIVERPOOL, Chatham Lodge 24
Myrtle Street, L7 7DP
Purpose built in 2010 to provide 50 beds, including 3 studios. One retail unit is let to Tesco Stores Ltd. Located in a prime
location for student housing in Liverpool, on the edge of the Liverpool University campus and in the south eastern edge of the city
centre. Liverpool John Moores University are situated 0.2 miles north and north west of the scheme. Liverpool Institute of
Performing Arts is located 0.3 miles south west of the scheme and Liverpool Hope University is located 3.5 miles to the east. The
scheme is located within a short walk from Maple House, owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 2010 50 £262,158 £269,046 £4,190,000
26 LIVERPOOL, Hayward House,
117 Grove Street, L7 7AD
Purpose built in 2013 comprising 74 bedspaces; 8 studios and 22 3-bed clusters. Located in a prime location for student housing
in Liverpool, on the edge of the Liverpool University campus and in the south eastern edge of the city centre. Liverpool John
Moores University are situated 0.2 miles north and north west of the scheme. Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is located 0.3
miles south west of the scheme and Liverpool Hope University is located 3.5 miles to the east. The property is adjacent to The
Octagon, also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 2013 74 £348,753 £338,714 £5,460,000
Ref
No
Address Notes on Description and Location Tenure Age
(conversion No of
date)
Beds Total Net
Income
All Uses
2015/
2016
Total
Market
Rent
All Uses
2016/
2017
Total
Market
Values All
Uses
OPERATIONAL ASSETS
27 LIVERPOOL, The Octagon, 117
Grove Street, L7 7AD
A Grade II listed building converted in 2013 into 17 studios and one 2-bedroom flat. Located in a prime location for student
housing in Liverpool, on the edge of the Liverpool University campus and in the south eastern edge of the city centre. Liverpool
John Moores University are situated 0.2 miles north and north west of the scheme. Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is located
0.3 miles south west of the scheme and Liverpool Hope University is located 3.5 miles to the east. The property is adjacent to
Hayward House, also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 1880s
(2013)
19 £133,650 £127,536 £2,020,000
28 STOKE-ON-TRENT, Caledonia
Mills, Caledonia Road, ST4 2DN
The scheme comprises 6 studios and 114 en-suite rooms in cluster flats. There is a central courtyard. Located 1.0 mile north of
Stoke city centre in a mainly residential area. The main University of Staffordshire Stoke campus is 0.5 miles south east of the
property and the University of Keele campus is 3.5 miles to the west. The Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley is 1.2 miles north
of the scheme. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold 2011 120 £422,315 £375,386 £5,870,000
29 LIVERPOOL, Grove Street
Studios, Grove Street, L7 7BA
A 1960s residential block converted into a student housing in 2011. Comprises 20 studios and four 2-bed flats (non-en-suite
rooms). Planning permission in place to extend for an additional 12 bedspaces. The property is located on the south eastern edge
of the city centre, known as Edgehill, 1.2 miles from the main shopping centre and city centre attractions. The University of
Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University are situated 0.3 miles north and 0.6 miles north west of the scheme, respectively.
Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is located 0.6 miles west of the scheme and Liverpool Hope University is located 3.2 miles
to the east. The scheme is located a short walk from The Octagon and Hayward House. Date of last inspection: 30 April 2015.
Freehold mid-1960s
(2011)
28 £179,626 £166,514 £2,600,000
Other Assets Portfolio
30 EXETER, Library Lofts, Castle
Street, EX4 3PU
A former Exeter City Library built in 1931, it was converted in 2015 to provide 61 bedspaces; 27 studios and 17 2-bedroom
flats. There is a ground floor office currently let to a local covenant. Located in Exeter city centre, close to Exeter Castle and 110m
from the main high street and associated retail and leisure amenities. The University of Exeter is 0.7 miles north of the scheme.
The property is in a prime location for student accommodation in Exeter. Date of last inspection: 27 April 2015.
Freehold 1930
(2015)
61 £456,296 £482,118 £7,720,000
31 FALMOUTH, Maritime
Studios,Penndenis Rise,
TR11 4FB
A purpose built six-storey building provides 146 studios. Nine studios were sold off on long leases to private investors. All studios
have balconies. Attractive communal area with sea views. The property is located 0.7 miles east of Falmouth town centre and its
amenities. The scheme is adjacent to Falmouth Dock train station which provides direct connection to the Penryn Campus located
4.0 miles to the north west. The Falmouth University Woodlane campus is located 1.0 mile. Date of last inspection: 23 July 2015.
Freehold 2008 137 £559,484 £701,829 £11,030,000
32 GLASGOW, 333 Bath Street,
G2 4E4
A former office building converted into student housing in 2015. It provides 70 studios. Located between the West End and city
centre of Glasgow. The scheme is located between the various universities in Glasgow; the University of Glasgow is located 1.0
mile to the north west and Glasgow School of Art, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University and the
University of Strathclyde are located 0.2 miles, 0.5 miles, 0.8 miles and 0.9 miles to the east, respectively. George Square and
the main Buchanan Shopping Centre are located 0.8 miles east of the property. Date of last inspection: 15 May 2015.
Leasehold 1980s
(2015)
70 £333,509 £521,433 £8,050,000
33 PORTSMOUTH, The Registry,
St Michael Road, PO1 2EE
A former Land Registry building converted into a student housing scheme in 2015. It provides 41 studios. Located in the city
centre, within the main University of Portsmouth campus and surrounded by university buildings. The property is in a prime
location for student accommodation in Portsmouth. The scheme is 0.6 miles to the east of Gunwharf Quays Designer Outlet and
associated amenities. Date of last inspection: 15 June 2015.
Freehold late-1800s
(2015)
41 £295,958 £296,349 £4,610,000
34 BATH, Widcombe Wharf,
Widcombe Hill, BA2 6AA
Constructed in 2014 the scheme provides 5 flats of 8 en-suite rooms. The ground floor retail unit was sold off on a long leasehold
at peppercorn. Located close to the city centre and 0.4 miles from the main shopping district. The University of Bath is located
1.2 miles to the east of the property and Bath Spa University is located 4.2 miles to the west. The property is in a good location
for student accommodation. The scheme is adjacent to Canal Bridge student accommodation scheme also owned by the Company.
Date of last inspection: 7 September 2015.
Freehold 2014 40 £217,574 £254,400 £4,460,000
35 BATH, Piccadilly Place,
London Road, BA1 6PL
The scheme provides 47 bedspaces in 11 cluster flats of non-en-suite rooms. Located to the north of Bath city centre, 1.2 miles
from the main shopping district. The University of Bath is located 1.7 miles to the south east of the scheme and Bath Spa
University is located 4.7 miles to the west. The scheme is located very close to Norland College. Date of last inspection:
7 September 2015.
Freehold 2012 47 £240,706 £250,980 £4,260,000
36 BATH, Canal Bridge, Widcombe
Wharf, BA2 6AA
Constructed in 2012 it provides 20 beds in 5 shared bathroom cluster flats. Located in Bath city centre, 0.4 miles from the main
shopping district. The property is adjacent to Widcombe Wharf student accommodation scheme also owned by the Company. The
University of Bath is located 1.2 miles to the east of the property and Bath Spa University is located 4.7 miles to the west. The
property is in a good location for student accommodation in Bath. Date of last inspection: 7 September 2015.
Freehold 2012 20 £91,719 £106,800 £1,830,000
37 ST ANDREWS, Ayton House,
Abbey Walk, KY16 9BF
The scheme provides 127 studios and 114 en-suite rooms.The property is located to the south east of St Andrews town centre,
0.3 miles from the main retail and leisure amenities. The coast and beach are located 0.2 miles to the east. The University of St
Andrews is located 0.5 miles to the north of the property. Date of last inspection: 2 December 2015.
Freehold 2015 241 £1,453,764 £1,414,493 £25,100,000
38 SOUTHAMPTON, Brunswick
House, Brunswick Place,
SO15 2AP (JV)
Originally a 13 storey 1970s office block with four retail units on the ground floor. Converted in 2015 it provides 140 studios
and 33 en-suite rooms in 15 cluster flats.One retail unit is let to a local tenant, remaining three are vacant on the market to let.
Addtionally, there is a telecom income from Cable & Wireless. Located in Southampton city centre, 0.3 miles north of the main
shopping centre and amenities. Southampton Solent University is located 0.2 miles to the south east of the scheme and the main
University of Southampton campus is located 2.0 miles to the north. The property is in a prime student accommodation location
for Southampton Solent University students. The scheme located close to London Road Apartments student accommodation
scheme owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 16 May 2014.
Freehold 1980s
(2015)
173 £1,026,487 £1,231,201 £10,115,000
39 HUDDERSFIELD, Kingsmill
Studios, King's Mill Lane,
HD13AU
The scheme was purpose built in 2015 and comprises 98 bedspaces in 90 studios and four 2-bed apartments. Located to the
south east of the city centre, 0.4 miles from the main retail pitch. The scheme is located 0.2 miles to the south of the University
of Huddersfield campus. The property is in a prime location for student accommodation in Huddersfield. Date of last inspection:
3 February 2016.
Freehold 2015 98 £574,799 £578,696 £9,230,000
Sub Total
(Operational Assets)
3,218 £17,657,078 £19,445,184 £310,655,000
Ref
No
Address Notes on Description and Location Tenure Age
(conversion No of
Total Net
Income
All Uses
2015/
Total
Market
Rent
All Uses
2016/
Total
Market
Values All
date) Beds 2016 2017 Uses
SITES HELD IN FORWARD
FUNDING STRUCTURES
Date of PC
(age, if
conversion)
40 SHEFFIELD, 145-147 Portobello
Street, S1 4DX
A former office building is being developed to provide 134 studios. Located in the north west of Sheffield city centre and close to
amenities. The property is located opposite the University of Sheffield campus and 0.5 miles east of the Students' Union.
Sheffield Hallam University's City campus is located 0.6 miles south east of the scheme. The property is in a prime location for
student accommodation in Sheffield. Date of last inspection: 13 April 2015.
Freehold 2016
(1980s)
134 N/A £790,575 £4,220,000
41 NOTTINGHAM, The Frontage,
Queen Street,NG1 2BL
Previously an 1980s office building behind a listed facade with three leisure/retaurant units, which are all let. A student housing
scheme will provide 142 studios and 10 twodios. Extensive communal areas on the lower ground floor. Located in the very heart
of Nottingham city centre, adjacent to Old Market Square. Nottingham Trent University City campus is located around the city
centre, with the main buildings located 0.1 miles to the north of the property. The property is in a prime location for student
accommodation in Nottingham. The property is also located in a good retail pitch. Date of last inspection: 7 July 2015.
Freehold 2016
(1980s behind
a listed 1890s
façade)
162 N/A £1,271,333 £9,520,000
42 HUDDERSFIELD, Oldgate
House, 2 Oldgate, HD16QF
A former office building is being converted into a student housing scheme providing 179 studios. Located in the very centre of
Huddersfield town centre, 75 m from the main shopping centre. The University of Huddersfield campus is 0.3 miles to the south
of the scheme. Date of last inspection: 15 May 2015.
Freehold 2016
(1970s)
179 N/A £893,183 £4,730,000
43 BRISTOL, William & Matthew
House, Colston Street, BS1 5AE
Two adjacent former office buildings (one Grade II Listed) are being converted into a Student housing scheme providing 66 studios
and 3 three-bedroom cluster flats. Located in the Bristol city centre, 0.3 miles from the main shopping centre, restaurants and
leisure facilities. The University of Bristol campus is situated 0.2 miles to the north west of the property. The property is in a prime
location for student accommodation in Bristol. The scheme is located close to College Green student accommodation scheme also
owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 20 April 2015.
Freehold 2016
(1900s and
1980s)
75 N/A £545,581 £3,270,000
44 ABERDEEN, Spital Court
Studios, St Peter's Street,
AB24 3HU
The Student housing scheme will provide 123 studios. Located to the north of Aberdeen city centre and 0.7 miles from the city
centre amenities. The University of Aberdeen is located 0.5 miles to the north of the scheme. Date of last inspection: 15 April
2015.
Freehold 2016 123 N/A £944,415 £9,300,000
45 EDINBURGH, former Odeon
Cinema Site, Buccleuch Street,
EH8 9JH
The scheme will provide 66 studios and 20 en-suite rooms. Located to the south of Edinburgh city centre, on the edge of the
University of Edinburgh campus. The property is in a prime location for student accommodation in Edinburgh. Date of last
inspection: 20 June 2015.
Freehold 2016 86 N/A £674,968 £8,940,000
46 EXETER, Bonhay Road,
EX4 4GB
A site to be cleared. Current planning permission for a development of 139 bedspaces in townhouses and en-suites. The Company
is applying for a revised consent based on a new scheme of 140 bedspaces. Located north of Exeter city centre 0.7 miles from
the main restaurant, retail and leisure offering. The University of Exeter is located 0.7 miles north east of the property. Date of
last inspection: 4 February 2016.
Freehold 2017 139 N/A £763,574 £2,000,000
47 MANCHESTER, Welsh Baptist
Chapel, Upper Brook Street,
M13 9AJ
A development will comprise 93 studios within the shell of the existing Grade II* listed chapel and in a new building. Located to
the south of Manchester city centre (1.0 mile). The scheme is in the prime location, opposite the main University of Manchester
campus. Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester Metropolitan University campuses are 0.3 miles and 0.4 miles from the
property, respectively. Date of last inspection: 22 January 2016.
Freehold 2017
(1830s)
93 N/A £647,819 £1,000,000
DIRECTLY OWNED SITES
48 GLASGOW, Willowbank,
Willowbank Crescent, G3 6NB
(JV)
A development of a student housing within a Grade C listed period building and new built buildings. The scheme will comprise
178 bedspaces; 121 studios and 57 en-suite rooms. Located to the north west of Glasgow city centre, 1.2 miles from the
Buchanan Galleries shopping centre and George Square. The University of Glasgow is located 0.5 miles to the west of the scheme.
Glasgow School of Art, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Strathclyde are located
0.5 miles, 0.9 miles, 1.2 miles and 1.5 miles to the east of the property, respectively. The scheme is adjacent to The Ballet
School student accommodation scheme also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 20 June 2014.
Freehold 2016
(c1900)
178 N/A £1,162,221 £5,375,000
49 NOTTINGHAM, 95 Talbot
Street, NG1 5GN
A development of a cleared site to provide 48 studios, 29 en-suite rooms in cluster flats and two retail units. Located to the west
of Nottingham city centre (0.4 miles). The scheme is 0.3 miles from the main Nottingham Trent City campus and 4.1 miles north
east of Clifton campus. The main University of Nottingham campus is situated 1.9 miles to the south west of the scheme. The
property is in a very good location for students at Nottingham Trent University. The scheme is located across the road from Talbot
Studios which is also owned by the Company. Date of last inspection: 10 February 2015.
Freehold 2016 77 N/A £443,173 £2,670,000
Sub Total (Properties in
course of development)
1,246 £0 £8,136,842 £51,025,000
Total All Properties 4,469 £17,657,078 £27,852,027 £361,680,000

PART 7

REIT STATUS AND TAXATION

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Principal advantage of REIT status

The principal advantage of REIT status is that the Group will be exempt from UK corporation tax on both rental profits and chargeable gains on disposals of properties held by the Property Rental Business. This will remove the effective double tax charge currently suffered by many investors in UK companies (see paragraph 2.1 of this Part 7 for more information).

1.2 Principal disadvantages of REIT status

The principal disadvantages of REIT status are as follows:

  • 1.2.1 in order for it to remain a REIT, the Group and the Company will have to comply with the various tests outlined in paragraph 2.2 of this Part 7 on an on-going basis; and
  • 1.2.2 withholding tax of 20 per cent. must be deducted from certain distributions made to certain Shareholders (see paragraph 3 of this Part 7 for further details).

Overall, the Board believes that the advantage of REIT status outweighs the disadvantages

1.3 Dividend policy under REIT regime

The Group will have to meet a minimum distribution test for each accounting period that it is a REIT. This minimum distribution test requires the Company to distribute 90 per cent. of the income profits (broadly, calculated using normal UK tax rules) of the Property Rental Business for each accounting period. The Board believes that the Company's dividend policy will enable the Group to meet this minimum distribution requirement.

1.4 The Substantial Shareholder rule

Under the REIT Regime, a tax charge may be levied on the Group if the Company makes a distribution to a Substantial Shareholder, unless the Company has taken "reasonable steps" to avoid such a distribution being paid. This tax charge may be imposed only if, after joining the REIT regime, the Company pays a dividend in respect of a Substantial Shareholding and the dividend is paid to a person who is a Substantial Shareholder. The charge is not triggered merely because a Shareholder is a Substantial Shareholder, or if the person beneficially entitled to the dividend is a Substantial Shareholder. The amount of the charge is calculated by reference to the whole dividend paid to the Substantial Shareholder, and not just that part of the dividend attributable to Shares held by the Substantial Shareholder in excess of 10 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.

A summary of the Articles is set out at paragraph 7 of Part 8 and the relevant provisions intended to give the Board the powers it needs to demonstrate to HMRC that "reasonable steps" have been taken to avoid making distributions to Substantial Shareholders are set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Part 7.

1.5 Non-close company condition

As mentioned below in paragraph 1.6 of this Part 7, the Company must not be a close company other than only by virtue of having as a participator an institutional investor. An institutional investor includes the trustee or manager of an authorised unit trust (or overseas equivalent) or a pension scheme, an insurance company, a charity, a limited partnership, a registered social landlord or an open-ended investment company. However the Company may be close for tax purposes for up to three years after joining the regime. If the non-close company requirement is not met at the start of the first day after the end of the first three-year period, the Group will lose its REIT status at the end of the three-year period. If the non-close company requirement is not met at any time after the first day following the first three-year period, the Group will cease to be a REIT at the end of the accounting period preceding the accounting period in which the breach began or, if later, the end of the first three-year period. Loss of REIT status would have a material impact on the Group because of the loss of tax benefits conferred by the REIT regime.

Although the Board does not expect the close company condition to be breached in the ordinary course of events, there is a risk that the Company may fail to meet this condition for reasons beyond its control. However, under certain circumstances a breach of this condition may be disregarded if the reason for the breach is because the Company becomes a member of another group REIT or if the breach is the result of anything done (or not done) by a person other than the Company and the Company remedies the breach before the end of the accounting period after that in which the breach began.

1.6 Exit from the REIT regime

The Company can give notice to HMRC at any time that it wants the Group to leave the REIT regime. The Board retains the right to decide to exit the REIT regime at any time in the future without the consent of Shareholders if it considers this to be in the best interests of the Group and the Shareholders.

If the Group voluntarily leaves the REIT regime within ten years of joining and disposes of any property or other asset that was involved in its qualifying Property Rental Business within two years of leaving, any uplift in the base cost of any property held by the Group as a result of the deemed disposal on entry into the REIT regime, movement into the ringfence or exit from the REIT regime would be disregarded in calculating the gain or loss on the disposal. It is important to note that the Company cannot guarantee continued compliance with all of the REIT conditions and that the REIT regime may cease to apply in some circumstances. HMRC may require the Group to exit the REIT regime if:

  • 1.6.1 it regards a breach of the conditions (including failure to satisfy the conditions relating to the Property Rental Business), or an attempt by the Group to avoid tax, as sufficiently serious;
  • 1.6.2 the Company or the Group has committed a certain number of breaches of the conditions within a specified period; or
  • 1.6.3 HMRC has given members of the Group two or more notices in relation to the avoidance of tax by the Company within a ten year period.

The Group may lose its status as a REIT from the first day of joining the REIT regime if during the first accounting period certain conditions have not been met. In such circumstances the REIT status may not apply for the whole period.

In addition, the Group would automatically lose REIT status if any of the following were to occur:

  • 1.6.4 the conditions for REIT status relating to the share capital of the Company and the prohibition on entering into loans with abnormal returns are breached;
  • 1.6.5 the Company ceases to be UK resident for tax purposes;
  • 1.6.6 the Company becomes dual resident for tax purposes; or
  • 1.6.7 the Company becomes an open-ended company.

Future changes in legislation may cause the Group to lose its REIT status.

If the Group is required to leave the REIT regime within 10 years of joining, HMRC has wide powers to direct how the Group should be taxed, including in relation to the date on which the Group is treated as exiting the REIT regime.

Shareholders should note that it is possible that the Group could lose its status as a REIT as a result of actions by third parties (for example, if the Company is taken over by a company that is not itself a REIT).

2. THE REIT REGIME

The following paragraphs are intended as a general guide only and constitute a high-level summary of the Company's understanding of current UK law and HMRC practice, each of which is subject to change. They do not constitute advice.

2.1 Overview

The REIT regime is intended to encourage greater investment in the UK property market and follows similar legislation in other European countries, as well as the long-established regime in the United States.

Investing in property through a corporate investment vehicle (such as a UK company) has the disadvantage that, in comparison to a direct investment in property assets, some categories of shareholders (but not most UK companies) effectively suffer tax twice on the same income: first, indirectly, when the vehicle pays UK direct tax on its profits; and secondly, directly (but with the benefit of a tax credit), when the shareholder receives a dividend. Non-tax paying entities, such as UK pension funds, suffer tax indirectly when investing through a corporate vehicle that is not a REIT in a manner they do not suffer if they invest directly in the property assets.

Provided certain conditions and tests are satisfied (see "Qualification as a REIT" below), REITs will not pay UK corporation tax on the profits of their Property Rental Business. Instead, distributions in respect of the Property Rental Business will be treated for UK tax purposes as property income in the hands of shareholders. However, UK corporation tax will still be payable in the normal way in respect of income and gains from any Residual Business (generally including any property trading business) not included in the Property Rental Business.

While within the REIT regime, the Property Rental Business will be treated as a separate business for UK corporation tax purposes to the Residual Business, and a loss incurred by the Property Rental Business cannot be set off against profits of the Residual Business (and vice versa).

A REIT will be required to distribute to its shareholders (by way of a dividend in cash or by way of an issue of share capital in lieu of a cash dividend), on or before the filing date for the REIT's tax return for the accounting period in question, at least 90 per cent. of the income profits (calculated using normal tax rules) of the Property Rental Business arising in each accounting period. Where a stock dividend has been issued and a market value of the stock dividend has had to be used which causes the distribution requirement not to be met, an extended time limit of up to six months beginning with the filing date applies for complying with the distribution requirement. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a UK corporation tax charge calculated by reference to the extent of the failure, although this charge can be avoided if an additional dividend is paid within a specified period which brings the amount of profits distributed up to the required level.

In this Registration Document, references to a company's accounting period are to its accounting period for tax purposes. This period can differ from a company's accounting period for other purposes.

Subject to certain exceptions, PIDs will be subject to withholding tax at the basic rate of income tax (currently 20 per cent.). Further details of the UK tax treatment of Shareholders after entry into the REIT regime are contained in paragraph 3 of this Part 7.

2.2 Qualification as a REIT

A group becomes a REIT by serving notice on HMRC on or before the date from which it wishes to come under the REIT regime. In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company and the Group must satisfy certain conditions set out in Part 12 of CTA 2010. A non-exhaustive summary of the material conditions is set out below. Broadly, the Company and the Group must satisfy the conditions set out in paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 below.

2.2.1 Company conditions

The principal company of a REIT must be a solely UK tax-resident company whose ordinary shares are admitted to trading on a recognised stock exchange, which includes the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, the principal company of a REIT must not be an open-ended investment company. After the first 3 year period, the principal company of a REIT must also not be a close company for UK tax purposes other than by virtue of having as a participator an institutional investor. Broadly, a close company, is a UK resident company controlled by five or fewer participants, or by participants who are directors. A participant is a person having a share or interest in the income or capital of a company. An institutional investor includes the trustee or manager of an authorised unit trust (or overseas equivalent) or a pension scheme, an insurance company, a charity, a limited partnership, a registered social landlord or an open-ended investment company.

2.2.2 Share capital restrictions

The principal company of a REIT must have only one class of ordinary shares in issue and the only other shares it may issue are particular types of non-voting restricted preference shares.

2.2.3 Interest restrictions

The principal company of a REIT must not be party to any loan in respect of which the lender is entitled to interest which exceeds a reasonable commercial return on the consideration lent or where the interest depends to any extent on the results of any of its business or on the value of any of its assets. A loan is not treated as carrying results-dependant interest by reason only that the terms of the loan provide for interest to reduce if the results improve or to increase if the results deteriorate. In addition, the amount repayable must either not exceed the amount lent or must be reasonably comparable with the amount generally repayable (in respect of an equal amount lent) under the terms of issue of securities listed on a recognised stock exchange.

2.2.4 Conditions for the Property Rental Business

The Property Rental Business must satisfy the conditions summarised below in respect of each accounting period during which it is to be treated as a REIT:

  • the Property Rental Business must, throughout the accounting period, involve at least three properties. A self-contained studio flat or a one to three bedroom flat within a residential block counts as a single property for these purposes;
  • throughout the accounting period, no one property may represent more than 40 per cent. of the total value of all the properties involved in the Property Rental Business. Assets must be valued in accordance with IFRS, and at fair value when IFRS offers a choice between a cost basis and a fair value basis;
  • at least 90 per cent. of the amounts shown in the financial statements of the group as income profits (broadly, calculated using normal tax rules) must be distributed to shareholders of the REIT in the form of a PID on or before the filing date for the REIT's tax return for the accounting period (the "90 per cent. distribution test"). For the purpose of satisfying the 90 per cent. distribution test, any dividend withheld in order to comply with the rule relating to Substantial Shareholders (as described in paragraph 2.3.2 below) will be treated as having been paid. The issue of stock dividends will count towards the 90 per cent. threshold;
  • the income profits arising from the qualifying Property Rental Business must represent at least 75 per cent. of the company's total profits for the accounting period (the "75 per cent. profits test"). Profits for this purpose means profits before deduction of tax and excludes realised and unrealised gains and losses (for example, gains and losses on the disposal of property, and gains and losses on the revaluation of properties) calculated in accordance with IFRS; and
  • at the beginning of the accounting period the value of the assets in the Property Rental Business must represent at least 75 per cent. of the total value of assets held by the group (the "75 per cent. assets test"). Cash held on deposit and gilts may be added to the value of assets relating to qualifying Property Rental Business for the purpose of meeting the 75 per cent. assets test. Non-cash assets must be valued in accordance with IFRS and at fair value where IFRS offers a choice of valuation between cost basis and fair value. In applying this test, no account is to be taken of liabilities secured against or otherwise relating to assets (whether generally or specifically).

2.2.5 Investment in other REITs

Any distribution of profits or gains of the Property Rental Business by the principal company of a group UK REIT received by another REIT are treated as tax exempt profits of the Property Rental Business of the investing REIT. The investing REIT would be required to distribute 100 per cent. of such distributions to its shareholders. For the purposes of the 75 per cent. assets test, the investment by a REIT in the shares of another REIT will be included as an asset of the investing REIT's Property Rental Business.

2.3 Effect of becoming a REIT

2.3.1 Tax savings

As a REIT, a group will not pay UK corporation tax on profits and gains from the Property Rental Business. UK corporation tax will still apply in the normal way in respect of the Residual Business which includes certain trading activities, incidental letting in relation to property trades and letting of administrative property which is temporarily surplus to requirements.

A REIT would also continue to pay indirect taxes such as VAT, stamp duty land tax and stamp duty and payroll taxes (such as national insurance) in the normal way.

2.3.2 The Substantial Shareholder rule

A REIT will become subject to an additional tax charge if it pays a dividend to, or in respect of, a Substantial Shareholder. The additional tax charge will be calculated by reference to the whole dividend paid to a Substantial Shareholder, and not just by reference to the proportion which exceeds the 10 per cent. threshold. It should be noted that this restriction only applies to shareholders that are bodies corporate and to certain entities which are deemed to be bodies corporate for tax purposes in accordance with the law of an overseas jurisdiction with which the UK has a double taxation agreement or in accordance with such a double taxation agreement. It does not apply to nominees.

This tax charge will not be incurred if the REIT has taken "reasonable steps" to avoid paying dividends to such a shareholder. HMRC guidance describes certain actions that a REIT may take to show it has taken such "reasonable steps". One of these actions is to include restrictive provisions in the REIT's articles of association to address this requirement. The Articles of Association are consistent with such provisions.

2.3.3 Dividends

When a REIT pays a dividend (including a stock dividend), that dividend will be a PID to the extent necessary to satisfy the 90 per cent. distribution test. If the dividend exceeds the amount required to satisfy that test, the REIT may determine that all or part of the balance is a Non-PID Dividend paid out of the profits of the activities of the Residual Business. Any remaining balance of the dividend (or other distribution) will be deemed to be a PID: firstly, in respect of the income profits out of which a PID can be paid and which have not been distributed in full; and secondly, a PID paid out of certain chargeable gains which are exempt from tax by virtue of the REIT regime. Any remaining balance will be attributed to any other profits.

2.3.4 Interest cover ratio

A tax charge will arise if, in respect of any accounting period, the ratio of the Group's income profits (before capital allowances) in respect of its Property Rental Business to the financing costs incurred in respect of the Property Rental Business is less than 1.25. The ratio is based on the cost of debt finance taking into account interest, amortisation of discounts or premiums and the financing expense implicit in payments made under finance leases. The corporation tax charge is capped at a maximum of 20 per cent. of the profits of the Property Rental Business for the accounting period in question.

2.3.5 Certain tax avoidance arrangements

If HMRC believes that a member of a REIT has been involved in certain tax avoidance arrangements, it may cancel the tax advantage obtained and, in addition, impose a tax charge equal to the amount of the tax advantage. These rules apply to both the Residual Business and the Property Rental Business.

2.3.6 Movement of assets in and out of the Property Rental Business

In general, where an asset owned by a REIT and used for the Property Rental Business begins to be used for the Residual Business, there will be a tax-free step up in the base cost of the property. Where an asset used for the Residual Business begins to be used for the Property Rental Business, this will generally constitute a taxable market value disposal of the asset, except for capital allowances purposes. Special rules apply to disposals by way of a trade and of development property.

2.3.7 Joint ventures

If a REIT is beneficially entitled to at least 40 per cent. of the profits available for distribution to equity holders in a joint venture company and at least 40 per cent. of the assets of the joint venture company available to equity holders in the event of a winding-up, that joint venture company is carrying on a qualifying property rental business which satisfies the 75 per cent. profits test and the 75 per cent. assets test (the "JV company") and certain other conditions are satisfied, the REIT may, by giving notice to HMRC, elect for the relevant proportion of the assets and income of the JV company to be included in the Property Rental Business for tax purposes. In such circumstances, the income and assets of the JV company will count towards the 90 per cent. distribution test, the 75 per cent. profits test and the 75 per cent. assets test to the extent of a REIT's interest in the JV company. Note that these rules also apply to joint venture groups.

2.3.8 Acquisitions and takeovers

If a REIT is taken over by another REIT, the acquired REIT does not necessarily cease to be a REIT and will, provided the conditions are met, continue to enjoy tax exemptions in respect of the profits of its Property Rental Business and chargeable gains on disposal of properties in the Property Rental Business.

The position is different where a REIT is taken over by an acquirer which is not a REIT. In these circumstances, the acquired REIT is likely in most cases to fail to meet the requirements for being a REIT and will therefore be treated as leaving the REIT regime at the end of its accounting period preceding the takeover and ceasing from the end of this accounting period to benefit from tax exemptions on the profits of its Property Rental Business and chargeable gains on disposal of property forming part of its Property Rental Business. The properties in the Property Rental Business are treated as having been sold and reacquired at market value for the purposes of UK corporation tax on chargeable gains immediately before the end of the preceding accounting period. These disposals should be tax-free as they are deemed to have been made at a time when the company was still in the REIT regime and future chargeable gains on the relevant assets will, therefore, be calculated by reference to a base cost equivalent to this market value. If the company ends its accounting period immediately prior to the takeover becoming unconditional in all respects, dividends paid as PIDs before that date should not be recharacterised retrospectively as normal dividends.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE REIT PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLES

3.1 Introduction

The Articles contain provisions designed to enable the Company to demonstrate to HMRC that it has taken "reasonable steps" to avoid paying a dividend (or making any other distribution) to any Substantial Shareholder.

If a distribution is paid to a Substantial Shareholder and the Company has not taken reasonable steps to avoid doing so, the Company would become subject to a UK corporation tax charge.

The Articles contain special articles for this purpose (the "Special Articles"). The text of the Special Articles is set out in paragraph 5 of this Part 7.

The Special Articles:

  • provide directors with powers to identify its Substantial Shareholders (if any);
  • prohibit the payment of dividends on Shares that form part of a Substantial Shareholding, unless certain conditions are met;
  • allow dividends to be paid on Shares that form part of a Substantial Shareholding where the Shareholder has disposed of its rights to dividends on its Shares; and
  • seek to ensure that if a dividend is paid on Shares that form part of a Substantial Shareholding and arrangements of the kind referred to in the preceding paragraph are not met, the Substantial Shareholder concerned does not become beneficially entitled to that dividend.

The effect of the Special Articles is explained in more detail below.

3.2 Identification of Substantial Shareholders

The share register of the Company records the legal owner and the number of Shares they own but does not identify the persons who are beneficial owners of the Shares or are entitled to control the voting rights attached to the Shares or are beneficially entitled to dividends. While the requirements for the notification of interests in shares provided in Part VI of the Companies Act and the Board's rights to require disclosure of such interests (pursuant to Part 22 of the Companies Act and article 4 of the Articles) should assist in the identification of Substantial Shareholders, those provisions are not on their own sufficient.

Accordingly, the Special Articles require a Substantial Shareholder and any registered Shareholder holding Shares on behalf of a Substantial Shareholder to notify the Company if his Shares form part of a Substantial Shareholding. Such a notice must be given within two business days. The Special Articles give the Board the right to require any person to provide information in relation to any Shares in order to determine whether the Shares form part of a Substantial Shareholding. If the required information is not provided within the time specified (which is seven days after a request is made or such other period as the Board may decide), the Board is entitled to impose sanctions, including withholding dividends (as described in paragraph 4.3 below) and/or requiring the transfer of the Shares to another person who is not, and does not thereby become, a Substantial Shareholder (as described in paragraph 3.6 below).

3.3 Preventing payment of a dividend to a Substantial Shareholder

The Special Articles provide that a dividend will not be paid on any Shares that the Board believes may form part of a Substantial Shareholding unless the Board is satisfied that the Substantial Shareholder is not beneficially entitled to the dividend.

If in these circumstances payment of a dividend is withheld, the dividend will be paid subsequently if the Board is satisfied that:

  • the Substantial Shareholder concerned is not beneficially entitled to the dividends (see also paragraph 3.4 below);
  • the shareholding is not part of a Substantial Shareholding;
  • all or some of the Shares and the right to the dividend have been transferred to a person who is not, and does not thereby become, a Substantial Shareholder (in which case the dividends will be paid to the transferee); or
  • sufficient Shares have been transferred (together with the right to the dividends) such that the Shares retained are no longer part of a Substantial Shareholding (in which case the dividends will be paid on the retained Shares).

For this purpose references to the "transfer" of a Share include the disposal (by any means) of beneficial ownership of, control of voting rights in respect of and beneficial entitlement to dividends in respect of, that Share.

3.4 Payment of a dividend where rights to it have been transferred

The Special Articles provide that dividends may be paid on Shares that form part of a Substantial Shareholding if the Board is satisfied that the right to the dividend has been transferred to a person who is not, and does not thereby become, a Substantial Shareholder and the Board may be satisfied that the right to the dividend has been transferred if it receives a certificate containing appropriate confirmations and assurances from the Substantial Shareholder. Such a certificate may apply to a particular dividend or to all future dividends in respect of Shares forming part of a specified Substantial Shareholding, until notice rescinding the certificate is received by the Company. A certificate that deals with future dividends will include undertakings by the person providing the certificate:

  • to ensure that the entitlement to future dividends will be disposed of; and
  • to inform the Company immediately of any circumstances which would render the certificate no longer accurate.

The Directors may require that any such certificate is copied or provided to such persons as they may determine, including HMRC.

If the Board believes a certificate given in these circumstances is or has become inaccurate, then it will be able to withhold payment of future dividends (as described in paragraph 3 above). In addition, the Board may require a Substantial Shareholder to pay to the Company the amount of any tax payable (and other costs incurred) as a result of a dividend having been paid to a Substantial Shareholder in reliance on the inaccurate certificate. The Board may require a sale of the relevant Shares and retain the amount claimed from the proceeds.

Certificates provided in the circumstances described above will be of considerable importance to the Company in determining whether dividends can be paid. If the Company suffers loss as a result of any misrepresentation or breach of undertaking given in such a certificate, it may seek to recover damages directly from the person who has provided it. Any such tax may also be recovered out of dividends to which the Substantial Shareholder concerned may become entitled in the future.

The effect of these provisions is that there is no restriction on a person becoming or remaining a Substantial Shareholder provided that the person who does so makes appropriate arrangements to divest itself of the entitlement to dividends.

3.5 Trust arrangements where rights to dividends have not been disposed of by Substantial Shareholder

The Special Articles provide that if a dividend is in fact paid on Shares forming part of a Substantial Shareholding (which might occur, for example, if a Substantial Shareholding is split among a number of nominees and is not notified to the Company prior to a dividend payment date) the dividends so paid are to be held on trust by the recipient for any person (who is not a Substantial Shareholder) nominated by the Substantial Shareholder concerned. The person nominated as the beneficiary could be the purchaser of the Shares if the Substantial Shareholder is in the process of selling down their holding so as not to cause the Company to breach the Substantial Shareholder rule. If the Substantial Shareholder does not nominate anyone within 12 years, the dividend concerned will be held on trust for the Company or such charity as the Board may nominate.

If the recipient of the dividend passes it on to another without being aware that the Shares in respect of which the dividend was paid were part of a Substantial Shareholding, the recipient will have no liability as a result. However, the Substantial Shareholder who receives the dividend should do so subject to the terms of the trust and as a result may not claim to be beneficially entitled to those dividends.

3.6 Mandatory sale of Substantial Shareholdings

The Special Articles also allow the Board to require the disposal of Shares forming part of a Substantial Shareholding if:

  • a Substantial Shareholder has been identified and a dividend has been announced or declared and the Board has not been satisfied that the Substantial Shareholder has transferred the right to the dividend (or otherwise is not beneficially entitled to it);
  • there has been a failure to provide information requested by the Board; or
  • any information provided by any person proves materially inaccurate or misleading.

In these circumstances, if the Company incurs a charge to tax as a result of one of these events, the Board may, instead of requiring the Shareholder to dispose of the Shares, arrange for the sale of the relevant Shares and for the Company to retain from the sale proceeds an amount equal to any tax so payable.

3.7 Takeovers

The Special Articles do not prevent a person from acquiring control of the Company through a takeover or otherwise, although as explained above, such an event may cause the Company to cease to qualify as a REIT.

3.8 Other

The Special Articles also give the Company power to require any Shareholder who applies to be paid dividends without any tax withheld to provide such certificate as the Board may require to establish the Shareholder's entitlement to that treatment.

The Special Articles may be amended by special resolution passed by the Shareholders in the future, including to give powers to the Directors to ensure that the Company can comply with the close company condition described in paragraph 2.2.1 of this Part 7, which powers may include the ability to arrange for the sale of Shares on behalf of Shareholders.

4. THE SPECIAL ARTICLES

The following sets out in full the Special Articles (being Articles 3 to 8) contained in the Company's Articles:

"REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

3. CARDINAL PRINCIPLE

  • 3.1 It is a cardinal principle that, for so long as the Company qualifies as a REIT or is the principal company of a group REIT for the purposes of Part 12 of the CTA 2010, it should not be liable to pay tax under Section 551 of the CTA 2010 on or in connection with the making of a Distribution.
  • 3.2 Articles 4 to 8 support such cardinal principle by, among other things, imposing restrictions and obligations on the members and, indirectly, certain other persons who may have an interest in the Company, and shall be construed accordingly so as to give effect to such cardinal principle.

4. NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDER AND OTHER STATUS

  • 4.1 Each member and any other relevant person shall serve notice in writing on the Company at the Office on:
  • 4.1.1 him becoming a Substantial Shareholder (together with the percentage of voting rights, share capital or dividends he controls or is beneficially entitled to, details of the identity of the member(s) who hold(s) the relevant Substantial Shareholding and such other information, certificates or declarations as the Directors may require from time to time);
  • 4.1.2 him becoming a Relevant Registered Shareholder (together with such details of the relevant Substantial Shareholder and such other information, certificates or declarations as the Directors may require from time to time); and
  • 4.1.3 any change to the particulars contained in any such notice, including on the relevant person ceasing to be a Substantial Shareholder or a Relevant Registered Shareholder.

Any such notice shall be delivered by the end of the second Business Day after the day on which the person becomes a Substantial Shareholder or a Relevant Registered Shareholder or the change in relevant particulars or within such shorter or longer period as the Directors may specify from time to time.

4.2 The Directors may at any time give notice in writing to any person requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice (being seven days from the date of service of the notice or such shorter or longer period as the Directors may specify in the notice), to deliver to the Company at the Office such information, certificates and declarations as the Directors may require to establish whether or not he is a Substantial Shareholder or a Relevant Registered Shareholder or to comply with any Reporting Obligation. Each such person shall deliver such information, certificates and declarations within the period specified in such notice.

5. DISTRIBUTIONS IN RESPECT OF SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

  • 5.1 In respect of any Distribution, the Directors may, if the Directors determine that the condition set out in Article 5.2 is satisfied in relation to any Shares, withhold payment of such Distribution on or in respect of such Shares. Any Distribution so withheld shall be paid as provided in Article 5.3 and until such payment the persons who would otherwise be entitled to the Distribution shall have no right to the Distribution or its payment.
  • 5.2 The condition referred to in Article 5.1 is that, in relation to any Shares and any Distribution to be paid or made on and in respect of such Shares:
  • 5.2.1 the Directors believe that such Shares comprise all or part of a Substantial Shareholding of a Substantial Shareholder; and
  • 5.2.2 the Directors are not satisfied that such Substantial Shareholder would not be beneficially entitled to the Distribution if it was paid, and, for the avoidance of doubt, if the Shares comprise all or part of a Substantial Shareholding in respect of more than one Substantial Shareholder this condition is not satisfied unless it is satisfied in respect of all such Substantial Shareholders.
  • 5.3 If a Distribution has been withheld on or in respect of any Shares in accordance with Article 5.1, it shall be paid as follows:
  • 5.3.1 if it is established to the satisfaction of the Directors that the condition in Article 5.2 is not satisfied in relation to such Shares, in which case the whole amount of the Distribution withheld shall be paid; and
  • 5.3.2 if the Directors are satisfied that sufficient interests in all or some of the Shares concerned have been transferred to a third party so that such transferred Shares no longer form part of the Substantial Shareholding, in which case the Distribution attributable to such Shares shall be paid (provided the Directors are satisfied that following such transfer such Shares concerned do not form part of a Substantial Shareholding); and
  • 5.3.3 if the Directors are satisfied that as a result of a transfer of interests in Shares referred to in Article 5.3.2 above the remaining Shares no longer form part of a Substantial Shareholding, in which case the Distribution attributable to such Shares shall be paid.

In this Article 5.3, references to the "transfer" of a Share include the disposal (by any means) of beneficial ownership of, control of voting rights in respect of and beneficial entitlement to dividends in respect of, that Share.

5.4 A Substantial Shareholder may satisfy the Directors that he is not beneficially entitled to a Distribution by providing a Distribution Transfer Certificate. The Directors shall be entitled to (but shall not be bound to) accept a Distribution Transfer Certificate as evidence of the matters therein stated and the Directors shall be entitled to require such other information, certifications or declarations as they think fit.

  • 5.5 The Directors may withhold payment of a Distribution on or in respect of any Shares if any notice given by the Directors pursuant to Article 5.2 in relation to such Shares shall not have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Directors within the period specified in such notice. Any Distribution so withheld will be paid when the notice is complied with to the satisfaction of the Directors unless the Directors withhold payment pursuant to Article 5.1 and until such payment the persons who would otherwise be entitled to the Distribution shall have no right to the Distribution or its payment.
  • 5.6 If the Directors decide that payment of a Distribution should be withheld under Article 5.1 or Article 5.5, they shall within seven Business Days give notice in writing of that decision to the Relevant Registered Shareholder. If any Distribution shall be paid on a Substantial Shareholding and an Excess Charge becomes payable, the Substantial Shareholder shall pay the amount of such Excess Charge and all costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the recovery of such amount to the Company on demand by the Company. Without prejudice to the right of the Company to claim such amount from the Substantial Shareholder, such recovery may be made out of the proceeds of any disposal pursuant to Article 7.2 or out of any subsequent Distribution in respect of the Shares to such person or to the members of all Shares in relation to or by virtue of which the Directors believe that person has an interest in the Company (whether that person is at that time a Substantial Shareholder or not).

6. DISTRIBUTION TRUST

  • 6.1 If a Distribution is paid in respect of a Substantial Shareholding in circumstances where the Substantial Shareholder is not beneficially entitled to the Distribution, the Distribution and any income arising from it shall be held by the payee or other recipient to whom the Distribution is transferred by the payee on trust absolutely for the persons nominated by the relevant Substantial Shareholder under Article 6.2 in such proportions as the relevant Substantial Shareholder shall in the nomination direct, subject to and in default of such nomination being validly made within 12 years after the date the Distribution is made, for the Company or for such charity as may be nominated by the Directors from time to time.
  • 6.2 The relevant Substantial Shareholder of Shares in respect of which a Distribution is paid shall be entitled to nominate in writing any two or more persons (not being Substantial Shareholders) to be the beneficiaries of the trust on which the Distribution is held under Article 6.1 and the Substantial Shareholder may in any such nomination state the proportions in which the Distribution is to be held on trust for the nominated persons, failing which the Distribution shall be held on trust for the nominated persons in equal proportions. No person may be nominated under this Article 6.2 who is or would, on becoming a beneficiary in accordance with the nomination, become a Substantial Shareholder. If the Substantial Shareholder making the nomination is not by virtue of Article 6.1 the trustee of the trust, the nomination shall not take effect until it is delivered to the person who is the trustee.
  • 6.3 Any income arising from a Distribution which is held on trust under Article 6.1 shall until the earlier of (i) the making of a valid nomination under Article 6.2 and (ii) the expiry of the period of 12 years from the date when the Distribution is paid, be accumulated as an accretion to the Distribution. Income shall be treated as arising when payable, so that no apportionment shall take place.
  • 6.4 No person who by virtue of Article 6.1 holds a Distribution on trust shall be under any obligation to invest the Distribution or to deposit it in an interest-bearing account.
  • 6.5 No person who by virtue of Article 6.1 holds a Distribution on trust shall be liable for any breach of trust unless due to his own wilful fraud or wrongdoing or, in the case of an incorporated person, the fraud or wilful wrongdoing of its directors, officers or employees.

7. OBLIGATION TO DISPOSE

  • 7.1 If at any time, the Directors believe that:
  • 7.1.1 in respect of any Distribution declared or announced, the condition set out in Article 5.2 is satisfied in respect of any Shares in relation to that Distribution; or
  • 7.1.2 a notice given by the Directors pursuant to Article 4.2 in relation to any Shares has not been complied with to the satisfaction of the Directors within the period specified in such notice; or
  • 7.1.3 any information, certificate or declaration provided by a person in relation to any Shares for the purposes of this Article 7.1 was materially inaccurate or misleading,

the Directors may give notice in writing (a "Disposal Notice") to any persons they believe are Relevant Registered Shareholders in respect of the relevant Shares requiring such Relevant Registered Shareholders within 21 days of the date of service of the notice (or such longer or shorter time as the Directors consider to be appropriate in the circumstances) to dispose of such number of Shares the Directors may in such notice specify or to take such other steps as will cause the condition set out in Article 5.2 no longer to be satisfied. The Directors may, if they think fit, withdraw a Disposal Notice.

  • 7.2 If:
  • 7.2.1 the requirements of a Disposal Notice are not complied with to the satisfaction of the Directors within the period specified in the relevant notice and the relevant Disposal Notice is not withdrawn; or
  • 7.2.2 a Distribution is paid on a Substantial Shareholding and an Excess Charge becomes payable,

the Directors may arrange for the Company to sell all or some of the Shares to which the Disposal Notice relates or, as the case may be, that form part of the Substantial Shareholding concerned. For this purpose, the Directors may make such arrangements as they deem appropriate. In particular, without limitation, they may authorise any officer or employee of the Company to execute any transfer or other document on behalf of the holder or holders of the relevant Share and, in the case of Shares in uncertificated form, may make such arrangements as they think fit on behalf of the relevant holder or holders to transfer title to the relevant Share through a relevant system.

  • 7.3 Any sale pursuant to Article 7.2 above shall be at the price which the Directors consider is the best price reasonably obtainable and the Directors shall not be liable to the holder or holders of the relevant Share for any alleged deficiency in the amount of the sale proceeds or any other matter relating to the sale.
  • 7.4 The net proceeds of the sale of any Share under Article 7.2 (less any amount to be retained pursuant to Article 5.5 and the expenses of sale) shall be paid over by the Company to the former holder or holders of the relevant Share upon surrender of any certificate or other evidence of title relating to it, without interest. The receipt of the Company shall be a good discharge for the purchase money.
  • 7.5 The title of any transferee of Shares shall not be affected by an irregularity or invalidity of any actions purportedly taken pursuant to this Article 7.

8. GENERAL

  • 8.1 The Directors shall be entitled to presume without enquiry, unless any Director has reason to believe otherwise, that a person is not a Substantial Shareholder or a Relevant Registered Shareholder.
  • 8.2 The Directors shall not be required to give any reasons for any decision or determination (including any decision or determination not to take action in respect of a particular person) pursuant to Articles 3 to 8 and any such determination or decision shall be final and binding on all persons unless and until it is revoked or changed by the Directors. Any disposal or transfer made or other thing done by or on behalf of the Board or any Director pursuant to Articles 3 to 8 shall be binding on all persons and shall not be open to challenge on any ground whatsoever.
  • 8.3 Without limiting their liability to the Company, the Directors shall be under no liability to any other person, and the Company shall be under no liability to any member or any other person, for identifying or failing to identify any person as a Substantial Shareholder or a Relevant Registered Shareholder.
  • 8.4 The Directors shall not be obliged to serve any notice required under Articles 3 to 8 upon any person if they do not know either his identity or his address. The absence of service of such a notice in such circumstances or any accidental error in or failure to give any notice to any person upon whom notice is required to be served under Articles 3 to 8 shall not prevent the implementation of or invalidate any procedure under Articles 3 to 8.
  • 8.5 The provisions of Articles 161 to 166 shall apply to the service upon any person of any notice required by Articles 3 to 8. Any notice required by Articles 3 to 8 to be served upon a person who is not a member or upon a person who is a member but whose address is not within the United Kingdom shall be deemed validly served if such notice is sent through the post in a pre-paid cover addressed to that person or member at the address if any, at which the Directors believe him to be resident or carrying on business or, in the case of a holder of depository receipts or similar securities, to the address, if any, in the register of holders of the relevant securities. Service shall, in such a case be deemed to be effected on the day of posting and it shall be sufficient proof of service if that notice was properly addressed, stamped and posted.
  • 8.6 Any notice required or permitted to be given pursuant to Articles 3 to 8 may relate to more than one Share and shall specify the Share or Shares to which it relates.
  • 8.7 The Directors may require from time to time any person who is or claims to be a person to whom a Distribution may be paid without deduction of tax under Regulation 7 of the Real Estate Investment Trusts (Assessment and Recovery of Tax) Regulations 2006 to provide such certificates or declarations as they may require from time to time.
  • 8.8 Any of Articles 3 to 8 may be amended by special resolution from time to time, including to give powers to the Directors to take such steps as they may require in order to ensure that the Company can satisfy Condition D of Section 528 of the CTA 2010 which relates to close company status, which powers may include the ability to arrange for the sale of Shares on behalf of members.
  • 8.9 Where any certificate or declaration may be or is required to be provided by any person (including, without limitation, a Distribution Transfer Certificate) pursuant to any of Articles 3 to 8, such certificate or declaration may be required by the Directors (without limitation):

  • 8.9.1 to be addressed to the Company, the Directors or such other persons as the Directors may determine (including HMRC);

  • 8.9.2 to include such information as the Directors consider is required for the Company to comply with any Reporting Obligation;
  • 8.9.3 to contain such legally binding representations and obligations as the Directors may determine;
  • 8.9.4 to include an undertaking to notify the Company if the information in the certificate or declaration becomes incorrect, including prior to such change;
  • 8.9.5 to be copied or provided to such persons as the Directors may determine (including HMRC); and
  • 8.9.6 to be executed in such form (including as a deed or deed poll) as the Directors may determine.

The provisions of Articles 3 to 8 shall apply notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any other Article (including, without limitation, Articles 147 to 159)."

PART 8

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. THE COMPANY

  • 1.1 The Company was incorporated in England and Wales on 11 February 2014 with registered number 08886906 as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act. The Company was incorporated with the name London Cornwall Student REIT plc and on 21 March 2014 changed its name to Empiric Student Property plc. The Company has an indefinite life.
  • 1.2 The principal place of business and the registered office of the Company is 6-8 James Street, London W1U 1ED with telephone number +44 (0)20 3772 2780.
  • 1.3 The principal legislation under which the Company operates is the Companies Act. The Company is not regulated as a collective investment scheme by the FCA. However, the Shares are admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market. The Company and Shareholders are subject to the Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules and the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules.
  • 1.4 The Company's accounting period ends on 30 June of each year. The current accounting period will end on 30 June 2016. The annual report and accounts are prepared in Sterling according to the accounting standards laid out under IFRS and in accordance with EPRA's best practice recommendations.
  • 1.5 On 30 April 2014, the Company was granted a certificate under Section 761 of the Companies Act entitling it to commence business and to exercise its borrowing powers.
  • 1.6 The Company has given notice to the Registrar of Companies of its intention to carry on business as an investment company pursuant to Section 833 of the Companies Act.
  • 1.7 As at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Registration Document), the Company had 20 employees (including the Executive Directors). Details of the Company's interests in real property are contained in Part 2 of this Registration Document.

2. THE GROUP

2.1 The Company is the holding company of the Group and has the following subsidiaries:

Name Principal activity Proportion of
ownership
interest %
Empiric Investments (One) Limited Intermediate holding company 100
Empiric (Edge Apartments) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (College Green) Limited
Empiric (Picturehouse Apartments)
Property holding company 100(1)
Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Summit House) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Buccleuch Street) Limited
Empiric (Buccleuch Street) Leasing
Property holding company 100
Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (St Peter Street) Limited Property holding company 100
Proportion of
ownership
Name Principal activity interest %
Empiric (St Peter Street) Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Birmingham) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (London Road) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Talbot Studios) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Centro Court) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Alwyn Court) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Northgate House) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Snow Island) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Huddersfield Snow Island)
Leasing Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Claremont Newcastle) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Newcastle Metrovick) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Exeter DCL) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Exeter LL) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Hatfield CP) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Leeds Algernon) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (London Camberwell) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Leeds St Marks) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Glasgow Ballet School) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Nottingham 95 Talbot) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Nottingham 95 Talbot Leasing
Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Leeds St Marks) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric Investment Holdings (Two) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric Investments (Two) Limited Intermediate holding company 100
Empiric (Durham St Margarets) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric Investment Holdings (Three)
Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric Investments (Three) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow Bath St) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric Investments (Four) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric Investment Holdings (Four) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 1) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 2) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Lancaster Penny Street 3) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Leicester Peacock Lane) Limited Property holding company 100(1)
Empiric (Bristol) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Bristol) Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Framwellgate Durham) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Framwellgate Durham) Leasing
Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Baptists Chapel) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Baptists Chapel) Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Portobello House) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Portobello House) Leasing Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Huddersfield Oldgate House)
Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Huddersfield Oldgate House)
Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric Acquisitions Limited Intermediate holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow Otago Street) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Proportion of
ownership
Name Principal activity interest %
Glasgow (Otago Lane) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow Otago Street) Leasing
100(4)
Limited Property leasing company
Empiric (Stirling Forthside) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Stirling Forthside) Leasing Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Bath James House) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Spring Roscoe Limited Property holding company 100(5)
Grove St Studios Ltd Property holding company 100(5)
Empiric (Bath JSW) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Portsmouth Registry) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Nottingham Frontage) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Nottingham Frontage) Leasing
Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Falmouth Maritime Studios)
Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Exeter Bonhay Road) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Exeter Bonhay Road) Leasing
Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Portsmouth Europa House) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Portsmouth Europa House)
Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100(4)
Empiric (Sheffield Provincial House) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Sheffield Provincial House)
Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Sheffield Trippet Lane) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Sheffield Trippet Lane) Leasing
Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow George St) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow George St) Leasing
Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Cardiff Wndsr House) Limited Property holding company 100(2)
Empiric (Cardiff Wndsr House) Leasing
100(2)
Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Bath Piccadilly Place) Limited Property holding company
Empiric (Bath Canalside) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Glasgow George Square) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Glasgow George Square)
Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100
Empiric (Liverpool Art School/Maple
House) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Stoke Caledonia Mill) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Chatham Lodge) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Grove Street) Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (Liverpool Octagon/Hayward)
Limited Property holding company 100(4)
Empiric (York George Hudson) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (York George Hudson) Leasing
Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric (Manchester Ladybarn) Limited Property holding company 100(3)
Empiric (Oxford Stonemason) Limited Property holding company 100(3)
Proportion of
ownership
Name Principal activity interest %
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House)
Limited Intermediate holding company 100(3)
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House)
Luxembourg S.à r.l Property holding company 100(3)
Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House)
Leasing Limited Property leasing company 100(3)
Empiric (York Lawrence Street) Limited Property holding company 100
Empiric Student Property Trustees
Limited Trustee of the EBT 100
Empiric (Developments) Limited Development management
company 100
Hello Student Management Limited Letting management company 100
  • (1) held by Empiric Investments (One) Limited
  • (2) held by Empiric Investments (Two) Limited
  • (3) held by Empiric Investments (Three) Limited
  • (4) held by Empiric Investments (Four) Limited
  • (5) held by Empiric Acquisitions Limited

All of the above companies are incorporated in England and Wales with the exception of Empiric (St Andrews Ayton House) Luxembourg S.àr.l which is incorporated in Luxembourg.

In addition, the Company has interests in the following joint venture companies. The remaining 50 per cent. of the shares in each company are held by KH II Estates 117 Limited, a company advised by Revcap.

Proportion of
ownership
Principal activity interest %
Joint venture development
company 50
Property leasing company 50(6)
Property contracting company 50(6)
Joint venture development
company 50
Property leasing company 50(7)

(6) held by Empiric (Southampton) Limited in which the Company has a 50 per cent. ownership interest. (7) held by Empiric (Glasgow) Limited in which the Company has a 50 per cent. ownership interest.

2.2 The Board intends that further companies and intermediate holding companies will be set up to hold any additional properties which may be acquired by the Group.

3. SHARE CAPITAL

3.1 The Company's share capital: (i) as at the date of this Registration Document, and (ii) as it will be immediately following Initial Admission (assuming 83.7 million Shares are issued in the Initial Issue) is as follows:

Shares
Aggregate
nominal
Number value (£)
As at the date of this Registration Document 385,000,001 3,850,000.01
Immediately following Initial Admission 468,700,001 4,687,000.01
  • 3.2 On incorporation on 11 February 2014, one Share was issued at £1.00 (fully paid) for the purposes of incorporation to Paul Hadaway as the subscriber to the Company's memorandum of association.
  • 3.3 The following changes in the share capital of the Company have taken place between 11 February 2014 and the date of this Registration Document:
  • (a) on 29 April 2014, 50,000 restricted shares of £1.00 each in aggregate were issued at par (fully paid) to Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway (25,000 restricted shares to each);
  • (b) on 30 June 2014, 85,000,000 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at an issue price of £1.00 per Share;
  • (c) on 30 June 2014, the 50,000 restricted shares were redeemed out of the proceeds of a placing and offer for subscription at par value and cancelled;
  • (d) on 24 November 2014, 65,000,000 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at an issue price of £1.01 per Share (being the first tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme);
  • (e) on 17 March 2015, 82,926,829 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.025 per Share (being the second tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme);
  • (f) on 27 July 2015, 70,921,985 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.0575 per Share (being the third tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme); and
  • (g) on 27 October 2015, 81,151,186 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.065 per Share (being the final tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme).
  • 3.4 On 4 November 2015, resolutions of the Company were passed at the annual general meeting for the following purposes:
  • (a) that the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot Shares in

the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, Shares in the Company ("Rights"):

  • (i) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,002,701.00; and
  • (ii) allot equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the Act), up to a further aggregate nominal amount of £2,005,402.00 in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue to:
  • (A) Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings; and
  • (B) holders of other equity securities, if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the Directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities,

but subject to such exclusions and other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary or appropriate in relation to fractional entitlements, record dates, treasury shares or any legal, regulatory or practical problems under the law of any territory (including the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange) or any other matter; and

such authority to expire (unless previously revoked by the Company) on the earlier of 15 months from the date of the annual general meeting at which the resolution is passed and the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company and in each case the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require Shares to be allotted or Rights to be granted after the authority has expired and the Directors may allot Shares or grant Rights in pursuance of any such offer or agreement notwithstanding that the authority has expired; and all previous authorities to allot Shares or grant Rights, to the extent unused, shall be revoked.

  • (b) that subject to the passing of the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above, the Directors shall have the power to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act) for cash under the authority referred to in the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power shall be limited to:
  • (i) the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer or issue of equity securities (but in the case of the authority granted under paragraph (ii) of the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above, by way of a rights issue only) to or in favour of:
    • (A) Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings; and
    • (B) holders of other equity securities, if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the Directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities,

but subject to such exclusions and other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary or appropriate in relation to fractional entitlements, record dates, treasury shares or any legal, regulatory or practical problems under the law of any territory (including the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange) or any other matter; and

(ii) the allotment of equity securities (otherwise than under paragraph (i) of the resolution summarised in this paragraph (b)) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £303,848.00

this power shall expire when the authority given by the resolution above is revoked or expires but the Company may before expiry of this power make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement notwithstanding that the power had expired; and the power applies in relation to a sale of treasury shares which constitutes an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Act.

  • (c) that, the Company be and it is hereby, generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of sections 693 and 701 of the Act to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of Shares upon such terms and in such manner as the Directors shall determine, provided that:
  • (i) the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorised to be purchased is 45,546,937;
  • (ii) the minimum price which may be paid for such Shares is £0.01 per Share (exclusive of expenses);
  • (iii) the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share cannot be more than an amount equal to the higher of:
    • (A) 105 per cent of the average of the closing middle market price for a Share as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business day immediately prior to the day the purchase is made; and
    • (B) the higher of the price of the last independent trade of a Share as derived from the trading venue or venues where the purchase is carried out;

unless previously renewed, varied or revoked, the authority conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2016 or 15 months from the date of the resolution, whichever is earlier,

the Company may make a contract or contracts to purchase Shares under the above authority prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority and may make a purchase of Shares in pursuance of any such contract or contracts.

  • (d) that, a general meeting of the Company other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
  • 3.5 On 17 March 2016 resolutions of the Company will be considered at the General Meeting for the following purposes:
  • (a) that, the Directors are generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot up to 165 Shares in connection with the Share Issuance Programme, such authority to

expire on 17 March 2017 (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting), save that the Company may, at any time prior to the expiry of such authority, make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require the allotment of Shares in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if such authority had not expired.

  • (b) that, conditionally upon the passing of the resolution referred to in paragraph 3.5(a) above, the Directors are generally empowered (pursuant to section 570 of the Act) to allot Shares for cash pursuant to the resolution referred to in paragraph 3.5(a) above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power to expire on 17 March 2017 (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting), save that the Company may, at any time prior to the expiry of such power, make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require Shares to be allotted after the expiry of such power and the Directors may allot Shares in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if such power had not expired.
  • 3.6 Save as disclosed in this paragraph 3, no share or loan capital of the Company has since the date of incorporation of the Company been issued or been agreed to be issued, fully or partly paid, either for cash or for a consideration other than cash, and, save for the Share Issuance Programme no such issue is now proposed. No shares in the capital of the Company are held by or on behalf of the Company.
  • 3.7 Save as set out in paragraph 4 of this Part 8, the Company has not granted any options over its share or loan capital which remain outstanding and has not agreed, conditionally or unconditionally to grant any such options and no convertible securities, exchangeable securities or securities with warrants have been issued by the Company.
  • 3.8 All of the Shares are in registered form and are eligible for settlement in CREST. Temporary documents of title will not be issued.

4. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

4.1 Other than as set out in the table below, as at 29 February 2016 (being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document), the Company was not aware of any person who was directly or indirectly interested in 3 per cent. of more of the issued share capital of the Company:

Percentage of
issued share
Name Number of Shares capital (%)
Schroders plc 40,685,914 10.57
Investec Wealth & Investment Limited 29,221,146 7.59
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Pension Fund 24,756,828 6.43
CCLA Investment Management Limited 21,922,495 5.69
SG Hambros Bank Limited 20,355,208 5.29
Avenue Europe Management LLP 16,329,718 4.24
BlackRock, Inc 14,123,202 3.67
Asset Value Investors 13,352,000 3.47
Jefferies International Limited 11,922,979 3.10
Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited 11,788,870 3.06

4.2 Other than as disclosed above, the Company and the Directors are not aware of any person who as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document), directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercises or could exercise control over the Company, nor are they aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.

4.3 Save as set out below, no Director has any interests (beneficial or non-beneficial) in the share capital of the Company as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Registration Document):

Percentage
of issued
share
Director Number of Shares capital (%)
Baroness Dean 33,500 0.01
Timothy Attlee 875,000 0.23
Paul Hadaway 1,094,001 0.28
Michael Enright(*) 645,000 0.17
Jim Prower(**) 23,760 0.01
Stephen Alston 26,300 0.01

(*) 20,000 of these Shares are held on behalf of Mr. Enright's children.

(**) 11,880 of these Shares are held by Mr. Prower's wife.

4.4 Details of the Executive Directors' interests in nil cost options over Shares awarded under the LTIP as at the date of this Registration Document are set out below:

Number of
Shares the Number of Number of
subject of Shares under Shares under
the 2014/2015 option option
annual bonus pursuant pursuant
awards (issued to the to the Total LTIP
pursuant to 2015-2018 2014-2017 awards
Name the LTIP) LTIP awards LTIP awards outstanding
Paul Hadaway 103,825 406,131 375,000 938,956
Timothy Attlee 103,825 406,131 375,000 938,956
Michael Enright 75,273 368,105 187,500 630,878

The annual bonus awards are not subject to any further performance conditions and in normal circumstances will be exercisable on or after the third anniversary of grant.

The 2015-2018 LTIP awards and the 2014-2017 LTIP awards are subject to a performance condition linked to total shareholder return, measured over a three year period ending on 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 respectively and are expected to vest in November 2018 and November 2017 respectively.

  • 4.5 No amount has been set aside or accrued by the Company to provide pensions, retirement or other similar benefits.
  • 4.6 The Company has not made any loans to the Directors which are outstanding, nor has it ever provided any guarantees for the benefit of any Director or the Directors collectively.
  • 4.7 Over the five years preceding the date of this Registration Document, the Directors hold or have held the following directorships (apart from their directorships of Group subsidiaries) or memberships of administrative, management or supervisory bodies and/or partnerships:
Name Current Previous
Baroness
Dean
Places for People Individual
Support Limited
Places for People Homes Limited
Nats Holdings Limited
Nats Employee Sharetrust Limited
Thompson Media Foundation
(Trustee) Limited
The University College London
Hospitals Charitable Foundation
Places for People Ventures Limited
Places for People Operations
Limited
Places for People Group Limited
Taylor Wimpey plc
East Foundation Limited
Industry and Parliament Trust
Dawson Holdings Limited
Chamberlain Phipps Group Plc
Timothy
Attlee
London Cornwall Property Partners
Ltd
London Cornwall Student
Investments Ltd
London Cornwall (Birmingham) Ltd
London Cornwall (Bristol 1) Ltd
London Cornwall (Cardiff) Ltd
London Cornwall (Edinburgh) Ltd
London Cornwall (Exeter) Ltd
London Cornwall (Pinewood) Ltd
Pinewood Nominal Ltd
Pinewood Polzeath Residents
Management Company Ltd
Prime Student Housing (Cardiff)
Contracting Ltd
Prime Student Housing (Exeter)
Contracting Ltd
Boscawen Limited
Empire (Glasgow) Limited
Empire (Southampton) Limited
South West Peninsular
Properties Ltd (dissolved)
SWPP Investments Ltd (dissolved)
Paul
Hadaway
PLPP Management Ltd
London Cornwall Property
Partners Ltd
London Cornwall Student
Investments Ltd
London Cornwall (Pinewood) Ltd
Pinewood Nominal Ltd
Pinewood Polzeath Residents
Management Company Ltd
Empire (Glasgow) Limited
Empire (Southampton) Limited
London Cornwall (Birmingham) Ltd
London Cornwall (Bristol 1) Ltd
London Cornwall (Cardiff) Ltd
London Cornwall (Edinburgh) Ltd
London Cornwall (Exeter) Ltd
Prime Student Housing (Cardiff)
Contracting Ltd
Prime Student Housing (Exeter)
Contracting Ltd
Marble Shelf Developments
Limited (dissolved)
Marble Shelf Developments
(Holdings) Ltd
Name Current Previous
Michael
Enright
Livingstone Leisure Limited
London Cornwall (Cardiff) Limited
London Cornwall (Exeter) Limited
SBB Services Inc.
Vectrix Corporation Inc.
Brazilian Football Experience
Limited
Mediatonic Limited
The Future Media Group Limited
Stephen
Alston
Prime Student Housing (Cardiff)
Contracting Limited
Prime Student Housing (Exeter)
Contracting Limited
Metropolitan & Suburban Partners
Limited
Metropolitan & Suburban
Regeneration Fulham Limited
Lumley Properties 1 LLP
REQ Opco (Kingston) Limited
Brunswick Contracting Limited
Khemco Limited
Generator Group LLP
Hartwood Capital LLP
Jim Prower Argent Investments LLP
Elisabeth House General Partner
Limited
Elisabeth House Nominee No. 1
Limited
Elisabeth House Nominee No. 2
Limited
Argent (UK Development) Limited
Argent Estates Limited
Argent Nominee 1 Limited
Argent Nominee 2 Limited
Argent Brindleyplace Investments
Limited
Argent Group Developments PLC
Brindleyplace PLC
Brindleyplace General Partner
Limited
Argent (Paradise) Limited
Argent (Piccadilly Gardens)
Limited
Argent (Stevenson Square)
Limited
Argent Piccadilly Place (No. 1)
Limited
Argent Piccadilly Place (No. 2)
Limited
Argent Brindleyplace Investment
Limited
Piccadilly Place General Partner
Limited
Piccadilly Place Trustee (No. 1)
Limited
Piccadilly Place Trustee (No. 2)
Limited
Piccadilly Place Trustee (No. 3)
Limited
Piccadilly Place Trustee (No. 4)
Limited
Miller Argent (Nominee No. 1)
Limited
Miller Argent (South Wales)
Limited
Argent Development Consortium
Limited

Jim Prower (continued)

Name Current Previous

Brindleyplace Management Limited Argent Development Management Limited Colnbrook Developments (Nominee) Limited Colnbrook Developments Limited Eight Brindleyplace (No 2) Limited Eight Brindleyplace Limited Seven Brindleyplace (No 2) Limited Seven Brindleyplace Limited Six Brindleyplace (No 2) Limited Six Brindleyplace Limited Ten Brindleyplace (No 2) Limited Ten Brindleyplace Limited Brindleyplace (Headlease) (No 2) Limited Brindleyplace (Headlease) Limited Brindleyplace Co-nominee Limited Brindleyplace Nominee Limited KCC Nominee 1 (J) Ltd KCC Nominee 2 (J) Ltd ArtHouse Manco Limited KCC Nominee 1 (P2) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (P2) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (Q1) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (Q1) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R1) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R1) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (T5) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (T5) Limited King's Cross Events Limited KCC Nominee 1 (T1) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (T1) Limited KCC Nominee 1 Limited KCC Nominee 2 Limited KCC Nominee 1 (B3) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (B3) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R5N) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R5N) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (GG) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (GG) Limited KC (B2&B4) GP Limited KCC Nominee 1 (B2) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (B2) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (B4) Limited

Jim Prower (continued)

Name Current Previous

KCC Nominee 2 (B4) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (B5) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (B5) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (WTS) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (WTS) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (MGS) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (MGS) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (Coal Drops) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (Coal Drops) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R2) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R2) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (T1 Resi) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (T1 Resi) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (P1) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (P1) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (P1 Resi) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (P1 Resi) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (G1 PAV) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (G1 PAV) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (FC) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (FC) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (S2) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (S2) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (N1 RESI) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (N1 RESI) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (N1) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (N1) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R7) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R7) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (B6) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (B6) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R6) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R6) Limited KCC Nominee 1 (R3/R6) Limited KCC Nominee 2 (R3/R6) Limited Plimsoll Manco Limited R3/R6 Manco Limited Tapestry Manco Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 11 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 12 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 13 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 14 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 16 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 17 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 18 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 21 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 22 Limited Tritax REIT Acquisition 23 Limited Argent Group Limited

Name Current Previous
Jim Prower
(continued)
King's Cross Central (Trustee No.
One) Limited
King's Cross Central (Trustee No.
Two) Limited
King's Cross Central General
Partner Limited
Argent King's Cross Nominee
Limited
Argent King's Cross GP Limited
Argent (King's Cross) Limited
King's Cross Estate Services
Limited
Argent Projects No. 4 GP Limited
Argent Projects No. 4 GP Nominee
Limited
Five Piccadilly Management
Company Limited
Miller Argent (Nominee No. 1)
Limited
Miller Argent (South Wales) Limited
Ffos-y-fran (Commoners) Limited
Miller Argent (Ffos-y-fran) Limited
Miller Argent Holdings Limited
Argent (Property Development)
Services LLP
Tritax REIT Acquisition 3 Limited
Tritax REIT Acquisition 4 Limited
Argent Estates Limited
Tritax REIT Acquisition 5 Limited
Prometheus Regeneration Limited
Sisyphus Limited
Tritax REIT Acquisition 8 Limited
Tritax REIT Acquisition 9 Limited
Tritax REIT Acquisition 10 Limited
Stuart
Beevor
ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK
Property Debt Investments Limited
Beevor Consulting Ltd
Clapham Park Development
Limited
Metropolitan Living Limited
The Unite Group plc
Grosvenor Estate Holdings
Grosvenor Estate International
Developments
Grosvenor Estate International
Properties
Grosvenor Estate Investment
Management Limited
Grosvenor European Properties
Limited
Grosvenor Garden Leisure Limited
Grosvenor Investments UK Limited
Grosvenor Sports Club Limited
Grosvenor Westminster Holdings

Limited

Stuart
Grosvenor International Fund
Management Limited
Beevor
Grosvenor Continental Europe
Holdings Limited
Grosvenor Fund Management
Limited
Almack House Limited
Belgrave House Investment
Limited
Forge Glasgow Limited
Freshney Place (No.2) Limited
Grosvenor Investment
Management Limited
Grosvenor Estate Holdings
Grosvenor Basingstoke
Management Limited
Grosvenor Basingstoke Properties
Limited
Grosvenor Fund Management UK
Limited
Grosvenor Liverpool Limited
Grosvenor Management Limited
Grosvenor UK Properties Limited
NPS 40 GPL Limited
NPS Victoria Investments
(London) Limited
Talbot General Partner Limited
125 Wood Street Limited
110 Park Street Limited
Grosvenor Group Holdings Limited
10 Grosvenor Street Limited
Grosvenor Residential GP Limited
Clapham Park Homes Limited
Name Current Previous
Grosvenor Investment

4.8 Timothy Attlee was a director of South West Peninsular Properties Ltd and SWPP Investments Ltd, both of which companies were placed into voluntary solvent liquidation and dissolved.

Management Limited

  • 4.9 Paul Hadaway was a director of Marble Shelf Developments Limited which was the subject of a compulsory winding-up order dated 24 June 2009. The company was wound-up and dissolved on 12 September 2013 following an agreed commercial settlement with creditors.
  • 4.10 Michael Enright was a non-executive director of Vectrix Corporation Inc. which entered into Chapter 11 insolvency protection under United States law on 28 September 2009. The company was subsequently liquidated with administrative and professional fee claims paid in full, priority claims receiving a 49 per cent. distribution and unsecured claims receiving no distribution.
  • 4.11 In the five years before the date of this Registration Document, the Directors:
  • 4.11.1 did not have any convictions in relation to fraudulent offences;

  • 4.11.2 save as disclosed in this paragraph 4, were not associated with any bankruptcies, receiverships or liquidations of any partnership or company through acting in the capacity as a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body or as a partner, founder or senior manager of such partnership or company; and

  • 4.11.3 did not have any official public incrimination and/or sanctions by statutory or regulatory authorities (including designated professional bodies) and were not disqualified by a court from acting as a member of the administration, management or supervisory bodies of any issuer or from acting in the management or conduct of the affairs of any issuer.
  • 4.12 Save as disclosed in the section entitled "Conflicts of interest" in Part 4 of this Registration Document, as at the date of this Registration Document, none of the Directors had any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between any duties to the Company and their private interests and/or other duties.
  • 4.13 The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance on behalf of the Directors at the expense of the Company.
  • 4.14 All Shareholders have the same voting rights in respect of the share capital of the Company.

5. DIRECTORS' SERVICE AGREEMENTS

5.1 Executive Directors

The following agreements have been entered into between each of the Executive Directors and the Company:

  • 5.1.1 Paul Hadaway, who was appointed as a Director on incorporation, is employed by the Company in the post of Chief Executive Officer. He is engaged under a contract with Company dated 16 June 2014, which includes a notice period of 12 months and contains restrictive covenants. The annual salary under Paul Hadaway's service agreement is currently £325,000 (with effect from 1 July 2015).
  • 5.1.2 Timothy Attlee, who was appointed as a Director on incorporation, is employed by the Company in the post of Chief Investment Officer. He is engaged under a contract with Company dated 16 June 2014, which includes a notice period of 12 months and contains restrictive covenants. The annual salary under Timothy Attlee's service agreement is currently £325,000 (with effect from 1 July 2015).
  • 5.1.3 Michael Enright, who was appointed as a Director on 21 March 2014, is employed by the Company in the post of Chief Financial Officer. He is engaged under a contract with Company dated 16 June 2014, which includes a notice period of 12 months and contains restrictive covenants. The annual salary under Michael Enright's service agreement is currently £260,000 (with effect from 1 July 2015).
  • 5.2 In addition, each of the Executive Directors is entitled to a contribution of 15 per cent. of basic salary for his personal pension arrangements or direct to his pension plan and a standard benefits package including, medical insurance, life insurance and a £10,000 per annum car allowance.
  • 5.3 Each Director is also entitled to a discretionary bonus under the Group's annual bonus scheme, further details of which are set out in paragraph 6 of this Part 8.

5.4 Non-Executive Directors

Each Non-Executive Director has entered into a letter of appointment with the Company. The Directors' appointments can be terminated in accordance with the Articles and without compensation. All Directors are subject to retirement by rotation in accordance with the Articles. There is no notice period specified in the letters of appointment or Articles for the removal of Non-Executive Directors. The Articles provide that the office of Director shall be terminated by, amongst other things: (i) written resignation; (ii) unauthorised absences from board meetings for six consecutive months or more; or (iii) the written request of all of the other Directors.

Each of the Non-Executive Directors is entitled to receive a fee from the Company at such rate as may be determined in accordance with the Articles. Details of the remuneration for the Non-Executive Directors as at the date of this Registration Document is as follows:

Director Fee (£) Appointment date
Baroness Dean 67,000 28 May 2014
Stephen Alston None* 28 May 2014
Jim Prower 45,000 28 May 2014
Stuart Beevor 40,000 1 January 2016

* Due to the Company's arrangement with Revcap under the Investment Support Agreement, Mr Alston does not receive any separate Non-Executive Directors' fees for his role on the Board.

The Non-Executive Directors are also entitled to out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the proper performance of their duties. The aggregate remuneration and benefits in kind of the Non-Executive Directors in respect of the Company's accounting period ending 30 June 2016 which will be payable out of the assets of the Company are not expected to exceed £152,000.

6. INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

6.1 Long Term Incentive Plan

The Company has adopted the Empiric Student Property Plc 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP").

6.1.1 Eligibility

Employees and Executive Directors of the Company and designated subsidiaries and joint ventures are eligible to participate in the LTIP.

6.1.2 Grant of awards

The Directors or, in the case of Executive Directors, the Remuneration Committee will decide who will participate and how many Shares they can receive.

Selected employees are granted a right to receive Shares in the Company in the future subject to remaining in employment and subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions. The right (referred to as an award) can take the form of: (i) a conditional right to free Shares on vesting; or (ii) an option to acquire Shares, from the date of vesting, at an exercise price set at the time of grant (which may be zero).

When the participant becomes entitled to the Shares the award is said to have vested.

Awards will normally only be granted within 42 days of announcement of the Company's results for any period or the annual general meeting. No awards can be granted more than 10 years after the adoption of the LTIP.

6.1.3 Performance conditions

Vesting of an award may be subject to a performance condition set by the Remuneration Committee at the time of grant which will normally be tested over at least three financial years. Awards made to Directors of the Company will be subject to performance conditions as described in the Company's remuneration policy from time to time.

6.1.4 Individual limit

The value of Shares subject to awards granted to a Director in any financial year will be limited to 150 per cent. of basic salary using an average share price over a period determined by the Remuneration Committee, being not less than twelve months. This limit is subject to any higher percentage approved by the Shareholders in respect of the Company's remuneration policy.

6.1.5 Vesting awards

Awards will normally only vest to the extent any performance condition is met. To the extent the award vests, Shares will be issued or transferred to the participant or, in the case of an option, the option will become exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant.

An award can be granted on the basis that the participant will receive an additional amount on vesting based on the dividends paid on the number of Shares in respect of which the award vests or is exercised. This may be paid in cash or additional Shares.

6.1.6 Malus

The Remuneration Committee can reduce or delay vesting in certain circumstances such as an error in, or restatement of, results or misconduct by the participant.

6.1.7 Leaving employment

If a participant leaves employment, his award will normally lapse. However, if the participant leaves because of disability, ill-health or injury; redundancy; retirement; sale of his employer, or in other circumstances if the Remuneration Committee allows (a "good leaver"), his award will continue in effect and vest on the original vesting date. On death, or in other circumstances if the Remuneration Committee so decides, the award will vest early.

An award will only vest in these circumstances to the extent that any performance condition is satisfied at the date of vesting and, unless the Remuneration Committee decides otherwise, the number of Shares in respect of which it vests will be reduced to reflect the fact that the participant left early.

The Remuneration Committee can decide that any holding period will not apply where the participant leaves before it starts and his award does not lapse.

6.1.8 Takeovers, mergers and other corporate events

Awards will generally vest early on a takeover, merger or other corporate event to the extent that any performance condition is then satisfied. Where an award vests in these circumstances, the number of Shares in respect of which it vests will, unless the Remuneration Committee decides otherwise, be reduced to reflect the fact that it is vesting early. Alternatively, participants may be allowed or required to exchange their awards over shares in the acquiring company.

6.1.9 Deferred bonus arrangements

Awards under the LTIP can also be made in respect of arrangements under which a cash bonus is to be deferred into Shares. Such awards will vest in full on a takeover, merger or other corporate event. If a participant leaves employment, his award will normally lapse. If however he is a good leaver his award will continue in effect and vest on the original vesting date. On death, or in other circumstances if the Remuneration Committee so decides, the award will vest early.

6.1.10 Plan limit

In any 10 year period, not more than 10 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company may be issued or issuable under the LTIP and all other employee share plans operated by the Company.

In any 10 year period, not more than five per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company may be issued or issuable under the LTIP and all other discretionary employee share plans adopted by the Company.

These limits do not include options or awards which lapse but does include treasury shares if they were newly issued for so long as it is best practice to do so.

6.1.11 Changes to the LTIP

The Remuneration Committee can amend the LTIP in any way. However, subject to the following, Shareholder approval will be required to amend certain provisions to the advantage of participants. These provisions relate to: (i) eligibility; (ii) individual and plan limits; (iii) exercise price; (iv) rights attaching to options, awards and Shares; (v) adjustments on variation in the Company's share capital, and (vi) the amendment power.

The Remuneration Committee can, without shareholder approval, change the LTIP to obtain or maintain favourable tax treatment, make certain minor amendments such as to benefit the administration of the LTIP or change any performance condition in accordance with its terms or if anything happens which causes the Remuneration Committee reasonably to consider it appropriate to do so.

6.1.12 General

Any Shares issued on the vesting of awards or exercise of options will rank equally with Shares of the same class in issue on the date of allotment except in respect of rights arising by reference to a prior record date.

The option price or number of Shares subject to options or awards may be adjusted following a demerger, rights issue or other variation in the share capital of the Company.

Options and awards are not pensionable or transferable.

6.2 Annual bonus scheme

The Group operates an annual bonus scheme for the Executive Directors. The maximum pay out under the annual bonus scheme is 110 per cent. of annual salary, with at least 40 per cent. of any bonus satisfied by the issue of Shares which will be deferred for three years. Payment of an annual bonus is dependent upon performance over the prior 12 month period, with targets set and agreed with the Remuneration Committee. Deferred Share awards under the annual bonus scheme are issued in the form of nil cost options under the LTIP. Such awards have no further performance conditions.

7. THE ARTICLES

The Articles contain provisions, inter alia, to the following effect:

7.1 Objects/purposes

The Articles do not provide for any objects of the Company and accordingly the Company's objects are unrestricted.

7.2 Voting rights

  • (a) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, to any special terms as to voting on which any shares may have been issued or may from time-to-time be held and to any suspension or abrogation of voting rights pursuant to the Articles, at any general meeting, every member who is present in person shall, on a show of hands, have one vote, every proxy who has been appointed by a member entitled to vote on the resolution shall, on a show of hands, have one vote and every member present in person or by proxy shall, on a poll, have one vote for each share of which he is a holder. A shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or vest all the votes he uses the same way. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders.
  • (b) Unless the Board otherwise determines, no member shall be entitled to receive any dividends or be present and vote at a general meeting or a separate general meeting of the holders of any class of shares, either in person or (save as proxy for another member) by proxy, or be reckoned in a quorum, or to exercise any other right or privilege as a member in respect of a share held by him, unless and until he shall have paid all calls for the time being due and payable by him in respect of that share, whether alone or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if any) payable by him to the Company or if he, or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in such shares, has been issued with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares and has failed in relation to any such shares to give the Company the required information within 14 days.
  • (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles, where required by the Listing Rules, a vote must be decided by a resolution of the holders of the Company's shares that have been admitted to premium listing. In addition, where the Listing Rules require that a particular resolution must in addition be approved by the independent shareholders (as such term is defined in the Listing Rules), only

independent shareholders who hold the Company's shares that have been admitted to premium listing can vote on such separate resolution.

7.3 Dividends

  • (a) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and of the Articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution declare dividends to be paid to members according to their respective rights and interests in the profits of the Company. However, no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Board.
  • (b) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Board may declare and pay such interim dividends (including any dividend payable at a fixed rate) as appears to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company available for distribution. If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may pay such interim dividends on shares which rank after shares conferring preferential rights with regard to dividends as well as on shares conferring preferential rights, unless at the time of payment any preferential dividend is in arrears. Provided that the Board acts in good faith, it shall not incur any liability to the holders of shares conferring preferential rights for any loss that they may suffer by the lawful payment of any interim dividend on any shares ranking after those preferential rights.
  • (c) All dividends, interest or other sums payable and unclaimed for a period of 12 months after having become payable may be invested or otherwise used by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed and the Company shall not be constituted a trustee in respect thereof. All dividends unclaimed for a period of 12 years after having become payable shall, if the Board so resolves, be forfeited and shall cease to remain owing by, and shall become the property of, the Company.
  • (d) The Board may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company, direct that payment of any dividend declared may be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company, or in any one or more of such ways.
  • (e) The Board may also, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company and subject to the Articles and such terms and conditions as the Board may determine, offer to holders of shares the right to elect to receive shares of the same class, credited as fully paid, instead of the whole (or some part, to be determined by the Board) of any dividend specified by the ordinary resolution.
  • (f) Unless the Board otherwise determines, the payment of any dividend or other money that would otherwise be payable in respect of shares will be withheld by the Company if such shares represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of their class and the holder, or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in those shares, has been duly served with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares and has failed to supply the required information within 14 days. Furthermore such a holder shall not be entitled to elect to receive shares instead of a dividend.

7.4 Winding up

  • (a) If the Company is wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution and any other sanction required by law and subject to the Companies Act, divide among the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as he may with the like sanction determine, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other securities upon which there is a liability.
  • (b) The Directors are required to propose an ordinary resolution that the Company continue its business as presently constituted (the "Continuation Resolution") at the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2017. If the Continuation Resolution is not passed, the Directors will formulate proposals to be put to Shareholders to reorganise, restructure or wind-up the Company and to present such proposals to Shareholders within 60 days of the date of the annual general meeting at which the continuation resolution was proposed.

7.5 Transfer of shares

  • (a) Subject to such of the restrictions in the Articles as may be applicable, each member may transfer all or any of his shares which are in certificated form by instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or in any form approved by the Board. Such instrument shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and (in the case of a transfer of a share which is not fully paid up) by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of such share until the name of the transferee is entered in the register of members.
  • (b) The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of a share in certificated form (or renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment) unless:
  • (i) it is in respect of a share which is fully paid up;
  • (ii) it is in respect of only one class of shares;
  • (iii) it is in favour of a single transferee or not more than four joint transferees;
  • (iv) it is duly stamped (if so required); and
  • (v) it is delivered for registration to the registered office for the time being of the Company or such other place as the Board may from time-to-time determine, accompanied (except in the case of (a) a transfer by a recognised person where a certificate has not been issued (b) a transfer of an uncertificated share or (c) a renunciation) by the certificate for the share to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor or person renouncing and the due execution of the transfer or renunciation by him or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person to do so,

provided that the Board shall not refuse to register a transfer or renunciation of a partly paid share in certificated form on the grounds that it is partly paid in circumstances where such refusal would prevent dealings in such share from taking place on an open and proper basis on the market on which such share is admitted to trading. The Board may refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated share in such other circumstances as may be permitted or required by the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755) and the relevant electronic system.

  • (c) Unless the Board otherwise determines, a transfer of shares will not be registered if the transferor or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in the transferor's shares has been duly served with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares, has failed to supply the required information within 14 days and the shares in respect of which such notice has been served represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of their class, unless the member is not himself in default as regards supplying the information required and proves to the satisfaction of the Board that no person in default as regards supplying such information is interested in any of the shares the subject of the transfer, or unless such transfer is by way of acceptance of a takeover offer, in consequence of a sale on a recognised investment exchange or any other stock exchange outside the United Kingdom on which the Company's shares are normally traded or is in consequence of a bona fide sale to an unconnected party.
  • (d) If the Board refuses to register a transfer of a share, it shall send the transferee notice of its refusal, together with its reasons for refusal, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company.
  • (e) No fee shall be charged for the registration of any instrument of transfer or any other document relating to or affecting the title to any shares.
  • (f) If at any time the holding or beneficial ownership of any shares in the Company by any person (whether on its own or taken with other shares), in the opinion of the Directors (i) would cause the assets of the Company to be treated as "plan assets" of any benefit plan investor under Section 3(42) of ERISA or the U.S. Code; or (ii) would or might result in the Company and/or its shares being required to register or qualify under the U.S. Investment Company Act and/or the U.S. Securities Act and/or the U.S. Exchange Act and/or any laws of any state of the U.S. that regulate the offering and sale of securities; or (iii) may cause the Company not to be considered a "Foreign Private Issuer" under the U.S. Exchange Act and U.S. Securities Act; or (iv) may cause the Company to be a "controlled foreign corporation" for the purpose of the U.S. Code; or (v) creates a significant legal or regulatory issue for the Company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (as amended) or regulations or interpretations thereunder, then any shares which the Directors decide are shares which are so held or beneficially owned ("Prohibited Shares") must be dealt with in accordance with paragraph 7.5(g) below. The Directors may at any time give notice in writing to the holder of a share requiring him to make a declaration as to whether or not the share is a Prohibited Share.
  • (g) The Directors shall give written notice to the holder of any share which appears to them to be a Prohibited Share requiring him within 21 days (or such extended time as the Directors consider reasonable) to transfer (and/or procure the disposal of interests in) such share to another person so that it will cease to be a Prohibited Share. From the date of such notice until registration for such a transfer or a transfer arranged by the Directors as referred to below, the share will not confer any right on the holder to receive notice of or to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company and of any class of shareholder and those rights will vest

in the Chairman of any such meeting, who may exercise or refrain from exercising them entirely at his discretion. If the notice is not complied with within 21 days to the satisfaction of the Directors, the Directors shall arrange for the Company to sell the share at the best price reasonably obtainable to any other person so that the share will cease to be a Prohibited Share. The net proceeds of sale (after payment of the Company's costs of sale and together with interest at such rate as the Directors consider appropriate) shall be paid over by the Company to the former holder upon surrender by him of the relevant share certificate (if applicable).

(h) Upon transfer of a share the transferee of such share shall be deemed to have represented and warranted to the Company that such transferee is acquiring shares in an offshore transaction meeting the requirements of Regulation S and is not, nor is acting on behalf of: (i) a benefit plan investor and no portion of the assets used by such transferee to acquire or hold an interest in such share constitutes or will be treated as "plan assets" of any benefit plan investor under Section 3(42) of ERISA; and/or (ii) a U.S. Person.

7.6 Variation of rights

  • (a) If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into shares of different classes, any of the rights for the time being attached to any shares (whether or not the Company may be or is about to be wound up) may from time-to-time be varied or abrogated in such manner (if any) as may be provided in the Articles by such rights or, in the absence of any such provision, either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of the relevant class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the class duly convened and held in accordance with the Companies Act.
  • (b) The quorum at every such meeting shall be not less than two persons present (in person or by proxy) holding at least one-third of the nominal amount paid up on the issued shares of the relevant class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) and at an adjourned meeting not less than one person holding shares of the relevant class or his proxy.

7.7 Alteration of share capital

The Company may, from time to time, by ordinary resolution:

  • (a) authorise the Directors to increase its share capital by allotting new shares;
  • (b) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger nominal amount than its existing shares;
  • (c) subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, sub-divide its shares or any of them, into shares of smaller nominal amount and may by such resolution determine that, as between the shares resulting from such a sub-division, one or more of the shares may, as compared with the others, have any such preferred, deferred or other special rights or be subject to any such restrictions, as the Company has power to attach to new shares; and
  • (d) redenominate its share capital by converting shares from having a fixed nominal value in one currency to having a fixed nominal value in another currency.

7.8 General meetings

  • (a) The Board may convene a general meeting (which is not an annual general meeting) whenever it thinks fit.
  • (b) A general meeting shall be convened by such notice as may be required by law from time-to-time.
  • (c) The notice of any general meeting shall include such statements as are required by the Companies Act and shall in any event specify:
  • (i) whether the meeting is convened as an annual general meeting or any other general meeting;
  • (ii) the place, the day and the time of the meeting;
  • (iii) the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting;
  • (iv) if the meeting is convened to consider a special resolution, the text of the resolution and the intention to propose the resolution as such; and
  • (v) with reasonable prominence, that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint one or (provided each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share held by the member) more proxies to attend and to speak and vote instead of the member and that a proxy need not also be a member.
  • (d) The notice shall be given to the members (other than any who, under the provisions of the Articles or of any restrictions imposed on any shares, are not entitled to receive notice from the Company), to the Directors and the auditors and to any other person who may be entitled to receive it. The accidental omission to give or send notice of any meeting, or, in cases where it is intended that it be given or sent out with the notice, any other document relating to the meeting including an appointment of proxy to, or the non-receipt of either by, any person entitled to receive the same, shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
  • (e) The right of a member to participate in the business of any general meeting shall include without limitation the right to speak, vote, be represented by a proxy or proxies and have access to all documents which are required by the Companies Act or the Articles to be made available at the meeting.
  • (f) A Director shall, notwithstanding that he is not a member, be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares of the Company. The Chairman of any general meeting may also invite any person to attend and speak at that meeting if he considers that this will assist in the deliberations of the meeting.
  • (g) No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business. Subject to the Articles, two persons entitled to attend and to vote on the business to be transacted, each being a member so entitled or a proxy for a member so entitled or a duly authorised representative of a corporation which is a member so entitled, shall be a quorum. If, at any time, there is only one person entitled to attend and to vote on the business to be transacted, such person being the sole member so entitled or a proxy for such sole member so entitled or a duly authorised representative of a corporation which is such sole member so entitled, shall be a quorum. The

Chairman of the meeting may, with the consent of the meeting at which a quorum is present, and shall, if so directed by the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time-to-time (or indefinitely) and from place to place as the meeting shall determine. Where a meeting is adjourned indefinitely, the Board shall fix a time and place for the adjourned meeting. Whenever a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more or indefinitely, seven clear days' notice at the least, specifying the place, the day and time of the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted, must be given in the same manner as in the case of the original meeting.

  • (h) A resolution put to a vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless (before or on the declaration of the result on a show of hands) a poll is duly demanded. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, a poll may be demanded by:
  • (i) the chairman of the meeting;
  • (ii) at least five members having the right to vote on the resolution;
  • (iii) a member or members representing not less than ten per cent. of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attached to shares held as treasury shares); or
  • (iv) member or members holding shares conferring the right to vote on the resolution, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than ten per cent. of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right (excluding any voting rights attached to shares in the Company conferring a right to vote on the resolution held as treasury shares).

7.9 Borrowing powers

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part or parts thereof and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

7.10 Issue of shares

  • (a) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, and to any relevant authority of the Company required by the Companies Act, the Board may allot, grant options over, offer or otherwise deal with or dispose of any new shares or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares, at such times and generally on such terms and conditions as the Board may decide, provided that no share shall be issued at a discount.
  • (b) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and to any rights for the time being attached to any existing shares, any shares may be allotted or issued with or have attached to them such preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, transfer, return of capital or otherwise, as the Company may from time-to-time by ordinary resolution determine or, if no such resolution has been passed or so far as the resolution does not make specific provision, as the Board may determine and any share may be issued which is, or at the option

of the Company or the holder of such share is liable to be, redeemed in accordance with the Articles or as the Directors may determine.

(c) The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Articles and to any directions given by special resolution to take, or refrain from taking, specified action, may exercise all the powers of the Company, whether relating to the management of the business or not. Any Director may appoint any other Director, or any other person approved by resolution of the Directors and willing to act and permitted by law to do so, to be an alternate Director.

7.11 Directors' fees

  • (a) The Directors (other than alternate Directors) shall be entitled to receive by way of fees for their services as Directors such sum as the Board may from time-to-time determine (not exceeding in aggregate £400,000 per annum or such other sum as the Company in general meeting shall from time-to-time determine). Any such fees payable shall be distinct from any salary, remuneration or other amounts payable to a Director pursuant to any other provision of the Articles or otherwise and shall accrue from day-to-day.
  • (b) The Directors are entitled to be repaid all reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in or about the performance of their duties as Directors.

7.12 Directors' interests

  • (a) The Board may authorise any matter proposed to it in accordance with the Articles which would, if not so authorised, involve a breach by a Director of his duty to avoid conflicts of interest under the Companies Act, including any matter which relates to a situation in which a Director has or can have an interest which conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the interest of the Company (including the exploitation of any property, information or opportunity, whether or not the Company could take advantage of it but excluding any situation which cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest). This does not apply to a conflict of interest arising in relation to a transaction or arrangement with the Company. Any authorisation will only be effective if any quorum requirement at any meeting at which the matter was considered is met without counting the Director in question or any other interested Director and the matter was agreed to without their voting or would have been agreed to if their votes had not been counted. The Board may impose limits or conditions on any such authorisation or may vary or terminate it at any time.
  • (b) Subject to having, where required, obtained authorisation of the conflict from the Board, a Director shall be under no duty to the Company with respect to any information which he obtains or has obtained otherwise than as a Director of the Company and in respect of which he has a duty of confidentiality to another person. In particular, a Director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company under the Companies Act because he fails to disclose any such information to the Board or to use or apply any such information in performing his duties as a Director, or because he absents himself from meetings of the Board at which any matter relating to a conflict of interest, or possible conflict, of interest is discussed and/or makes arrangements not to receive documents or information relating to any matter which gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest and/or makes arrangements for such documents and information to be received and read by a professional adviser.

  • (c) Provided that his interest is disclosed at a meeting of the Board, or in the case of a transaction or arrangement with the Company, in the manner set out in the Companies Act, a Director, notwithstanding his office:

  • (i) may be a party to or otherwise be interested in any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested;
  • (ii) may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (except that of auditor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries);
  • (iii) may act by himself or through his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and in any such case on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Board may arrange;
  • (iv) may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any company promoted by the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested or as regards which the Company has any powers of appointment; and
  • (v) shall not be liable to account to the Company for any profit, remuneration or other benefit realised by any office or employment or from any transaction or arrangement or from any interest in any body corporate. No such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the grounds of any such interest or benefit nor shall the receipt of any such profit, remuneration or any other benefit constitute a breach of his duty not to accept benefits from third parties.
  • (d) A Director need not declare an interest in the case of a transaction or arrangement with the Company if the other Directors are already aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, of the interest or it concerns the terms of his service contract that have been or are to be considered at a meeting of the Directors or if the interest consists of him being a director, officer or employee of a company in which the Company is interested.
  • (e) The Board may cause the voting rights conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company or any power of appointment to be exercised in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit and a Director may vote on and be counted in the quorum in relation to any of these matters.

7.13 Restrictions on Directors voting

  • (a) A Director shall not vote on, or be counted in the quorum in relation to, any resolution of the Board or of a committee of the Board concerning any transaction or arrangement in which he has an interest which is to his knowledge a material interest and, if he purports to do so, his vote shall not be counted, but this prohibition shall not apply in respect of any resolution concerning any one or more of the following matters:
  • (i) any transaction or arrangement in which he is interested by means of an interest in shares, debentures or other securities or otherwise in or through the Company;
  • (ii) the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent to, or obligations incurred by him or any other person at the request of or for the benefit of, the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings;

  • (iii) the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for which he himself has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

  • (iv) the giving of any other indemnity where all other Directors are also being offered indemnities on substantially the same terms;
  • (v) any proposal concerning an offer of shares or debentures or other securities of or by the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings in which offer he is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he is to participate;
  • (vi) any proposal concerning any other body corporate in which he does not to his knowledge have an interest (as the term is used in Part 22 of the Companies Act) in one per cent. or more of the issued equity share capital of any class of such body corporate (calculated exclusively of any shares of that class in that company held as treasury shares) nor to his knowledge holds one per cent. or more of the voting rights which he holds as shareholder or through his direct or indirect holding of financial instruments (within the meaning of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules) in such body corporate;
  • (vii) any proposal relating to an arrangement for the benefit of the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings which does not award him any privilege or benefit not generally awarded to the employees to whom such arrangement relates;
  • (viii) any proposal concerning insurance which the Company proposes to maintain or purchase for the benefit of Directors or for the benefit of persons who include Directors;
  • (ix) any proposal concerning the funding of expenditure by one or more Directors on defending proceedings against him or them, or doing anything to enable such Director or Directors to avoid incurring such expenditure; or
  • (x) any transaction or arrangement in respect of which his interest, or the interest of Directors generally has been authorised by ordinary resolution.
  • (b) A Director shall not vote or be counted in the quorum on any resolution of the Board or committee of the Board concerning his own appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of his appointment or its termination) as the holder of any office or place of profit with the Company or any company in which the Company is interested.

7.14 Number of Directors

Unless and until otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution of the Company, the number of Directors (other than alternate Directors) shall be not less than two and the number is not subject to a maximum.

7.15 Directors' appointment and retirement

  • (a) Each Director shall retire from office at the third annual general meeting after the annual general meeting or general meeting (as the case may be) at which he was previously appointed.
  • (b) Any Director who has held office with the Company, other than employment or executive office, and who, at the date of the annual general meeting, has held such

office for nine years or more, shall be subject to re-appointment at each annual general meeting.

7.16 Notice requiring disclosure of interest in shares

  • (a) The Company may, by notice in writing under section 793 of the Companies Act, require a person whom the Company knows to be, or has reasonable cause to believe is, interested in any shares or at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is issued to have been interested in any shares, to confirm that fact or (as the case may be) to indicate whether or not this is the case and to give such further information as may be required by the Directors. Such information may include, without limitation, particulars of the person's identity, particulars of the person's own past or present interest in any shares and to disclose the identity of any other person who has a present interest in the shares held by him, where the interest is a present interest and any other interest, in any shares, which subsisted during that three year period at any time when his own interest subsisted to give (so far as is within his knowledge) such particulars with respect to that other interest as may be required and where a person's interest is a past interest to give (so far as is within his knowledge) like particulars for the person who held that interest immediately upon his ceasing to hold it.
  • (b) If any shareholder is in default in supplying to the Company the information required by the Company within the prescribed period (which is 14 days after service of the notice), or such other reasonable period as the Directors may determine, the Directors in their absolute discretion may serve a direction notice on the shareholder. The direction notice may direct that in respect of the shares in respect of which the default has occurred (the "default shares") the shareholder shall not be entitled to vote in general meetings or class meetings. Where the default shares represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of the class of shares concerned, the direction notice may additionally direct that dividends on such shares will be retained by the Company (without interest) and that no transfer of the default shares (other than a transfer authorised under the Articles) shall be registered until the default is rectified.

7.17 Untraced shareholders

Subject to the Articles, the Company may sell any shares registered in the name of a member if and provided that during the period of 12 years immediately prior to the date of the publication of the advertisement of an intention to make such a disposal the Company has paid at least three cash dividends on the shares and no cash dividend payable on the share has either been claimed or cashed. Until the Company can account to the member, the net proceeds of sale will be available for use in the business of the Company or for investment, in either case at the discretion of the Board. The proceeds will not carry interest.

7.18 Indemnity of Officers

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may otherwise be entitled, every past or present Director (including an alternate Director) or officer of the Company or a director or officer of an associated company (except the auditors or the auditors of an associated company) may at the discretion of the Board be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses, damages and liabilities incurred by him for negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust or otherwise in relation to the affairs of the Company or of an associated company, or in connection with the activities of the Company, or of an associated company, or as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme (as defined in Section 235(6) Companies Act). In addition the Board may purchase and maintain insurance at the expense of the Company for the benefit of any such person indemnifying him against any liability or expenditure incurred by him for acts or omissions as a Director or officer of the Company (or of an associated company).

7.19 REIT provisions

A summary of the REIT provisions included in the Articles is set out in paragraph 4 of Part 7 of this Registration Document.

8. CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

8.1 Mandatory bid

The Takeover Code applies to the Company. Under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code, if:

  • a person acquires an interest in Shares which, when taken together with Shares already held by him or persons acting in concert with him, carry 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights in the Company; or
  • a person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in not less than 30 per cent. and not more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights in the Company acquires additional interests in Shares which increase the percentage of Shares carrying voting rights in which that person is interested,

the acquirer and, depending on the circumstances, its concert parties, would be required (except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers) to make a cash offer for the outstanding Shares at a price not less than the highest price paid for any interests in the Shares by the acquirer or its concert parties during the previous 12 months.

8.2 Compulsory acquisition

Under Sections 974 – 991 of the Companies Act, if an offeror acquires or contracts to acquire (pursuant to a takeover offer) not less than 90 per cent. of the Shares (in value and by voting rights) to which such offer relates it may then compulsorily acquire the outstanding Shares not assented to the offer. It would do so by sending a notice to outstanding holders of Shares telling them that it will compulsorily acquire their Shares and then, six weeks later, it would execute a transfer of the outstanding Shares in its favour and pay the consideration to the Company, which would hold the consideration on trust for the outstanding holders of Shares. The consideration offered to the holders whose Shares are compulsorily acquired under the Companies Act must, in general, be the same as the consideration that was available under the takeover offer.

In addition, pursuant to Section 983 of the Companies Act, if an offeror acquires or agrees to acquire not less than 90 per cent. of the Shares (in value and by voting rights) to which the offer relates, any holder of Shares to which the offer relates who has not accepted the offer may require the offeror to acquire his Shares on the same terms as the takeover offer.

The offeror would be required to give any holder of Shares notice of his right to be bought out within one month of that right arising. Sell-out rights cannot be exercised after the end of the period of three months from the last date on which the offer can be accepted or, if later, three months from the date on which the notice is served on the holder of Shares notifying it of its sell-out rights. If a holder of Shares exercises its rights, the offeror is bound to acquire those Shares on the terms of the takeover offer or on such other terms as may be agreed.

9. MATERIAL CONTRACTS OF THE GROUP

The following are the only contracts, not being contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, which have been entered into by the Group in the two years immediately preceding the date of this document and which are, or may be, material or which have been entered into at any time by the Group and which contain any provision under which any obligation or entitlement is, or may be, material to the Group at the date of this Registration Document.

9.1 The Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement

The Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement dated 1 March 2016 between the Company, the Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Jefferies has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to

  • (i) procure subscribers for Shares under the Initial Placing; and
  • (ii) procure subscribers for Shares made available under any further placings under the Share Issuance Programme.

In addition, under the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement, Akur has been appointed as joint financial adviser and Jefferies has been appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the proposed applications for Admission of new Shares issued pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme.

The Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement may be terminated by Jefferies in certain customary circumstances prior to the Final Date.

The obligations of the Company to issue Shares under the Initial Placing and the obligations of Jefferies to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for Shares under the Initial Placing are conditional upon certain conditions that are typical for an agreement of this nature. These conditions include, among others: (i) Initial Admission in respect of the Shares occurring and becoming effective by 8.00 a.m. on or prior to 21 March 2016 or such later time and/or date as the Company and Jefferies may agree; and (ii) the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement becoming wholly unconditional (save as to Initial Admission and any conditions relating to any subsequent issue under the Share Issuance Programme) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms at any time prior to Initial Admission.

Similarly, the obligations of the Company and Jefferies in connection with the Share Issuance Programme are conditional upon certain conditions that are typical for an agreement of this nature. These conditions include, among others: (i) Admission occurring in respect of the relevant placing of Shares; (ii) the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement becoming wholly unconditional in respect of the relevant placing of Shares (save as to Admission of those Shares) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms at any time prior to such Admission; and (iii) in relation to non-pre-emptive offerings, the issue price being not less than the then current Net Asset Value per Share.

The Company and the Directors have given warranties to Jefferies and Akur concerning, inter alia, the accuracy of the information contained in this Registration Document. The Company has also given indemnities to Jefferies and Akur. The warranties and indemnities given by the Company and the Directors are customary for an agreement of this nature.

The Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.2 The October 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement

The October 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement dated 8 October 2015 between the Company, the Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Jefferies agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for new Shares pursuant to the final placing undertaken by the Company in October 2015 under the First Share Issuance Programme.

In addition, under the October 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement, Akur was appointed as joint financial adviser and Jefferies was appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the placing.

The October 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.3 The July 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement

The July 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement dated 8 July 2015 between the Company, the Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Jefferies agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for new Shares pursuant to the third placing undertaken by the Company in July 2015 under the First Share Issuance Programme.

In addition, under the July 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement, Akur was appointed as joint financial adviser and Jefferies was appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the placing.

The July 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.4 The February 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement

The February 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement dated 25 February 2015 between the Company, the Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Jefferies agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for new Shares pursuant to the second placing undertaken by the Company in February 2015 under the First Share Issuance Programme.

In addition, under the February 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement, Akur was appointed as joint financial adviser and Jefferies was appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the placing.

The February 2015 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.5 The October 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement

The October 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement dated 30 October 2014 between the Company, the directors of the Company on such date, Jefferies and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Jefferies agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for new Shares pursuant to the first placing undertaken by the Company in November 2014 under the First Share Issuance Programme.

In addition, under the October 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement, Akur was appointed as joint financial adviser and Jefferies was appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the establishment of the First Share Issuance Programme and the first placing under it.

The October 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.6 The June 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement

The June 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement dated 16 June 2014 between the Company, the directors of the Company on such date, LCPP, Dexion Capital plc and Akur, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, Dexion Capital plc agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for new Shares pursuant to the placing undertaken by the Company in June 2014.

In addition, under the June 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement, Akur was appointed as joint financial adviser and Dexion Capital plc was appointed as sponsor, joint financial adviser, sole global coordinator and bookrunner in connection with the Company's IPO and its first placing.

The June 2014 Placing and Offer for Subscription Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.7 The RBS Facility Agreement

Pursuant to the RBS Facility Agreement dated 24 October 2014 (as amended on 27 November 2014 and amended and restated on 23 February 2015) and made between (inter alios) Empiric Investments (One) Limited (the "Borrower"), (the parties listed therein as guarantors together with the Borrower, the "Obligors"), RBS (as arranger, agent, security trustee and original lender) (the "Lender") and National Westminster Bank PLC (acting as account bank and hedge counterparty) (the "RBS Facility Agreement") the Lender has made available to the Borrower a revolving (re-drawable) term loan facility of £55.5 million (the "RBS Loan").

The purpose of the RBS Loan is for such lawful purposes as the Borrower may decide (including property acquisitions, property re-financings, funding for joint ventures (investment or development), forward funding across the Group or among affiliates or as general working capital to be used in the ordinary course of business of the Group's/affiliates' investment, management, acquisition and developments of student accommodation assets) either directly or by on-lending amounts to the Obligors, or paying other relevant persons.

The Borrower may borrow the RBS Loan in the period from and including the date of the RBS Facility Agreement to and including the date falling 3 months before the Termination Date (as defined below) (the "Availability Period") by giving RBS a duly completed request (a "Utilisation Request"). Each date on which the loan is borrowed must fall within the Availability Period. Any undrawn commitments under the RBS Loan will be automatically cancelled at the end of the Availability Period.

In order to borrow further funds under the RBS Loan, amongst other conditions, the loan to value (following the utilisation) must not be greater than 50 per cent. and the total number of properties secured under the RBS Loan must be equal to or greater than six. The Borrower may bring Additional Properties (as defined in the RBS Facility Agreement) into the RBS Loan to ensure compliance with the requirements for further drawdowns, but the Lender has a right to refuse any proposed Additional Property, providing it acts reasonably in doing so subject to certain conditions.

The Borrower must repay the outstanding amount of the RBS Loan, together with all other amounts due under the Finance Documents (as defined therein), in full to the relevant parties on 24 October 2019 (the "Termination Date"). Prior to such date, the Borrower may, subject to the terms of the RBS Loan, reborrow monies that it has repaid.

The rate of interest on the RBS Loan for each interest period is the percentage rate per annum equal to the aggregate of the applicable: (a) Margin; and (b) LIBOR (both as defined in the RBS Facility Agreement). The Margin is 1.9 per cent. per annum. The interest payment dates are 31 January, 30 April, 31 July, 31 October and the Termination Date, with the first interest payment date being 31 January 2015.

The RBS Loan is secured by:

  • (a) a first ranking debenture over the assets of each Obligor (including the properties acquired at the time entered into or to be entered into by an Obligor) in favour of the Lender as security trustee;
  • (b) a standard security over a property located in Scotland entered into or to be entered into by an Obligor in favour of the Lender as security trustee;
  • (c) the assignation of rents derived from a property located in Scotland entered into or to be entered into by an Obligor in favour of the Lender as security trustee; and
  • (d) a legal charge in respect of real property acquired after the date of the RBS Facility Agreement by an Obligor.

The Company has not granted any security (including over the shares of the Borrower) to the Lender, but has entered into a subordination deed dated 24 October 2014 to regulate the ranking and payment of inter-company debts owing by the Obligors to the Company.

The RBS Facility Agreement contains undertakings, representations and warranties customary for a loan facility of this nature, including:

  • (a) a negative pledge not to create or allow to exist any security interest on any assets of the Obligors (including the shares in the Borrower); and
  • (b) restrictions on the disposal of assets.

The RBS Facility Agreement includes both a loan to value covenant ("LTV Covenant") and an interest cover covenant ("ICR Covenant"). The ICR Covenant requires that interest cover will not be less than 2:1 and is tested quarterly on each interest payment date (such dates as detailed above). The LTV Covenant requires that the loan to value should not at any time exceed 55 per cent. of the market value of the properties. The LTV Covenant may be tested at any time during the term of the RBS Loan. Any breach of the LTV Covenant (which is not remedied), and any breach of the ICR Covenant is an event of default under the RBS Facility Agreement.

In addition to the events of default arising from a breach of the LTV Covenant or the ICR Covenant, the RBS Facility Agreement includes other various events of default customary for a secured facility of this nature, including insolvency events of default which are applicable to each of the Obligors and the Company. An event of default which is continuing would entitle the Lender to:

  • (a) cancel all or any part of the total commitments under the RBS Loan; and/or
  • (b) declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents are: (i) immediately due and payable; and/or (ii) payable on demand; and/or

(c) exercise or direct RBS in its capacity as security trustee to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents.

The RBS Facility Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.8 The Canada Life Facility

The Canada Life Facility dated 11 May 2015 (as amended and restated on 29 February 2016) between Empiric Investments (Two) Limited (the "Borrower"), the companies listed in Schedule 1 of the agreement (the "Propcos") (together with the Borrower, the "Borrower Obligors") and Canada Life (the "Lender") (the "Canada Life Facility") under which the Lender has made available to the Borrower investment term loan facilities of £31.1 million ("Facility A") and £40 million ("Facility B") (the "Canada Life Loans").

The purpose of Facility A was to refinance the acquisition costs of the Original Properties (as defined in the Canada Life Facility) and the purpose of Facility B is to finance (or refinance) the acquisition costs of the Portfolio Two Original Properties (which are forward commitments that the Borrower has entered into sale agreements to purchase, but which it is not yet obliged to acquire).

The Borrower must repay Facility A in full on 14 May 2030 (the "Facility A Final Repayment Date"). The Borrower must repay £20 million of Facility B on 20 March 2024 and the remainder of Facility B on 25 July 2031 (the "Facility B Final Repayment Date").

Facility A was drawn-down in full on 14 May 2015.

On 27 July 2016, Facility B will be drawn-down in full and will be advanced to the Security Account (as defined in the Canada Life Facility). Interest will accrue on Facility B from 27 July 2016. Each of the Portfolio Two Original Properties has been given an Allocated Loan Amount (as defined in the Canada Life Facility).There are conditions precedent to the release of relevant Allocated Loan Amounts from the Security Account, which include, amongst other conditions precedent, practical completion and acquisition of the relevant Portfolio Two Original Property and the delivery of a first ranking legal charge over such relevant Portfolio Two Original Property in favour of the Lender. If, by the Longstop Date (1 June 2017), more than £5,000,000 is standing to the credit of the Security Account and has not been released, the Lender may require the Borrower to prepay all of Facility B. (This would only occur if the forward committed properties are not acquired and substitute properties are not agreed by Canada Life).

The rates of interest on the Canada Life Loans are the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of (a) the applicable Margin; and (b) the applicable Reference Gilt Rate (both as defined in the Canada Life Facility) (the "Interest Rate"). The Margin in respect of Facility A is 1.75 per cent per annum and the Margin in respect of Facility B is 2.01 per cent per annum. The amount of interest payable in respect of the Canada Life Loans shall be calculated by applying the Interest Rate to the amount of the Canada Life Loans, dividing the product of such calculation by four and rounding the resulting figure upwards to the nearest penny. The interest payment dates are 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 20 December in each year and the relevant Final Repayment Date.

The Canada Life Loans are secured by:

(a) a first ranking debenture dated 14 May 2015 granted by the Borrower and the First Propco's (as defined in the Canada Life Facility) and a debenture dated 29 February 2016 granted by the Borrower and the Second Propcos (as defined in the Canada Life Facility) each in favour of the Lender and incorporating (without limitation), (in the case of the First Propcos) legal mortgages over the Original Properties (or any Substitute Property (as defined therein)) situated in England and Wales, and in each case, fixed charges over the accounts (other than the tenancy deposit accounts), a share charge over the entire issued share capital of each of the Propcos, assignments by way of security in respect of the rental income (other than any rental income derived from the Original Properties (or any Substitute Properties) situated in Scotland (a "Scottish Property")), insurance policy proceeds and each property management agreement and floating charges over all of their other assets and undertakings;

  • (b) a standard security in respect of the Scottish Property dated 14 May 2015 and granted by the relevant Propco in favour of the Lender;
  • (c) the assignation of rents in respect of the Scottish Property dated 14 May 2015 granted by the relevant Propco in favour of the Lender;
  • (d) a share charge over the entire issued share capital of the Borrower dated 14 May 2015 entered into by Empiric Investment Holdings (Two) Limited (the "Parent") (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the owner of the entire issued share capital of the Borrower) in favour of the Lender;
  • (e) a duty of care deed to be entered into by the relevant Borrower Obligor, the relevant property manager and, if applicable, the Company, in favour of the Lender; and
  • (f) assignments by way of security dated 14 May 2015 and 29 February 2016 entered into by the Parent, the Borrower Obligors and the Lender incorporating, among other things, assignments of the rights and interests of the Parent in respect of any loan made by the Parent to the Borrower or by the Borrower to a Propco.

The Second Propcos will enter into supplemental legal charges to grant the Lender a first ranking charge over the relevant Portfolio Two Original Property when they have completed the acquisition of such property.

The Company, the Parent and the Borrower Obligors have further entered into subordination deeds dated 14 May 2015 and 29 February 2016 to regulate the ranking and payment of any inter-company debts owing by the Borrower Obligors to either the Borrower or the Parent.

The Canada Life Facility contains undertakings, representations and warranties customary for a loan facility of this nature, including:

  • (a) a negative pledge not to create or allow to exist any security interest on any assets of any Borrower Obligor; and
  • (b) restrictions on the disposal of assets.

The Canada Life Facility also includes loan to value covenants (the "LTV Covenants") and interest cover covenants (the "ICR Covenants").

Any breach of the LTV Covenant or an ICR Covenant (if not remedied) is an event of default under the Canada Life Facility and the Borrower may not exercise its rights to remedy the breach more than three times during the lifetime of the Canada Life Facility.

In addition to the events of default arising from a breach of the LTV Covenants or the ICR Covenants, the Canada Life Facility includes other events of default customary for a secured facility of this nature, including insolvency events of default which are applicable to each of the Borrower Obligors, the Parent and the Company. An event of default which is continuing would entitle the Lender to:

  • (a) cancel all or any part of the undrawn portion of the Canada Life Loans; and/or
  • (b) declare that all or part of the Canada Life Loans, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents are: (i) immediately due and payable; and/or (ii) payable on demand; and/or
  • (c) exercise all or any of its rights, remedies, powers and discretions under any of the Finance Documents.

The Canada Life Facility includes a mandatory prepayment obligation if any person acquires more than 50 per cent. ownership or control of the Company and Canada Life is not satisfied that the change of control does not have a negative impact on the risk profile of the Loans.

The Canada Life Facility is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.9 The Santander Loan Facility

The Santander Loan Facility dated 30 April 2014 as amended by an amendment letter dated 20 June 2015 (the "Amendment Letter") between Spring Roscoe Limited (the "Borrower") and Santander UK plc (the "Lender") (the "Santander Loan Facility") under which the Lender has made available to the Borrower a term loan facility of an amount not exceeding £19,410,000 (the "Santander Loan").

The Santander Loan was drawn down by way of a single advance within the Availability Period (which was 14 days from the date of entry into the Santander Loan Facility).

The Borrower must repay the Santander Loan in instalments by repaying an amount of £187,500 to the Lender quarterly from the Utilisation Date and quarterly thereafter (the "Interest Repayment Date"). The Borrower shall repay any amount of the Santander Loan outstanding and all other amounts owed to the Lender under the Santander Loan Facility on the date falling 5 years after the Utilisation Date (the "Final Repayment Date").

The rate of interest on the Santander Loan is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of (a) the Margin; and (b) LIBOR (both as defined in the Santander Loan Facility). The Margin is 2.5 per cent. per annum. If the Borrower fails to pay an amount payable to it under a Finance Document (as defined therein) on its due date, default interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment at a rate which is 2 per cent. higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted the Santander Loan for successive interest periods, each of a duration selected by the Lender (acting reasonably).

All obligations of the Borrower to the Lender under the Finance Documents (as defined therein) are secured by:

  • (a) all security granted in favour of the Lender existing at 30 April 2014 (if any) in relation to the obligations of the Borrower to the Lender and other companies within the Santander UK corporate group;
  • (b) the Security Documents (being the Existing Security (as defined therein), the Existing Security Confirmation (dated 20 June 2015) and any other documents that confers Security on the Lender or constitutes a guarantee, indemnity or other assurance in favour of the Lender); and

(c) all security which may be granted in favour of the Lender from time to time in relation to the obligations of the Borrower to the Lender.

The Santander Loan Facility contains undertakings, representations and warranties customary for a loan facility of this nature, including:

  • (a) a negative pledge not to create or allow to exist any security interest on any assets of the Borrower; and
  • (b) restrictions on the acquisition or disposal of assets.

The Santander Loan Facility also includes financial covenants (the "Financial Covenants") that apply while any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents. The Borrower must ensure that:

  • (a) in respect of each Relevant Period (as defined therein), annual rent shall be at least 120 per cent. of Annual Finance Costs (being the Annual Interest Costs (as defined in (b) below) and the repayment instalments in respect of the Santander Loan);
  • (b) in respect of each Relevant Period, annual rent shall be at least 225 per cent. of Annual Interest Costs (being the amount of interest, commission and similar amounts payable by the Borrower during the Relevant Period); and
  • (c) at all times the amount of the Santander Loan shall not exceed 60 per cent of the aggregate value of the properties.

The Financial Covenants shall be tested on each Interest Repayment Date and the Borrower shall supply to the Lender a compliance certificate within 10 days of each Financial Covenant test setting out the computations as to compliance with the above Financial Covenants.

The Santander Loan Facility includes events of default customary for a secured facility of this nature, including breach of the Financial Covenants, a breach of certain undertakings given by the Borrower, an insolvency event applicable to the Borrower or if the entire issued share capital of the Borrower ceases to be legally and beneficially owned by Empiric Acquisitions Limited. An event of default which is continuing would entitle the Lender to:

  • (a) cancel the Santander Loan Facility; and/or
  • (b) declare that all or part of the Santander Loan, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents are: (i) immediately due and payable; and/or (ii) payable on demand; and/or
  • (c) exercise all or any of its rights, remedies, powers and discretions under any of the Security Documents.

The Santander Loan Facility is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.10 The Brunswick House Development Facility Agreement

The Loan Facility Agreement dated 7 August 2014 (as amended on 18 November 2015) between Close Brothers Limited and Empiric (Southampton) Limited pursuant to which Close Brothers Limited has granted Empiric (Southampton) Limited a loan of £10,030,000 based on the terms and conditions set out in the agreement (as amended) (the "Facility"). The purpose of the Facility is to assist with the costs of building works at Brunswick House (including professional costs and fees and non-refundable VAT due), to contribute towards interest payments on the Facility and towards the cost of the contribution to be made under the terms of a S.106 agreement relating to the property.

The Facility shall expire on 31 December 2016 unless otherwise renewed. Notwithstanding this, the Facility is repayable on demand.

The Facility is secured by (i) a legal debenture over Empiric (Southampton) Limited's assets and undertaking, (ii) a legal charge over Brunswick House, (iii) an intercreditor deed between Close Brothers Limited, the Company and Revcap, (iv) appropriate collateral warranties from the contractor and other relevant professionals (including sub-contractors) involved in the development of Brunswick House, (v) an assignment by way of first charge over the performance bond in respect of the building contract (the bond being 10 per cent. of the building contract), (vi) an assignment of rental income from Brunswick House in favour of Close Brothers Limited and (vii) all existing and future security granted by Empiric (Southampton) Limited to Close Brothers Limited from time to time.

Interest on the Facility shall accrue daily on the total outstanding balance at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum above one month LIBOR fixed for each interest period. The minimum effective rate of interest payable shall be 5 per cent. per annum. Empiric (Southampton) Limited can capitalise monthly interest payments up to £350,000 and thereafter must provide sufficient funds to meet further interest payments. A release fee of £178,000 is payable by Empiric (Southampton) Limited upon the sale or letting of Brunswick House or upon the repayment in full or expiry of the Facility or, if at any time, the Facility goes into default.

The Loan Facility Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.11 The Brunswick House Joint Venture Documents

The following documents have been entered into in connection with the joint venture relating to Brunswick House (Southampton):

(a) Shareholders' Agreement

The Shareholders' Agreement dated 30 July 2014 between KH II 117 Limited ("KH II"), the Company (each a "Shareholder"), Empiric (Southampton) Limited, Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway and relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited, pursuant to which the Shareholders have recorded the terms on which they will continue as shareholders of Empiric (Southampton) Limited.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company, Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway (the "ESP Parties") undertake to disclose to KH II, from the date of the agreement until 7 July 2017, any Relevant Project (as defined in the Revcap Development Framework Agreement, the terms of which are summarised in paragraph 9.14 below) that has a total project cost of more than £3,000,000 (a "Business Opportunity"). The ESP Parties also undertake not to participate in any Business Opportunity unless it has first been rejected by KH II, deemed to have been rejected by KH II not expressly notifying the ESP Parties within 10 business days that it wishes to pursue such Business Opportunity or unless KH II has provided prior written consent to the ESP Parties.

Each of the Shareholders is obliged to enter into the Shareholders' Loan Agreement (the terms of which are summarised in paragraph 9.11(b) below) as a mechanism for providing funding for Brunswick House and its development (as set out in the relevant business plan).

After the expiration of the period of 36 months from the date of the agreement (the "Lock in Period"), either Shareholder will have the option to terminate the agreement by giving notice in writing (a "Trigger Notice") to the other. The Shareholders may not create an artificial deadlock. If a Trigger Notice is served, then there is a 1 month negotiation period during which the parties will enter into good faith discussions with a view to agreeing a mutually acceptable exit and failing successful resolution the Shareholders would trigger an auction process.

The agreement contains certain transfer limitations namely that a Shareholder may not assign, transfer or dispose of its shareholding before the Lock-in Period ends except for KH II who may make certain inter-group transfers and no transfer, assignment or disposal shall occur without repayment in full of any advances under the Shareholders' Loan Agreement and any additional and/or emergency funding made by the Shareholders including all interest accrued.

The Shareholders' Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

(b) Shareholders' Loan Agreement

The Shareholders' Loan Agreement dated 30 July 2014 between KH II, the Company (each a "Shareholder") and Empiric (Southampton) Limited and relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited pursuant to which each Shareholder has agreed to make loan facilities available to Empiric (Southampton) Limited to fund the business. Under the agreement, Empiric (Southampton) Limited can request, in writing, for a specified amount (an "Advance") not exceeding the maximum amount (£2,500,000 for each of KH II and the Company) for the purposes of meeting its business objectives and each Shareholder will provide this Advance within 10 business days. The Advance made by the Company shall be on an interest-free basis. The Advance made by KH II shall attract interest reflecting a 2 per cent. IRR. Each Advance shall be repayable in accordance with the provisions of the Brunswick House Shareholders' Agreement and immediately upon the sale of Brunswick House. On repayment of the Advance, Empiric (Southampton) Limited shall pay KH II a repayment fee calculated in accordance with the formula set out in the agreement.

The Shareholders' Loan Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

(c) Asset Management Agreement

The Asset Management Agreement dated 30 July 2014 between Empiric (Southampton) Limited, Empiric (Developments) Limited, Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway and relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited. Under this Agreement Empiric (Developments) Limited as Asset Manager will carry out certain services in relation to the management and operation of Empiric (Southampton) Limited on a day to day basis including under the terms of such appointment, co-ordinating and being responsible for payments owed by Empiric (Southampton) Limited for third party costs.

In consideration for the performance of its obligations, Empiric Developments shall be paid an amount equal to 3.5 per cent. of the building contract price in relation to the development of Brunswick House (Southampton) (the building contract to be in a form and price agreed by Empiric (Southampton) Limited). The appointment of Empiric Developments will continue unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement or if Empiric (Southampton) Limited ceases to own Brunswick House (Southampton) (and any other properties acquired by it).

The agreement may also be terminated by Empiric (Southampton) Limited (acting by the Revcap directors alone) on three months' prior written notice or on termination of the Brunswick House Shareholders' Agreement (the terms of which are summarised in paragraph (a) above). Empiric (Southampton) Limited (acting by the Revcap directors alone) may terminate the agreement without cause if the Shareholders' Agreement terminates due to an event of default on the part of the Company, if a trigger event occurs, if there is any mismanagement or negligence by Empiric Developments, a material breach of the agreement by Empiric Developments or if the Company ceases to be a shareholder of Empiric (Southampton) Limited.

The Asset Management Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.12 The Willowbank Joint Venture Documents

The following documents have been entered into in connection with the joint venture relating to Willowbank (Glasgow):

(a) Shareholders' Agreement

The Shareholders' Agreement dated 28 August 2014 between KH II, the Company, Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway and relating to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited. The terms of the Shareholder's Agreement are in materially identical form to the Shareholders' Agreement relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited, the terms of which are summarised in paragraph 9.11(a) above.

(b) Shareholders' Loan Agreement

The Shareholders' Loan Agreement dated 28 August 2014 between KH II, the Company and Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, and relating to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited. The terms of the Shareholder's Loan Agreement are in materially identical form to the Shareholders' Loan Agreement relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited, the terms of which are summarised in paragraph 9.11(b) above.

(c) Asset Management Agreement

The Asset Management Agreement dated 28 August 2014 between Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, Empiric Developments, Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway and relating to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited. The terms of the Asset Management Agreement are in materially identical form to the Asset Management Agreement relating to Empiric (Southampton) Limited, the terms of which are summarised in paragraph 9.11(c) above.

(d) The Fronting Agreement

The Fronting Agreement dated 28 August 2014 between Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, LCPP and the Company pursuant to which LCPP as trustee agreed to conclude a conditional contract (the "Missives") to acquire Willowbank, implement the instructions of Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, as beneficiary, concerning any due diligence relevant to Willowbank, submit and conduct any planning appeal or proceedings as may be requested by Empiric (Glasgow) Limited and if various preconditions are completed or waived, to allow Empiric (Glasgow) Limited to take title to Willowbank.

Under the agreement, LCPP has agreed to hold the Missives on trust for Empiric (Glasgow) Limited until such time as it can transfer title to Willowbank to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited subject to Empiric (Glasgow) Limited complying with any obligations of a new purchaser in terms of the Missives.

In return Empiric (Glasgow) Limited and the Company shall ensure that LCPP complies fully with its obligations and Empiric (Glasgow) Limited undertakes to pay all professional fees incurred on behalf of it in relation to the conclusion of the Missives, make all payments to be paid by LCPP in terms of the Missives to LCPP and make all payments to be paid by the Company in terms of the Guarantee (the terms of which are summarised in paragraph (e) below).

The total aggregate financial liability of the Company to LCPP under the Guarantee and the Fronting Agreement shall not exceed £4 million.

The Fronting Agreement is governed by Scots Law.

(e) The Guarantee

The Guarantee dated 15 August 2014 by the Company in favour of Glasgow City Council (the "Council") to guarantee payment of the purchase price of Willowbank in full by LCPP under the Missives and the obligations undertaken by LCPP in terms of the appended minute of agreement in relation to the Council.

The Company, as guarantor, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to the Council full and punctual payment and/or performance by LCPP of all of LCPP's present and future obligations (the "Obligations") up to a maximum liability of £4 million and failing payment and/or performance of the Obligations, the Company will make payment or effect performance of the Obligations, together with all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Council in connection with the enforcement of the Guarantee together with interest but excluding other liabilities and expenses incurred by the Council by reason of such failure.

The Guarantee will be enforceable so long as any liability on the part of LCPP in relation to the Missives or the minute of agreement, or on the part of the Company under this Guarantee, remains unfulfilled and will not be discharged or prejudiced by any release or neglect of an obligation by the Council or any variation of the terms of the minute of agreement or the Missives.

The Council has the right to assign or transfer the Guarantee to any statutory successor of the Council but not to anyone else. The Company has no right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations under the Guarantee. If LCPP sells Willowbank then the Company must provide a replica guarantee to the Council in respect of the obligations of any new owner at which point, provided that the new owner is of sound financial standing and can perform its obligations under its guarantee, the Council shall grant the Company a valid discharge of the Guarantee.

The obligations of LCPP survive liquidation of LCPP and other insolvency events and will continue to be due and outstanding until fully paid or performed by the Company or until it reaches its maximum liability.

The Guarantee is governed by Scots law.

9.13 The Willowbank Development Facility Agreement

The Loan Facility Agreement dated 17 March 2015 between Close Brothers Limited and Empiric (Glasgow) Limited pursuant to which Close Brothers Limited has granted Empiric (Glasgow) Limited a loan of £10,140,000 based on the terms and conditions set out in the agreement (the "Willowbank Facility").

The purpose of the Willowbank Facility is to provide, £9,750,000 towards the building works at the property known as Willowbank (Glasgow) (including professional costs and fees and non-refundable VAT due) and £390,000 towards interest payments on the Willowbank Facility.

The Willowbank Facility shall expire on the earlier of 31 January 2017 or the last calendar day of the eighteenth month from drawdown above.

The Willowbank Facility is secured by (i) a floating charge over Empiric (Glasgow) Limited's assets and undertaking, (ii) a first standard security over the property known as Willowbank, (iii) an intercreditor deed between Close Brothers Limited and Glasgow City Council granting Close Brothers Limited unlimited priority in respect of Glasgow City Council's charge over the property known as Willowbank and any overage payment that may become payable pursuant to the Overage Agreement (as defined therein), (iv) an intercreditor deed between Close Brothers Limited, the Company and Revcap, (v) appropriate collateral warranties from the building contractor and other relevant professionals involved in the development of the property known as Willowbank and (vi) all existing and future security granted by Empiric (Glasgow) Limited to Close Brothers Limited from time to time.

Interest on the Willowbank Facility shall accrue daily on the total outstanding balance at the rate of 4.5 per cent. per annum above one month LIBOR fixed for each interest period. The minimum effective rate of interest payable shall be 5.5 per cent. per annum. Empiric (Glasgow) Limited can capitalise monthly interest payments up to £390,000 and thereafter must provide sufficient funds to meet further interest payments. A release fee of £195,000 is payable by Empiric (Glasgow) Limited upon the sale or letting of the property known as Willowbank or upon the repayment in full or expiry of the Willowbank Facility or if, at any time, the Facility goes into default.

The Willowbank Facility is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.14 The Revcap Development Framework Agreement

The Revcap Development Framework Agreement dated 16 June 2014 between Revcap and the Company. The Revcap Development Framework Agreement sets out a framework under which the Company and Revcap agree to cooperate through a joint venture to identify, acquire, secure planning and develop suitable properties and sites that can be developed or converted into prime student residential accommodation across Russell Group (or similar quality) university cities (a "Relevant Project").

Each project will be acquired via a separate joint venture company and will be owned 50/50 between the Company (or a subsidiary of the Company) and an affiliated Revcap company. For a period of 36 months (the "Lock up Period"), both the Company and Revcap will each contribute a maximum of up to £15 million in capital to all such joint venture projects. Such capital will be drawn down from the Company and Revcap, in equal proportion, into development joint ventures as required.

In connection with each joint venture development with Revcap, Empiric Developments will enter into an asset management agreement pursuant to which Empiric Developments will be responsible for the day-to-day project management of each joint venture development. During the construction period, Empiric Developments will receive a fee equal to 3.5 per cent. of the pre-agreed construction cost, payable quarterly. Empiric Developments will also be entitled to receive an incentive profit share from each joint venture development, based on the IRR achieved. Distributions relating to a joint venture project will be distributed in the following order of priority: (i) first, pari passu between the joint venture parties until each has received an IRR of 20 per cent. on invested capital, and (ii) second 20 per cent. to Empiric Developments and 80 per cent. pari passu between the Company and Revcap.

The Company will have a right to procure repayment by a joint venture company of the Revcap shareholder loan and to purchase Revcap's interest in the joint venture company. If the offer to repay the Revcap shareholder loan is approved by unanimous approval of the members' board, the Company would procure that the joint venture company repays the loan and pays a repayment fee equal to Revcap's agreed profit share for the project. If this right is exercised, the IRR incentive profit share (if any) due to the Company (as described above) would be reflected in an adjustment to the amount due on repayment of the Revcap shareholder loan. This pre-emption process would be capable of being triggered only once in relation to each relevant transaction.

After expiration of the period of 36 months from the entry into of the joint venture (the "Lock-in Period"), either the Company or Revcap will have the option of winding up the joint venture by providing notice to the other.

The Company, Paul Hadaway or Timothy Attlee (or any associates of Paul Hadaway or Timothy Attlee) (together the "ESP Parties"), undertake to disclose any Relevant Project to Revcap for a period of three years from the date of the agreement that has a total project cost of more than £3,000,000.

The Revcap Development Framework Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.15 The Investment Support Agreement

The Investment Support Agreement dated 16 June 2014 (as amended) between Revcap and the Company pursuant to which Revcap was appointed by the Company to provide certain investment support services to the Board in connection with the operation of its business.

Under the Investment Support Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Revcap as consideration for the provision of its services a fee which shall accrue annually at a rate of 0.2 per cent of the Net Asset Value (but adjusted to exclude any cash balances held by the Company from time to time), which fee shall be payable in arrears each quarter based on the last published Net Asset Value (calculated before deduction of any accrued fee for that quarter) but subject always to a minimum annual payment of £200,000 and a capped maximum annual payment of £300,000. Fees payable will be subject to VAT.

The Investment Support Agreement and the appointment of Revcap shall continue in force unless and until terminated by the Company or Revcap giving to the other not less than 12 months' written notice, such notice not to be served before 30 June 2016. The agreement may also be terminated immediately by the Company on the occurrence of certain events.

The Investment Support Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.16 Depositary Agreement

The Depositary Agreement dated 27 November 2014 entered into between the Company and Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited pursuant to which the Company appointed the Depositary to act as the sole depositary of the Company and be responsible for: (i) ensuring the Company's cash flows are properly monitored; (ii) the safe keeping of the assets of the Company; and (iii) the oversight and supervision of the Company (as its own AIFM).

Under the terms of the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary is entitled to an initial fee of £3,000 and a depositary fee of £20,000 per annum but subject to increase in line with the increase in the Company's assets under management up to a maximum fee of £40,000 per annum (exclusive of VAT). The Depositary is entitled to reimbursement of all expenses (exclusive of VAT) properly incurred in connection with its duties.

The Depositary Agreement is terminable by either the Company on one month's written notice or the Depositary on three months' written notice (unless it is unable for regulatory reasons to perform its duties in which case it can terminate on one month's notice). The Depositary Agreement may be terminated with immediate effect by either the Company or the Depositary on the occurrence of certain events, including inter alia: the Depositary ceasing to be an authorised person permitted under FSMA to act as a depositary, the Company ceasing to be authorised as an internally managed AIF, a breach of warranty by the Company or in the case of insolvency of the Company.

The Company has given certain market standard indemnities in favour of the Depositary in respect of the Depositary's potential losses in carrying on its responsibilities under the Depositary Agreement.

The Depositary Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.17 The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement

The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement dated 16 June 2014 between the Company and FIM Capital Limited pursuant to which the Administrator agreed to act as company secretary and administrator to the Company and its subsidiaries.

Under the terms of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to a fee of £30,000 per annum (exclusive of VAT). This fee is subject to review annually.

The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement contains provisions whereby the Company indemnifies and holds harmless the Administrator, its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all losses incurred by such parties resulting or arising from the Company's breach of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement except to the extent that any such claims have resulted from the negligence, fraud, breach of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement by the Administrator.

The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement is terminable, inter alia, (a) upon six months' written notice, or (b) immediately upon the occurrence of certain events including the insolvency of the Company or the Administrator or a party committing a material breach of the Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement (where such breach has not been remedied within thirty days of written notice being given).

The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.18 The Registrar Agreement

The Registrar Agreement dated 16 June 2014 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services PLC pursuant to which the Registrar agreed to act as registrar to the Company.

Under the agreement, the Registrar is entitled to a fee calculated on the basis of the number of Shareholders and the number of transfers processed (exclusive of any VAT). The Registrar is also entitled to reimbursement of all out of pocket costs, expenses and charges properly incurred on behalf of the Company.

The Registrar Agreement may be terminated on six months' notice by either party, such notice not to expire prior to the end of the second year of appointment and is also terminable on shorter notice in the event of breach of the agreement or insolvency.

The Company has given certain market standard indemnities in favour of the Registrar in respect of the Registrar's potential losses in carrying on its responsibilities under the Registrar Agreement. The Registrar's liabilities under the Registrar Agreement are subject to a cap.

The Registrar Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

9.19 The Receiving Agent Agreement

The Receiving Agent Agreement dated 1 March 2016 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services PLC pursuant to which the Receiving Agent has agreed to act as receiving agent in connection with the Initial Open Offer and the Initial Offer for Subscription. Under the terms of the agreement, the Receiving Agent is entitled to a fee at an hourly rate, plus a processing fee per application. The Receiving Agent will also be entitled to reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with its duties.

The Company has given certain market standard indemnities in favour of the Receiving Agent in respect of the Receiving Agent's potential losses in carrying on its responsibilities under the Receiving Agent Agreement. The Receiving Agent's liabilities under the Receiving Agent Agreement are subject to a cap.

The Receiving Agent Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

10. LITIGATION

There are no governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings, (including any such proceedings pending or threatened of which the Company is aware) during a period covering at least the previous 12 months which may have, or have had in the recent past, a significant effect on the Company and/or the Group's financial position or profitability.

11. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE

Save to the extent disclosed below, there has been no significant change in the financial or trading position of the Group since 31 December 2015, being the end of the period covered by the historical financial information:

  • 11.1 the second interim dividend of 1.5 pence per Share was declared on 1 March 2016 in relation to the quarter ended 31 December 2015; and
  • 11.2 the entry into of the amendment and restatement of the Canada Life Facility to create the new Facility B in an amount of £40 million.

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Save for the entry into of, (i) the sale and purchase agreements relating to the acquisition of College Green (Bristol), Summit House (Cardiff), Picturehouse Apartments (Exeter) and Edge Apartments (Birmingham), (ii) the Guarantee, and (iii) the Fronting Agreement, the Company has not entered into any related party transaction at any time during the period from incorporation to the date of this Registration Document.

13. PRINCIPAL BASES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The Principal Bases and Assumptions used in calculating the dividends, total shareholder return and targeted annual growth in Net Asset Value figures given in this Registration Document in relation to the Shares are:

Issue size £90 million
Investment basis Invested on a straight line basis from Initial
Admission to the end of August 2016 in respect of
standing assets
Occupancy assumption 97.5 per cent. occupancy across the portfolio
Tenancy contract length 51 weeks
Rental inflation 3.0 per cent. per annum
Total expense ratio 1.2 per cent. at the time of full investment of the net
proceeds of the Initial Issue
Leverage ratio (LTV) 35 per cent.
Development portfolio allocation Average of
15
per cent. of Net Asset Value
(excluding land costs and development costs
funded by debt)
Development portfolio timing (acquisition
to practical completion)
12-24 months from deployment of development
capital
Net initial yield on standing assets 6.25 per cent.
Yield on costs on forward funded assets 7.5 per cent.

Shareholders should note that these principal bases and assumptions do not constitute a profit forecast and the Company's actual returns will be based on a number of factors, any one of which, if not achieved, may result in a lower rate of return to Shareholders.

14. GENERAL

14.1 CBRE Limited has given and not withdrawn its written consent to the inclusion in this document of references to its name in the form and context in which it appears and has authorised the contents of the Valuation Report for the purposes of Prospectus Rule 5.5.3R(2)(f). CBRE accepts responsibility for the Valuation Report. To the best of the knowledge and belief of CBRE (who has taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in the Valuation Report is in accordance with the facts and contains no omission likely to affect the import of such information. CBRE was incorporated in England and Wales on 27 March 1998 as a private limited company under the Companies Act 2006 (registered number 03536032). CBRE's registered office is situated at St Martin's Court, 10 Paternoster Row, London EC4M 7HP (telephone number 0207 182 2000).

  • 14.2 BDO LLP of 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU is the auditor and reporting accountant for the Group and has been the only auditor of the Company since its incorporation. BDO LLP is a UK limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127) and is a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
  • 14.3 Where third party information has been referenced in this document, the source of that third party information has been disclosed. All information in this document that has been sourced from third parties has been accurately reproduced and, as far as the Company is aware and able to ascertain from information published by such third parties, no facts have been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading.
  • 14.4 The accounting reference date of the Company is 30 June.
  • 14.5 The assets of the Group are held and controlled by the Group directly and no assets are held in third party custody arrangements.

15. DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION

  • 15.1 Copies of the following documents will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company and the offices of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU during normal business hours on any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays excepted) for the life of this Registration Document:
  • (a) the memorandum of association of the Company and the Articles;
  • (b) the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the period from incorporation to 30 June 2015;
  • (c) the interim report and the consolidated financial statements for the six month period from 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015;
  • (d) the Valuation Report; and
  • (e) this Registration Document, the Summary and the Securities Note.

PART 9

DEFINITIONS AND GLOSSARY

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

Administration and Company
Secretarial Agreement
the administration and company secretarial agreement
between the Company and the Administrator, a summary of
which is set out in paragraph
9.17
of Part 8 of this
Registration Document
Administrator FIM Capital Limited, in its capacity as the Company's
administrator and company secretary
Admission admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main
Market of Shares becoming effective in accordance with the
LSE Admission Standards and admission of Shares to the
premium listing segment of the Official List becoming
effective in accordance with the Listing Rules
AIC the Association of Investment Companies
AIC Code the AIC Code of Corporate Governance, as amended from
time to time
AIC Guide the AIC Corporate Governance Guide for Investment
Companies, as amended from time to time
AIF an alternative investment fund
AIFM an alternative investment fund manager
AIFM Directive the European Union's Alternative Investment Fund Managers
directive (No. 2071/61/EU) and all legislation made pursuant
thereto,
including,
where
applicable,
the
applicable
implementing legislation and regulations in each member
state of the European Union
AIFM Regulations the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013
of the United Kingdom (SI 2013/1773)
Akur Akur Limited
Articles the articles of association of the Company
Audit Committee the audit committee of the Board
Brunswick House Development
Facility Agreement
the loan facility agreement dated 7 August 2014 between
Close Brothers Limited and Empiric (Southampton) Limited, a
summary of which is set out in paragraph 9.10 of Part 8 of this
Registration Document
Business Day any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day,
Good Friday or a bank holiday in the City of London
Canada Life Canada Life Limited
Canada Life Loans the investment term loan facilities of £31.1 million and £40
million pursuant to the Canada Life Facility
Canada Life Facility the facility agreement dated 11 May 2015 (as amended and
restated on 29 February 2016) between Empiric Investments
(Two) Limited (as borrower), the companies listed in
Schedule 1 therein and Canada Life Limited, a summary of
which is set out in paragraph 9.8 of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
Capital gains tax or CGT UK taxation of capital gains or corporation tax on chargeable
gains, as the context may require
certificated or in certificated
form
not in uncertificated form
Companies Act or Act the Companies Act 2006 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
Company Empiric Student Property Plc
CREST Manual the compendium of documents entitled "CREST Manual"
issued by Euroclear from time-to-time
CREST the computerised settlement system operated by Euroclear
which facilitates the transfer of title to shares in uncertificated
form
CTA 2009 Corporation Tax Act 2009 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
CTA 2010 Corporation Tax Act 2010 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
Depositary Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited
Depositary Agreement the depositary agreement between the Company and the
Depositary, a summary of which is set out in paragraph 9.16
of Part 8 of this Registration Document
Directors or Board the board of directors of the Company
direct let agreements direct leases and/or licences for a dwelling with students
Disclosure and Transparency
Rules
the disclosure and transparency rules made by the Financial
Conduct Authority under Section 73A of FSMA
Distribution any dividend or other distribution on or in respect of the
Shares of the Company and references to a Distribution
being paid include a distribution not involving a cash payment
being made
Distribution Transfer a disposal or transfer (however effected) by a person of his
rights to a Distribution from the Company such that he is not
beneficially entitled (directly or indirectly) to such a
Distribution and no person who is so entitled subsequent to
such disposal or transfer (whether the immediate transferee
or not) is (whether as a result of the transfer or not) a
Substantial Shareholder
Distribution Transfer Certificate a certificate in such form as the Directors may specify from
time to time to the effect that the relevant person has made a
Distribution Transfer, which certificate may be required by the
Directors to satisfy them that a Substantial Shareholder is not
beneficially entitled (directly or indirectly) to a Distribution
EBT the employee benefit trust of the Group under which the LTIP
operates
Empiric Developments Empiric
(Developments)
Limited,
the
wholly-owned
subsidiary
of
the
Company
established
to
receive
development
management
fees
from
the
Group's
development projects
EPRA the European Public Real Estate Association
ERISA U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1976, as
amended
EU the European Union
Euroclear Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, being the operator of CREST
Excess Charge in relation to a Distribution which is paid or payable to a
person, all tax or other amounts which the Directors consider
may become payable by the Company under Section 551 of
the CTA 2010 and any interest, penalties, fines or surcharge
attributable to such tax as a result of such Distribution being
paid to or in respect of that person
Excluded Shareholders subject to certain exceptions, Shareholders who have a
registered address in, who are incorporated in, registered in
or otherwise resident or located in any Excluded Territory
Excluded Territory Australia, Canada, Japan and the Republic of South Africa
Executive Directors the executive directors of the Company being at the date of
this Registration Document, Paul Hadaway, Timothy Attlee
and Michael Enright
FCA the Financial Conduct Authority
February 2015 Placing and Offer
for Subscription Agreement
the placing and offer for subscription agreement dated
25 February 2015 entered into between the Company, the
Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, a summary of which
is set out in paragraph 9.4 of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
First Share Issuance Programme the first share issuance programme established by the
Company as described in the prospectus dated 30 October
2014
FRI full repairing and insuring
Fronting Agreement the agreement dated 28 August 2014 entered into between
Empiric (Glasgow) Limited, LCPP and the Company, a
summary of which is set out in paragraph 9.12(d) of Part 8 of
this Registration Document
FSMA the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and any
statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time
being in force
Future Securities Note a securities note to be issued in the future by the Company in
respect of each issue (not being a Placing Only Issue), if any,
of Shares (other than pursuant to the Initial Issue) made
pursuant to this Registration Document and subject to
separate approval by the FCA
Future Summary a summary to be issued in the future by the Company in
respect of each issue (not being a Placing Only Issue), if any,
of Shares (other than pursuant to the Initial Issue) made
pursuant to this Registration Document and subject to
separate approval by the FCA
Fully Let an occupancy and/or income level of the operating portfolio of
97.5 per cent. or more;
Group the Company and the other companies in its group for the
purposes of Section 606 of CTA 2010
Gross Asset Value the aggregate value of the total assets of the Company as
determined in accordance with the accounting principles
adopted by the Company from time-to-time
Guarantee the guarantee dated 15 August 2014 entered into between
the Company and Glasgow City Council, a summary of which
is set out in paragraph 9.12(e) of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
HEI higher education institute
HMRC Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by
the European Union
Initial Admission Admission pursuant to the Initial Issue
Initial Issue together, the Initial Open Offer, the Initial Placing and the
Initial Offer for Subscription
Initial Offer for Subscription the first offer for subscription of Shares pursuant to the Share
Issuance Programme (and forming part of the Initial Issue)
which is expected to close on 16 March 2016
Initial Open Offer the first conditional offer to Qualifying Shareholders pursuant
to the Share Issuance Programme (and forming part of the
Initial Issue) which is expected to close 16 March 2016,
constituting an invitation to apply for Shares, on the terms and
subject to the conditions set out in the Securities Note
Initial Placing the first placing of Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance
Programme (and forming part of the Initial Issue) which is
expected to close on 1 March 2016
interest in the Company includes, without limitation, an interest in a Distribution made
or to be made by the Company
Investment Support Agreement the investment support agreement entered into between the
Company and Revcap, a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.15 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
IPO the admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange's
Main Market of the share capital of the Company and
admission of Shares to the premium listing segment of the
Official List on 30 June 2014
IRR internal rate of return
ISA UK individual savings account
ISIN International Securities Identification Number
ITA the Income Tax Act 2007 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
Jefferies Jefferies International Limited
July 2015 Placing and Offer
for Subscription Agreement
the placing and offer for subscription agreement dated 8 July
2015 entered into between the Company, the Executive
Directors, Jefferies and Akur, a summary of which is set out
in paragraph 9.3 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
June 2014 Placing and Offer
for Subscription Agreement
the placing and offer for subscription agreement dated
16
June 2014 entered into between the Company, the
directors as at that date, London Cornwall Property Partners,
Dexion Capital plc and Akur, a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.6 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
LCPP London Cornwall Property Partners Limited
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
Listing Rules the listing rules made by the UK Listing Authority pursuant to
Part VI of the FSMA
London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange plc
LTIP the Company's long term incentive plan, a summary of the
key terms of which is set out in paragraph 6.1 of Part 8 of this
Registration Document
Main Market the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed
securities
member account ID the identification code or number attached to any member
account in CREST
Net Asset Value or NAV the value, as at any date, of the assets of the Company after
deduction of all liabilities determined in accordance with the
accounting
policies
adopted
by
the
Company
from
time-to-time
Net Asset Value per Share or
NAV per Share
at any time the Net Asset Value attributable to the Shares
divided by the number of Shares in issue (other than Shares
held in treasury) at the date of calculation
Nominations Committee the nominations committee of the Board
Non-PID Dividend a distribution by the Company which is not a PID
October 2014 Placing and Offer
for Subscription Agreement
the placing and offer for subscription agreement dated
30 October 2014 entered into between the Company, the
directors as at that date, Jefferies and Akur, a summary of
which is set out in paragraph 9.5 of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
October 2015 Placing and Offer
for Subscription Agreement
the placing and offer for subscription agreement dated
8
October 2015 entered into between the Company, the
Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, a summary of which
is set out in paragraph 9.2 of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
Office the registered office for the time being of the Company
Official List the Official List of the UK Listing Authority
Overseas Persons a potential investor who is not resident in, or who is not a
citizen of, the UK
person includes a body of persons, corporate or unincorporated,
wherever domiciled
PID or Property Income
Distribution
the distribution by the Company of the profits of the
Company's Property Rental Business by way of a dividend in
cash or the issue of share capital in lieu of a cash dividend in
accordance with Section 530 of the CTA 2010
Placing Only Issue an issue under the Share Issuance Programme which
comprises only a placing and does not include an offer for
subscription or an open offer component
Principal Bases and
Assumptions
the principal bases and assumptions set out in paragraph 13
of Part 8 of this Registration Document
Property Portfolio the current property portfolio as at the date of this document
as set out in Part 2 of this Registration Document
Property Rental Business the qualifying property rental business in the UK and
elsewhere of UK resident companies within a REIT and
non-UK resident companies within a REIT with a UK
qualifying property rental business
Prospectus the prospectus prepared in accordance with the Prospectus
Rules comprising this Registration Document, the Securities
Note and the Summary, each dated 1 March 2016
Prospectus Directive the EU Prospectus Directive 2003/71/EC
Prospectus Rules the prospectus rules made by the Financial Conduct Authority
under Section 73A of FSMA
Qualifying Shareholders holders of Shares on the register of members of the Company
at the Record Date with the exclusion of Excluded
Shareholders
RBS The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
RBS Loan the investment term loan facility of up to £55.5 million
pursuant to the RBS Facility Agreement
RBS Facility Agreement the facility agreement dated 24 October 2014 between (inter
alium) Empiric Investments (One) Limited, RBS (acting as
agent for National Westminster Bank Plc) and the financial
lenders listed therein, a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.7 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
Receiving Agent Computershare Investor Services PLC, in its capacity as the
Company's receiving agent
Receiving Agent Agreement the receiving agent agreement between the Company and
the Receiving Agent, a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.19 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
Record Date 5.00 p.m. on 26 February 2016
Register the register of members of the Company
Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC, in its capacity as the
Company's registrar
Registrar Agreement the registrar agreement between the Company and the
Registrar, a summary of which is set out in paragraph 9.18 of
Part 8 of this Registration Document
Regulation S Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act
Regulatory Information Service a service authorised by the UKLA to release regulatory
announcements to the London Stock Exchange
REIT or Real Estate Investment
Trust
a Real Estate Investment Trust as defined in Part 12 of the
CTA 2010
REIT Notice the notice by the Company for the Group to become a REIT
Relevant Registered Shareholder a Shareholder who holds all or some of the shares in the
Company that comprise a Substantial Shareholding (whether
or not a Substantial Shareholder)
Remuneration Committee the remuneration committee of the Board
Residual Business that part of the business of companies within a REIT that is
not part of the Property Rental Business
Reporting Obligation any obligation from time to time of the Company to provide
information or reports to HMRC as a result of or in connection
with the Company's status, or the Group's status as a REIT
Revcap Revcap Advisors Limited
Revcap Development Framework
Agreement
the joint venture development framework agreement between
the Company and Revcap, a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.14 of Part 8 of this Registration Document
RICS Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RPI Retail Price Index, an inflationary indicator that measures the
change in the cost of a fixed basket of retail goods as
calculated on a monthly basis by the Office of National
Statistics
Russell Group the Russell Group is an association of 24 British public
research universities
Santander Santander UK plc
Santander Loan the term loan facility made pursuant to the Santander Loan
Facility
Santander Loan Facility the facility agreement dated 30 April 2014 as amended on
20 June 2015 between Spring Roscoe Limited (as borrower)
and Santander (as lender), a summary of which is set out in
paragraph 9.9 of Part 8 of this Registration Document;
SDLT stamp duty land tax
SDRT stamp duty reserve tax
Securities Note the securities note dated
1 March
2016 issued by the
Company in respect of the Shares made available pursuant
to the Initial Issue and approved by the FCA
Shareholder a holder of Shares
Shares ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company
Share Issuance Programme the programme under which the Company intends to issue
Shares in Tranches on the terms set out in the Summary and
the Securities Note (and any Future Summary and Future
Securities Note)
Share Issuance Programme
Placing Agreement
the agreement relating to the Share Issuance Programme
and the issues thereunder (including the Initial Issue) dated
1
March
2016 entered into between the Company, the
Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, a summary of which
is set out in paragraph 9.1 of Part 8 of this Registration
Document
SIPP a self-invested personal pension as defined in Regulation 3 of
the UK Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on
Discretion to Approve) (Permitted Investments) Regulations
2001
soft nominations agreement a pari passu marketing arrangement with an HEI to place
their students in private accommodation
SSAS a small self-administered scheme as defined in Regulation 2
of the UK Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on
Discretion to Approve) (Small Self-Administered Schemes)
Regulations 1991
Sterling or £ the lawful currency of the United Kingdom
Substantial Shareholder any person whose interest in the Company, whether legal or
beneficial, direct or indirect, may cause the Company to be
liable to pay tax under Section 551 of CTA 2010 (as such
legislation may be modified, supplemented or replaced from
time to time) on or in connection with the making of a
Distribution to or in respect of such person including, at the
date of adoption of the Articles, any holder of excessive rights
as defined in Section 553 of CTA 2010
Substantial Shareholding the Shares in relation to which or by virtue of which (in whole
or in part) a person is a Substantial Shareholder
Summary the summary dated 1 March 2016 issued by the Company in
respect of the Shares made available pursuant to the Initial
Issue and approved by the FCA
Takeover Code the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Tranches each a Tranche a tranche of Shares issued under the Share Issuance
Programme
UK Corporate Governance Code the UK Corporate Governance Code as published by the
Financial Reporting Council from time-to-time
UKLA Model Code the Model Code for directors' dealings contained in the Listing
Rules of the UKLA
UK Listing Authority or UKLA the FCA acting in its capacity as the competent authority for
the purposes of Part VI of FSMA
UK Money Laundering
Regulations
the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2007, as amended
United Kingdom or UK the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
U.S. Code U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
U.S. Exchange Act U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
U.S. Investment Company Act U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
U.S. Person any person who is a U.S. person within the meaning of
Regulation S adopted under the U.S. Securities Act
U.S. Securities Act U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Valuation Report the valuation report prepared by CBRE in relation to the
Property Portfolio, as set out at Part 6 of this Registration
Document
Valuer or CBRE CBRE Limited, in its capacity as the Company's external
valuer
VAT value added tax
Willowbank the former Willowbank Primary School, Glasgow, further
details of which are set out in Part 2 of this Registration
Document

THIS SECURITIES NOTE, THE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT AND THE SUMMARY ARE IMPORTANT AND REQUIRE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt about the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice immediately from an independent financial adviser who is authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) ("FSMA") if you are in the United Kingdom, or from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser if you are in a territory outside the United Kingdom.

This Securities Note, the Registration Document and the Summary together constitute a prospectus relating to Empiric Student Property Plc (the "Company") (the "Prospectus") prepared in accordance with the Prospectus Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") made pursuant to section 84 of FSMA and has been filed with the FCA in accordance with Rule 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules. The Prospectus will be made available to the public in accordance with Rule 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules at www.empiric.co.uk.

The Prospectus has been issued in connection with the issue of up to 165 million Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme. The Company may issue up to 165 million Shares in one or more tranches throughout the period commencing 1 March 2016 and ending 28 February 2017 pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme.

Applications will be made to the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange for all of the Shares issued pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme to be admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.

ONLY THE COMBINED SECURITIES NOTE, REGISTRATION DOCUMENT AND SUMMARY COMPRISE, AND MAY BE RELIED UPON AS, THE PROSPECTUS.

EMPIRIC STUDENT PROPERTY PLC

(incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 08886906 and registered as an investment company under Section 833 of the Companies Act)

SECURITIES NOTE

Share Issuance Programme of up to 165 million Shares

(Including the Initial Placing, the Initial Open Offer and the Initial Offer for Subscription)

Sponsor, Joint Financial Adviser and Sole Global Coordinator and Bookrunner Joint Financial Adviser

JEFFERIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AKUR LIMITED

The Company and the Directors, whose names appear on page 10 of this Securities Note, accept responsibility for the information contained in the Prospectus. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Company and the Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in the Prospectus is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Potential investors should read the whole of this Securities Note, together with the Registration Document and the Summary and, in particular, their attention is drawn to the risk factors set out on pages 7 to 9 of this Securities Note and those set out in the Registration Document.

Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of the Prospectus) as a client in relation to the Share Issuance Programme, the Initial Issue and Initial Admission and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Jefferies, nor for providing advice in connection with the Share Issuance Programme, the Initial Issue, Initial Admission, the contents of the Prospectus or any matters referred to therein.

Akur Limited ("Akur") is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA. Akur is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of the Prospectus) as a client in relation to the Share Issuance Programme, the Initial Issue and Initial Admission and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Akur, nor for providing advice in connection with the Share Issuance Programme, the Initial Issue, Initial Admission, the contents of the Prospectus or any matters referred to therein.

The Initial Open Offer will remain open until 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, the Initial Placing will remain open until 3.00 p.m. on 16 March 2016 and the Initial Offer for Subscription will remain open until 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Persons wishing to participate in the Initial Open Offer should complete the Open Offer Application Form or settle the relevant CREST instructions (as appropriate). To be valid, Open Offer Application Forms must be completed and returned with the appropriate remittance, by post to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or by hand (during business hours only), to Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE, so as to be received by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016.

Persons wishing to participate in the Initial Offer for Subscription should complete the Application Form set out in the Appendix to this Securities Note. To be valid, Application Forms must be completed and returned with the appropriate remittance, by post to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or by hand (during business hours only), to Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE so as to be received by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016.

If you sell or have sold or otherwise transferred your Shares in certificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer) please send the Prospectus, together with any Open Offer Application Form, if received, at once to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for delivery to the purchaser or transferee except that the Prospectus and the Open Offer Application Form should not be distributed, forwarded to or transmitted in or into any jurisdiction where to do so may constitute a violation of local securities laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the Excluded Territories. If you sell or have sold or otherwise transferred all or some of your Shares held in uncertificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer), a claim transaction will automatically be generated by Euroclear which, on settlement, will transfer the appropriate number of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to the purchaser or transferee. If you sell or have sold or have otherwise transferred only part of your holding of Shares held in certificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Open Offer), you should refer to the instruction regarding split applications in Part 7 of this Securities Note.

Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Jefferies and Akur by FSMA, or the regulatory regime established thereunder, or under the regulatory regime of any other jurisdiction where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be illegal, void or unenforceable, Jefferies and Akur do not accept any responsibility whatsoever and make no representation or warranty, express or implied, for the contents of the Prospectus, including its accuracy or completeness, or for any other statement made or purported to be made by either of them, or on behalf of them, the Company or any other person in connection with the Company or the Shares and nothing contained in the Prospectus is or shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. Each of Jefferies and Akur accordingly disclaims all and any responsibility or liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of the Prospectus or any such statement.

Investors should rely only on the information contained in the Prospectus. No person has been authorised to give any information or make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been so authorised by the Group, Jefferies or Akur. Without prejudice to the Company's obligations under the Prospectus Rules, neither the delivery of the Prospectus nor any subscription for or purchase of Shares made pursuant to the Initial Issue, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Group since, or that the information contained herein is correct at any time subsequent to, the date of the Prospectus

In connection with the Share Issuance Programme, each of Jefferies and Akur and any of their respective affiliates, acting as investors for its or their own accounts, may subscribe for or purchase Shares and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell or otherwise deal for its or their own account(s) in the Shares and other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the Share Issuance Programme or otherwise. Accordingly, references in the Prospectus to Shares being issued, offered, acquired, subscribed or otherwise dealt with, should be read as including any issue or offer to, acquisition of, or subscription or dealing by Jefferies and Akur and any of their respective affiliates acting as an investor for its or their own account(s). Neither Jefferies nor Akur nor any of their respective affiliates intends to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so. In addition, Jefferies and Akur may enter into financing arrangements with investors, such as share swap arrangements or lending arrangements in connection with which Jefferies and Akur may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of shareholdings in the Company.

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or with any securities or regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and the Shares may not be offered, sold, exercised, resold, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act ("Regulation S")), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States. There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States. The Shares are being offered or sold only, (i) outside the United States to non U.S. Persons in offshore transactions in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by Regulation S thereunder, and (ii) to persons that are "qualified institutional buyers" (as the term is defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act) that are also "qualified purchasers" within the meaning of section 2(a) (51) of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "U.S. Investment Company Act") in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of the U.S. Investment Company Act.

Copies of this Securities Note, the Registration Document and the Summary (along with any Future Securities Note and Future Summary) will be available on the Company's website (www.empiric.co.uk) and the National Storage Mechanism of the FCA at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm.

Dated: 1 March 2016

CONTENTS

EXPECTED TIMETABLE Page
5
INITIAL ISSUE STATISTICS 6
SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME STATISTICS 6
DEALING CODES 6
RISK FACTORS 7
DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 10
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 12
PART 1 REASONS FOR THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME 16
PART 2 THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME AND THE INITIAL ISSUE 18
PART 3 TAXATION 27
PART 4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 32
PART 5 AIFMD – ARTICLES 23 DISCLOSURES 45
PART 6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL PLACING 59
PART 7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OPEN OFFER 67
PART 8 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OFFER FOR SUBSCRIPTION 94
PART 9 DEFINITIONS AND GLOSSARY 117

EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Initial Open Offer

Record date for entitlements under the Initial Open Offer 5.00 p.m. on 26 February 2016
Open Offer Application Forms dispatched to Qualifying
Non-CREST Shareholders 1 March 2016
Ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016
Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer
Entitlements credited to stock accounts in CREST
(Qualifying CREST Shareholders only)
As soon as practicable
after 8.00 a.m. on 2 March 2016
Recommended latest time for requesting withdrawal of
Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer
Entitlements from CREST (i.e. if your Basic
Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements
are in CREST and you wish to convert them to certificated form)
4.30 p.m. on
10 March 2016
Latest time and date for depositing Basic Entitlements
and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements into CREST
3.00 p.m. on 11 March 2016
Latest time and date for splitting of Open Offer Application
Forms (to satisfy bona fide market claims only)
3.00 p.m. on 14 March 2016
Latest time and date for receipt of completed Open Offer
Application Forms and payment in full under the Initial Open Offer
or settlement of relevant CREST instructions (as appropriate)
11.00 a.m. on
16 March 2016
Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription
Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription open 1 March 2016
Latest time and date for receipt of completed Application Forms
and payment in full under the Initial Offer of Subscription
11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016
Latest time and date for receipt of placing commitments under
the Initial Placing
3.00 p.m. on 16 March 2016
Other key dates
Results of the Initial Issue announced 8.00 a.m. on 17 March 2016
General Meeting 1.00 p.m. on 17 March 2016
Initial Admission and crediting of CREST accounts in respect
of the Initial Issue
8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016
Share certificates dispatched in respect of the Initial Issue week commencing 4 April 2016 or
as soon as possible thereafter
Further Tranches pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme

Admission and crediting of CREST accounts in respect of 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day subsequent Tranches on which the Shares are issued Share Issuance Programme closes 28 February 2017

The times and dates set out in the expected timetable and mentioned throughout this Securities Note may, in certain circumstances, be adjusted by the Company, in which event details of the new times and dates will be notified, as required, to the UKLA and the London Stock Exchange and, where appropriate, Shareholders and an announcement will be made through a Regulatory Information Service. All references to times in this Securities Note are to London time unless otherwise stated.

INITIAL ISSUE STATISTICS

Initial Issue Price 107.5 pence
Target size of the Initial Issue* £90 million
Shares being issued pursuant to the Initial Open Offer 55 million
Estimated Net Proceeds* £88.2 million(1)

* The number of Shares to be issued pursuant to the Initial Issue, and therefore the Gross Proceeds and the Net Proceeds of the Initial Issue, is not known as at the date of this Securities Note but will be notified by the Company via a Regulatory Information Service prior to Initial Admission. If the Initial Issue does not proceed, subscription monies received will be returned without interest at the risk of the applicant.

(1) Assuming the Initial Issue is subscribed as to £90 million.

SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME STATISTICS

Maximum number of Shares being made available under the Share Issuance Programme 165 million

Share Issuance Programme Price NAV per Share plus a premium*

* Further terms and conditions of issues of Shares under the Share Issuance Programme which involve either an offer for subscription and/or open offer element will, to the extent necessary, be contained in a Future Securities Note and Future Summary for each such issue.

DEALING CODES

The dealing codes for the Shares, the Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements are as follows:

ISIN – Shares GB00BLWDVR75
SEDOL – Shares BLWDVR7
Ticker – Shares ESP
ISIN – Basic Entitlements GB00BYP7YR81
SEDOL – Basic Entitlements BYP7YR81
ISIN – Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements GB00BYP7Z420
SEDOL – Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements BYP7Z420

RISK FACTORS

Prospective investors should note that the risks relating to the Group and its industry and the Shares summarised in the "Summary" are the risks that the Board believes to be the most essential to an assessment by a prospective investor of whether to consider an investment in the Shares. However, as the risks which the Group faces relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future, prospective investors should consider not only the information on the key risks summarised in the "Summary" but also, among other things, the risks and uncertainties described below and in the section headed "Risk Factors" in the Registration Document.

The Directors believe the risks described below are the material risks relating to an investment in the Shares at the date of this Securities Note. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Directors, or that the Directors deem immaterial at the date of this Securities Note, may also have an adverse effect on the performance of the Company and the value of the Shares. Investors should review this Securities Note as well as the information contained in the Registration Document carefully and in its entirety and consult with their professional advisers before making an application to invest in the Shares.

RISKS RELATING TO THE SHARES

The Shares may trade at a discount to NAV per Share and Shareholders may be unable to realise their investments through the secondary market at NAV per Share

The Shares may trade at a discount to NAV per Share for a variety of reasons, including adverse market conditions, a deterioration in investors' perceptions of the merits of the Company's investment objective and investment policy, an excess of supply over demand for the Shares, and to the extent investors undervalue the management activities of the Executive Directors or discount the valuation methodology and judgments made by the Company. While the Directors may seek to mitigate any discount to NAV per Share through such discount management mechanisms as they consider appropriate, there can be no guarantee that they will do so or that such mechanisms will be successful.

The value and/or market price of the Shares may go down as well as up

Prospective investors should be aware that the value and/or market price of the Shares may go down as well as up and that the market price of the Shares may not reflect the underlying value of the Company. Investors may, therefore, realise less than, or lose all of, their investment.

The market price of the Shares may not reflect the value of the underlying investments of the Group and may be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many factors, including, among other things, variations in the Company's operating results, additional issuances or future sales of the Shares or other securities exchangeable for, or convertible into, its Shares in the future, the addition or departure of Board members (in particular any of the Executive Directors), expected dividend yield, divergence in financial results from stock market expectations, changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding the UK property market as a whole, the Company or any of its assets, a perception that other markets may have higher growth prospects, general economic conditions, prevailing interest rates, legislative changes in the Company's market and other events and factors within or outside the Company's control. Stock markets experience extreme price and volume volatility from time to time, and this, in addition to general economic, political and other conditions, may have a material adverse effect on the market price for the Shares. The market value of the Shares may vary considerably from the Company's underlying Net Asset Value. There can be no assurance, express or implied, that Shareholders will receive back the amount of their investment in the Shares.

Issue price of Shares under the Share Issuance Programme

The issue price of the Shares issued on a non-pre-emptive basis under the Share Issuance Programme cannot be lower than the latest published NAV per Share. The issue price of such Shares will be calculated by reference to the latest published unaudited NAV per Share. Such NAV per Share is determined on the basis of the information available to the Company at the time and may be subject to subsequent revisions. Accordingly, there is a risk that, had the issue price been calculated by reference to information that emerged after the calculation date, it could have been greater or lesser than the issue price actually paid by the investors. If the issue price should have been less than the issue price actually paid, investors will have borne a greater premium than intended. If the issue price should have been greater than the issue price actually paid, investors will have paid less than intended and, in certain circumstances, the Net Asset Value per Share may have been diluted.

The market price of the Shares may rise or fall rapidly

General movement in local and international stock markets and real estate markets, prevailing and anticipated economic conditions and interest rates, investor sentiment and general economic conditions may all affect the market price of the Shares. To optimise returns, Shareholders may need to hold the Shares for the long term and the Shares are not suitable for short term investment.

The Company may in the future issue new equity, which may dilute Shareholders' equity

The Company may seek to issue new equity in the future pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme or otherwise. While the Companies Act contains statutory pre-emption rights for Shareholders in relation to issues of shares in consideration for cash, such rights can be disapplied, and have been disapplied in relation to the maximum amount of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme. Where statutory pre-emption rights are disapplied, any additional equity financing will be dilutive to those Shareholders who cannot, or choose not to, participate in such financing.

Future sales of Shares could cause the market price of the Shares to fall

Sales of Shares or interests in the Shares by significant investors could depress the market price of the Shares. A substantial amount of Shares being sold, or the perception that sales of this type could occur, could also depress the market price of the Shares. Both scenarios, occurring either individually or collectively, may make it more difficult for Shareholders to sell the Shares at a time and price that they deem appropriate.

The Company may not have adequate distributable profits to allow the Company to return capital to Shareholders

Investors are reminded that, in accordance with the Companies Act, Shares may only be repurchased out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of the repurchase or out of distributable profits (including any reserve arising out of the cancellation of the Company's share premium account). There can be no assurance that the Company will have any such proceeds or distributable profits to allow the Company at any time to utilise any granted buy-back authority and to thereby return capital to Shareholders.

In the event of a winding-up of the Company, the Shares will rank behind any creditors of the Company and, therefore, any positive return for holders of Shares will depend on the Company's assets being sufficient to meet the prior entitlements of any creditors.

The Shares may be subject to significant forced transfer provisions

The Shares have not been registered and will not be registered in the United States under the U.S. Securities Act or with any securities or regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States. Moreover, the Shares are only being offered and sold, (i) outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), and (ii) to persons located inside the United States or U.S. Persons that are "qualified institutional buyers" (as the term is defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act) that are also "qualified purchasers" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(51) of the U.S. Investment Company Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act.

If at any time the holding or beneficial ownership of any Shares in the Company by any person (whether on its own or taken with other Shares), in the opinion of the Directors: (i) would cause the assets of the Company to be treated as "plan assets" of any benefit plan investor under Section 3(42) of ERISA or the U.S. Code; or (ii) would or might result in the Company and/or its Shares being required to register or qualify under the U.S. Investment Company Act and/or the U.S. Securities Act and/or the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act") and/or any laws of any state of the U.S. that regulate the offering and sale of securities; or (iii) may cause the Company not to be considered a "Foreign Private Issuer" under the U.S. Exchange Act; or (iv) may cause the Company to be a "controlled foreign corporation" for the purpose of the U.S. Code; or (v) creates a significant legal or regulatory issue for the Company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (as amended) or regulations or interpretations thereunder, the Directors may require the holder of such Shares to dispose of such Shares and, if the Shareholder does not sell such Shares, may dispose of such Shares on their behalf. These restrictions may make it more difficult for a U.S. Person to hold and shareholders of the Company generally to sell the Shares and may have an adverse effect on the market value of the Shares.

DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Directors Brenda Dean (The Rt Hon Baroness Dean of
Thornton-le-Fylde) (Chairman)
Paul Hadaway (Chief Executive Officer)
Timothy Attlee (Chief Investment Officer)
Michael Enright (Chief Finance Officer)
Stephen Alston (Non-Executive Director)
Jim Prower (Non-Executive Director)
Stuart Beevor (Non-Executive Director)
all of the registered office below:
Registered Office 6-8 James Street
London
W1U 1ED
Tel: +44(0)20 3772 2780
Website: www.empiric.co.uk
Joint Financial Advisers Akur Limited
66 St James's Street
London
SW1A 1NE
Jefferies International Limited
Vintners Place
68 Upper Thames Street
London
EC4V 3BJ
Sponsor, Sole Global
Coordinator and Bookrunner
Jefferies International Limited
Vintners Place
68 Upper Thames Stree
London
EC4V 3BJ
Legal Adviser to the Company Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
4 More London Riverside
London
SE1 2AU
Legal Adviser to the Sponsor,
Joint Financial Advisers and
Sole Global Coordinator and
Bookrunner
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
3 More London Riverside
London
SE1 2AQ
Administrator and Company
Secretary
FIM Capital Limited
7 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PE
Depositary Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited
41-43 Maddox Street
London
W1S 2PD
Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE
Receiving Agent Computershare Investor Services PLC
Corporate Actions Projects
Bristol
BS99 6AH
Auditor and Reporting
Accountant
BDO LLP
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU
Valuer CBRE Limited
Henrietta House
Henrietta Place
London
W1G 0NB

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

GENERAL

The Prospectus should be read in its entirety before making any application for Shares. In assessing an investment in the Company, investors should rely only on the information in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission.

No broker, dealer or other person has been authorised by the Company to issue any advertisement or to give any information or to make any representations in connection with the offering or sale of Shares other than those contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission and, if issued, given or made, such advertisement, information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Company.

Prospective investors should not treat the contents of the Prospectus as advice relating to legal, taxation, investment or any other matters. Prospective investors should inform themselves as to: (a) the legal requirements within their own countries for the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares; (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares which they might encounter; and (c) the income and other tax consequences which may apply in their own countries as a result of the purchase, holding, transfer or other disposal of Shares. Prospective investors must rely upon their own legal advisers, accountants and other financial advisers as to legal, tax, investment or any other related matters concerning the Company and an investment in the Shares.

Statements made in this Securities Note are based on the law and practice in force in England and Wales as at the date of this Securities Note and are subject to changes therein.

The Prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used for the purposes of, an offer or solicitation to anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The distribution of the Prospectus and the offering of Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted and accordingly persons into whose possession the Prospectus is received are required to inform themselves about and to observe such restrictions.

Applicants under the Initial Open Offer and the Initial Offer for Subscription are strongly recommended to read and consider the Prospectus before completing the Open Offer Application Form or the Application Form respectively. Qualifying CREST Shareholders have not been sent an Open Offer Application Form. Instead, Qualifying CREST Shareholders will receive a credit to their appropriate stock accounts in CREST in respect of their Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement as soon as practicable after 8.00 a.m. on 2 March 2016.

The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus by financial intermediaries in connection with any subsequent resale or final placement of securities by financial intermediaries in the UK on the following terms: (i) in respect of the financial intermediaries who have been appointed by Jefferies prior to the date of this Securities Note, as listed in paragraph 7 of Part 4 of this Securities Note, from the date of this Securities Note, and (ii) in respect of financial intermediaries who are appointed by Jefferies after the date of this Securities Note, a list of which will appear on the Company's website, from the date on which they are appointed to participate in connection with any subsequent resale or final placement of securities and, in each case, until the closing of the period for the subsequent resale or final placement of securities by financial intermediaries at 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, unless closed prior to that date. Any financial intermediary that uses the Prospectus must state on its website that it uses the Prospectus in accordance with the Company's consent and the conditions attached thereto. Any application made by investors to any financial intermediary is subject to the terms and conditions imposed by each financial intermediary.

Information on the terms and conditions of any subsequent resale or final placement of securities by any financial intermediary is to be provided at the time of the offer by the financial intermediary.

The Company accepts responsibility for the information contained in the Prospectus with respect to any subscriber for Shares pursuant to any subsequent resale or final placement of securities by financial intermediaries.

Any new information with respect to financial intermediaries unknown at the time of approval of this Securities Note will be available on the Company's website.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

In relation to each Relevant Member State, no Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme (including under the Initial Issue) to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that offers of Shares to the public may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they are implemented in that Relevant Member State:

  • to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
  • to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive (as defined below), 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) in such Relevant Member State; or
  • in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in a Relevant Member State (other than the United Kingdom) and each person who initially acquires any Shares or to whom any offer is made under the Share Issuance Programme (including under the Initial Issue) will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any offer of Shares in any Relevant Member State means a communication in any form and by any means presenting sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and the amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU (the "2010 PD Amending Directive")), to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

In addition, Shares will only be offered in any relevant EEA jurisdiction, (i) to the extent that the Company has given notification of its intention to market in such relevant EEA jurisdiction pursuant to the passporting regime established for full-scope EEA AIFMs under the AIFM Directive; or (ii) can otherwise be lawfully offered or sold (including on the basis of an unsolicited request from a professional investor) to an investor resident in such relevant EEA jurisdiction.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF THE NETHERLANDS

The Initial Placing is solely directed to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of section 1:1 of the Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht), as amended from time to time. No approved prospectus is required in connection with the Initial Placing in the Netherlands pursuant to the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC), as amended.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF BELGIUM

The Initial Placing is to be exclusively conducted under applicable private placement exceptions and therefore has not been and will not be notified to, and any other offering material relating to the Initial Placing has not been, and will not be approved by, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority pursuant to the Belgian laws and regulations applicable to the public offering of securities. Accordingly, the Prospectus and any other documents or materials related to the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Shares, may not be advertised, offered or distributed in any other way, directly or indirectly, (i) to any other person located and/or resident in Belgium other than a professional client within the meaning of Annex II to Directive 2004/39/EC or an eligible counterparty within the meaning of Article 24 of the same directive, or (ii) to any person qualifying as a consumer for the purposes of Book VI of the Belgian Code of economic law, unless this is in compliance with the relevant provisions of such code and the implementing regulation.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF SWITZERLAND

Neither the Shares nor the Prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Company may be distributed in or from Switzerland. The Company is not authorised by or registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA ("FINMA") under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). Therefore, investors do not benefit from protection under CISA or supervision by FINMA. Neither the Prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Company constitutes a prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to article 652a or 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations or a prospectus pursuant to the CISA.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF GUERNSEY

The Shares may only be promoted in or from within the Bailiwick of Guernsey by persons regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as licensees under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (as amended). Persons appointed by the Company and not so licensed may not promote the Company in Guernsey to private investors and may only distribute and circulate any document relating to Shares in Guernsey to persons regulated as licensees under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 as amended, the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 or the Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Business and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, and provided that the provisions of Section 29(1)(cc) of the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (as amended) are satisfied. Promotion of the Shares may not be made in any other way. The Guernsey Prospectus Rules 2008 do not apply to the offer of the Shares.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS OF JERSEY

The Prospectus may be circulated in Jersey only by persons who are registered by the Jersey Financial Services Commission in accordance with the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998, as amended, for the conduct of financial services business, or are exempt from such registration in accordance with the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998, as amended. In addition, the Prospectus may be circulated in Jersey only to persons similar to those to whom, and in a manner similar to that in which, it is for the time being circulated in the United Kingdom. Consent for the circulation of the Prospectus in accordance with article 8 of the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958, as amended, has not been sought from or given by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Prospectus contains forward looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or similar expressions. Such forward looking statements involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements speak only as at the date of the Prospectus. Subject to its legal and regulatory obligations (including under the Prospectus Rules), the Company expressly disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required to do so by law or any appropriate regulatory authority, including FSMA, the Prospectus Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules.

Nothing in the preceding two paragraphs should be taken as qualifying the working capital statement in paragraph 5 of Part 4 of this Securities Note.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company prepares its financial information under IFRS and EPRA's best practice recommendations. The financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, including that financial information presented in a number of tables in the Prospectus, has been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal place. Therefore, the actual arithmetic total of the numbers in a column or row in a certain table may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column or row. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in the Prospectus reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding, and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers.

NO INCORPORATION OF WEBSITE INFORMATION

The Company's website address is www.empiric.co.uk. The contents of the Company's website do not form part of the Prospectus.

PART 1

REASONS FOR THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME

Background to and benefits of the Share Issuance Programme

Under its initial public offering in June 2014 and its previous share issuance programme, which closed in October 2015, the Company has raised gross equity funds of, in aggregate, £397 million since June 2014. In addition, as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Securities Note), the Group has approximately £103.25 million of drawn down debt financing (excluding the Group's share of joint venture debt) which, together with its equity funds, has been invested in, or committed to, the Property Portfolio.

The Company's stated longer term objective is to continue to grow the Property Portfolio to a target size of 10,000 beds. The Company has launched the Share Issuance Programme to issue, in aggregate, up to 165 million Shares in order to achieve this objective.

The Directors believe that the Share Issuance Programme has the following principal benefits for Shareholders:

  • the net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme will be used to invest further in student accommodation assets which will enable the Company to grow the total number of beds in the Property Portfolio thereby adding further diversification to its property assets;
  • it allows the Company to tailor future equity issuance to its immediate pipeline, providing flexibility and minimising cash drag;
  • it enables the Company to raise additional capital quickly, in order to take advantage of discrete pipeline investment opportunities;
  • an increase in the size of the Company is expected to improve liquidity of its Shares. This may enhance the marketability of the Company and may result in a broader investor base over the longer term;
  • an increase in the size of the Company will mean that the fixed costs of operating the Company are spread over a larger asset base, thereby reducing the Company's on-going charges per Share; and
  • the Initial Open Offer provides Qualifying Shareholders with the ability to invest in the Company without incurring stamp duty or dealing costs or paying the current market premium for acquiring Shares in the secondary market.

It is intended that all new Shares under the Share Issuance Programme (including under the Initial Issue) will be issued at a premium to the prevailing Net Asset Value per Share, after related costs have been deducted.

Net Asset Value Update

As at 31 December 2015, the unaudited Net Asset Value per Share was 105.4 pence, prior to adjustment for the interim dividend declared on 1 March 2016 of 1.5 pence per Share. This compares to the audited Net Asset Value per Share as at 30 June 2015 of 103.2 pence. For the purposes of calculating the unaudited Net Asset Value the Property Portfolio has been independently valued as at 31 December 2015.

The Initial Issue

Pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme, the Company is targeting an initial issue of £90 million. The Initial Issue will together comprise the Initial Placing, the Initial Open Offer and the Initial Offer for Subscription.

Pipeline investments

The Company has a strong pipeline comprising a mix of operating properties and properties under development across multiple locations in the UK representing in aggregate over 4,000 beds. Accordingly, the Company expects to commit the net proceeds of the Initial Issue, by July 2016.

The Company's pipeline opportunities are sourced from owner-operators, developers, agents, proprietary contacts and local knowledge.

There can be no assurance that any of these pipeline projects will be completed or will be purchased or funded by the Company. The Company will, in any event, continue to evaluate other potential acquisitions in accordance with its investment policy.

PART 2

THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME AND THE INITIAL ISSUE

INTRODUCTION

The Company intends to issue up to 165 million Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme in Tranches. Shares will only be issued at times when the Company considers that suitable investments in accordance with the Company's investment policy will be capable of being secured within the near-term. Each Tranche will comprise a placing on similar terms to the Initial Placing and may, at the discretion of the Company, in consultation with Jefferies, comprise an open offer component on similar terms to the Initial Open Offer and/or an offer for subscription component on similar terms to the Initial Offer for Subscription.

The Share Issuance Programme is flexible and may have a number of closing dates in order to provide the Company with the ability to issue Shares on appropriate occasions over a period of time. The Share Issuance Programme is intended to satisfy market demand for the Shares and to raise further money for investment in accordance with the Company's investment policy.

The total net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme will depend on the number of Shares issued throughout the Share Issuance Programme, the issue price of such Shares, and the aggregate costs and commissions for each Tranche. However, assuming that the maximum number of Shares available under the Share Issuance Programme are issued at an issue price of 107.5 pence per Share with aggregate costs and commissions of approximately £3.6 million, the total net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme would be approximately £173.8 million.

The size and frequency of each Tranche, and of each placing, open offer and offer for subscription component of each Tranche, will be determined in the sole discretion of the Company in consultation with Jefferies.

THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME

The Share Issuance Programme opened on 1 March 2016 and will close on 28 February 2017 (or any earlier date on which it is fully subscribed). The maximum number of Shares to be issued pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme is 165 million. The maximum number of Shares should not be taken as an indication of the number of Shares finally to be issued. The issue of Shares under the Share Issuance Programme is not being underwritten.

The price at which Shares are issued on a non-pre-emptive basis under the Share Issuance Programme will always represent a premium to the prevailing Net Asset Value per Share after the related costs have been deducted. The commissions and costs for each Tranche to be met by the Company will be capped at 2 per cent. of the gross proceeds of such Tranche.

The issue of Shares under the Share Issuance Programme is at the discretion of the Directors. Issuance may take place at any time prior to, (i) the final closing date of 28 February 2017, or (ii) such earlier date as all the Shares the subject of the Share Issuance Programme are issued (the "Final Date"). In relation to each Tranche, which includes either an offer for subscription and/or open offer component, a new securities note and new summary will be published and an announcement will be released through a Regulatory Information Service, including details of the number of Shares allotted and the applicable Issue Price.

It is anticipated that dealings in the Shares will commence no more than two Business Days after the trade date for each issue of Shares. Whilst it is expected that all Shares issued pursuant to a particular Tranche will be issued in uncertificated form, if any Shares are issued in certificated form it is expected that share certificates would be despatched approximately two weeks after Admission of the relevant Shares. No temporary documents of title will be issued.

Shares issued pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme will rank pari passu with the existing Shares then in issue (save for any dividends or other distributions declared, made or paid on the Shares by reference to a record date prior to the allotment of the relevant Shares).

The Share Issuance Programme will be suspended at any time when the Company is unable to issue Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme under any statutory provision or other regulation applicable to the Company or otherwise at the Directors' discretion. The Share Issuance Programme may resume when such conditions cease to exist, subject always to the final closing date of the Share Issuance Programme being no later than 28 February 2017.

CONDITIONS

The issuance of each Tranche of Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme (including the Initial Issue) is conditional upon inter alia:

  • the passing of the resolutions at the General Meeting;
  • in relation to non-pre-emptive offerings, the applicable issue price being not less than the latest published Net Asset Value per Share;
  • Admission of the relevant Shares issued pursuant to each Tranche; and
  • the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement having become unconditional in respect of the relevant Tranche and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms or a particular Tranche not having been suspended in accordance with the terms of the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement.

In circumstances where these conditions are not fully met, the relevant issue of Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance Programme will not take place.

THE INITIAL ISSUE

Overview

The Initial Issue is being implemented by way of the Initial Open Offer, Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription which will each be made at an Initial Issue Price of 107.5 pence per Share. The Company is targeting an initial issue of £90 million.

The Directors recognise the importance of pre-emption rights to Shareholders. Accordingly, a substantial proportion of the Shares available under the Initial Issue are being initially offered to Qualifying Shareholders by way of the Initial Open Offer pursuant to which they will be entitled to apply for 1 Share for every 7 existing Shares held on the Record Date. Qualifying Shareholders may also apply under the Excess Application Facility for additional Shares in excess of their Basic Entitlement. The Excess Application Facility will comprise whole numbers of Shares which are not taken up by Qualifying Shareholders pursuant to their Basic Entitlements, together with fractional entitlements under the Initial Open Offer. In addition, to the extent that any Shares available under the Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription are not fully subscribed, then such Shares will be available to satisfy Excess Applications under the Excess Application Facility, if required.

In addition, a minimum of approximately 28.7 million Shares have been reserved for the Initial Placing and the Initial Offer for Subscription. This will increase to the extent that Qualifying Shareholders do not take up their Basic Entitlements under the Initial Open Offer (or apply for such excess Shares through the Excess Application Facility).

The Initial Open Offer

Under the Initial Open Offer up to 55 million Shares will be made available to Qualifying Shareholders at the Initial Issue Price pro rata to their holdings of Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Initial Open Offer on the basis of:

1 Share for every 7 existing Shares

held and registered in their name at the Record Date.

Shareholders should be aware that the Initial Open Offer is not a rights issue. As such, Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders should note that their Open Offer Application Forms are not negotiable documents and cannot be traded. Qualifying CREST Shareholders should note that, although the Basic Entitlements will be admitted to CREST and enabled for settlement, the Basic Entitlements will not be tradeable or listed and applications in respect of the Initial Open Offer may only be made by the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled or by a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim. Shares for which application has not been made under the Initial Open Offer will not be sold in the market for the benefit of those who do not apply under the Initial Open Offer and Qualifying Shareholders who do not apply to take up their entitlements will have no rights, and will not receive any benefit, under the Initial Open Offer.

Qualifying Shareholders may also subscribe for Shares in excess of their Basic Entitlement through the Excess Application Facility and/or the Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription, as appropriate.

Fractional entitlements under the Initial Open Offer will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of new Shares and will be disregarded in calculating Basic Entitlements. All fractional entitlements will be aggregated and made available to Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility described below.

The latest time and date for acceptance and payment in full in respect of the Initial Open Offer will be 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Valid applications under the Initial Open Offer will be satisfied in full up to an applicant's Basic Entitlement.

The terms and conditions of application under the Initial Open Offer are set out in Part 7 of this Securities Note and, in the case of Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders, the Open Offer Application Form. These terms and conditions should be read carefully before an application is made. Shareholders who are in any doubt about the Initial Open Offer arrangements should consult their independent financial adviser.

Applications under the Initial Open Offer are not subject to any minimum subscription requirement.

The Excess Application Facility

Qualifying Shareholders who take up all of their Basic Entitlements may also apply under the Excess Application Facility for additional Shares in excess of their Basic Entitlements. The Excess Application Facility will comprise whole numbers of Shares under the Initial Open Offer which are not being taken up by Qualifying Shareholders pursuant to their Basic Entitlements (including any aggregated fractional entitlements) in addition to any Shares not subscribed under the Initial Placing and the Initial Offer for Subscription, if any.

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders who wish to subscribe for more than their Basic Entitlement should complete the relevant sections on the Open Offer Application Form.

Qualifying CREST Shareholders will have Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements credited to their stock account in CREST and should refer to paragraph 4.2(c) of Part 7 of this Securities Note for information on how to apply for additional Shares under the Excess Application Facility.

Applications under the Excess Application Facility will be allocated, in the event of over-subscription, pro rata to Qualifying Shareholders' applications under the Excess Application Facility. No assurance can be given that applications by Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility will be met in full or in part or at all.

To the extent any Shares remain unallocated pursuant to the Initial Open Offer (including under the Excess Application Facility), they will be made available under the Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription.

Action to be taken under the Initial Open Offer

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders have been sent an Open Offer Application Form giving details of their Basic Entitlement.

Persons that have sold or otherwise transferred all of their Shares should forward the Prospectus, together with any Open Offer Application Form, if and when received, at once to the purchaser or transferee, or the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for delivery to the purchaser or transferee, except that, such documents should not be sent to any jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of local securities laws or regulations including, but not limited to, the Excluded Territories.

Any Shareholder that has sold or otherwise transferred only some of their Shares held in certificated form on or before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 should refer to the instruction regarding split applications in the Terms and Conditions of the Initial Open Offer at paragraph 4.1(b) of Part 7 of this Securities Note and the Open Offer Application Form.

Qualifying CREST Shareholders

Qualifying CREST Shareholders have not been sent an Open Offer Application Form. Instead, Qualifying CREST Shareholders will receive a credit to their appropriate stock accounts in CREST in respect of their Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement as soon as practicable after 8.00 a.m. on 2 March 2016.

In the case of any Qualifying Shareholder that has sold or otherwise transferred only part of their existing holding of Shares held in uncertificated form on or before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016, a claim transaction will automatically be generated by Euroclear which, on settlement, will transfer the appropriate Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement to the purchaser or transferee.

Full details of the Initial Open Offer are contained in the Terms and Conditions of the Initial Open Offer in Part 7 of this Securities Note. If you have any doubt as to what action you should take, you should seek your own advice from your independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA who specialises in advice on the acquisition of shares and other securities.

The ISIN of the Basic Entitlements is GB00BYP7YR81 and the SEDOL is BYP7YR81. The ISIN for the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement is GB00BYP7Z420 and the SEDOL is BYP7Z420.

The Initial Placing

The terms and conditions which apply to any subscriber for Shares pursuant to the Initial Placing (and which also apply to any subsequent Placing-Only Issue) are set out in Part 6 of this Securities Note.

It is expected that Initial Admission will become effective and that unconditional dealings in the Shares issued pursuant to the Initial Placing will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016. Dealings in Shares in advance of the crediting of the relevant stock account shall be at the risk of the person concerned. The Initial Issue Price is 107.5 pence per Share.

Applications for Shares under the Initial Placing must be for a minimum subscription amount of £50,000 (or such lesser amount as may be accepted by the Directors). There is no maximum subscription.

The Initial Offer for Subscription

The Company has agreed to make an offer of Shares pursuant to the Initial Offer for Subscription in the UK at the Initial Issue Price, subject to the Terms and Conditions of Application. These terms and conditions set out in Part 8 of this Securities Note and the Application Form should be read carefully before an application is made. Investors should consult their independent financial adviser if they are in any doubt about the contents of the Prospectus or the acquisition of Shares.

Application Forms accompanied by a cheque or banker's draft in Sterling made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property plc – Offer for Subscription A/C" and crossed "A/C Payee Only" for the appropriate sum should be returned to the Receiving Agent by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. If the Initial Offer for Subscription is extended, the revised timetable will be notified to any investors who have returned Application Forms.

For applicants sending subscription monies by electronic bank transfer (CHAPS), payment must be made for value by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by email at [email protected] and Computershare will then provide applicants with a unique reference number which must be used when sending payment.

Applicants choosing to settle via CREST, that is DVP, will need to match their instructions to Computershare's participant account 8RA22 by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, allowing for the delivery and acceptance of Shares to be made against payment of the Initial Issue Price per Share, following the CREST matching criteria set out in the Application Form.

Applications under the Initial Offer for Subscription must be for a minimum of 1,000 Shares and thereafter in multiples of 100 Shares. Commitments under the Initial Offer for Subscription, once made, may not be withdrawn without the consent of the Board. The Directors reserve the right to refuse applications for any reason.

INTERMEDIARIES

In connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription, Jefferies will appoint certain Intermediaries to market the Shares to potential retail investors in the United Kingdom. The Intermediaries who have been appointed by Jefferies prior to the date of the Prospectus are listed in paragraph 7 of Part 4 of this Securities Note. Further Intermediaries may be appointed by Jefferies after the date of this Securities Note.

Each Intermediary has agreed, or will on appointment agree, to the Intermediaries Terms and Conditions, which regulate, inter alia, the conduct of the Intermediaries in relation to the offering of Shares on market standard terms and provide for the payment of commission to any such Intermediaries that elect to receive commission from Jefferies.

Each Intermediary will submit a single Application Form pursuant to the Initial Offer for Subscription in its own name, as nominee, for the aggregate number of Shares procured by it via subscriptions from underlying retail investors.

Each applicant who applies for Shares via an Intermediary must comply with the appropriate money laundering checks required by the relevant Intermediary. Where an application is not accepted or there are insufficient Shares available to satisfy an application in full (due to scaling back of subscriptions or otherwise), the relevant Intermediary will be obliged to refund the applicant as required and all such refunds shall be made without interest. The Company, Jefferies and Akur accept no responsibility with respect to the obligation of the Intermediaries to refund monies in such circumstances.

Pursuant to the Intermediaries Terms and Conditions, the Intermediaries have undertaken to make payment on their own behalf for the consideration for any Shares subscribed pursuant to the Initial Offer for Subscription by means of the CREST system against delivery of the Shares.

The publication of the Prospectus and any actions of the Company, Jefferies, Akur, the Intermediaries or other persons in connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription should not be taken as any representation or assurance as to the basis on which the number of Shares to be offered under the Initial Offer for Subscription or allocations between applications in the Initial Offer for Subscription (from Intermediaries or otherwise) will be determined and any such actions or statements are hereby disclaimed by the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Intermediaries.

OFFICIAL LIST AND MAIN MARKET

Applications will be made to the UK Listing Authority for the Shares to be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List. Applications will also be made to the London Stock Exchange for such Shares to be admitted to trading on the Main Market.

The Company's existing Shares are admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market.

The Company is subject to, and complies with, the on-going requirements of the Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the Market Abuse Directive (as implemented in the United Kingdom).

INITIAL ADMISSION

Initial Admission is expected to take place at 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016. An investor applying for Shares under the Initial Issue may receive Shares in certificated or uncertificated form. The Shares are in registered form. No temporary documents of title will be issued. Dealings in Shares in advance of the crediting of the relevant stock account shall be at the risk of the person concerned. It is expected that CREST accounts will be credited on 21 March 2016 in respect of Shares issued in uncertificated form and definitive share certificates in respect of Shares held in certificated form will be despatched by post during the week commencing 4 April 2016.

The Company does not guarantee that at any particular time market maker(s) will be willing to make a market in the Shares, nor does it guarantee the price at which a market will be made in the Shares. Accordingly, the dealing price of the Shares may not necessarily reflect changes in the Net Asset Value per Share.

SCALING BACK AND ALLOCATION

The Directors have reserved the right, in consultation with Jefferies, to increase the size of the Initial Issue, with any such increase being announced through a Regulatory Information Service.

The Initial Offer for Subscription may be scaled back in favour of the Initial Placing and the Initial Placing may be scaled back in favour of the Initial Offer for Subscription in the Directors' discretion (in consultation with Jefferies). The Initial Open Offer is being made on a pro-rata basis to Qualifying Shareholders and is not subject to scaling back in favour of either the Initial Placing or the Initial Offer for Subscription, provided that any new Shares that are available under the Open Offer and are not taken up by Qualifying Shareholders pursuant to their Basic Entitlements and under the Excess Application Facility may be reallocated to the Initial Placing and/or the Initial Offer for Subscription and made available thereunder. In addition, to the extent that any new Shares available under the Initial Placing or Initial Offer for Subscription are not fully subscribed, then such new Shares will be available to satisfy Excess Applications under the Excess Application Facility, if required.

The Directors have the discretion (in consultation with Jefferies) to determine the basis of allocation within and between the Initial Offer for Subscription and the Initial Placing. Allocations of Shares pursuant to the Open Offer and Excess Application Facility shall be allocated on a pro-rata basis as further detailed in the section above entitled "The Initial Open Offer" in this Part 2.

The Company will notify investors of the number of new Shares in respect of which their application has been successful and the results of the Initial Issue will be announced by the Company on or around 17 March 2016 via a Regulatory Information Service announcement.

Subscription monies received in respect of unsuccessful applications (or to the extent scaled back) will be returned, by cheque, without interest at the risk of the applicant to the bank account from which the money was received.

WITHDRAWAL

In the event that the Company is required to publish a supplementary prospectus prior to Initial Admission, applicants who have applied for Shares under the Initial Issue shall have at least two clear Business Days following the publication of the relevant supplementary prospectus within which to withdraw their offer to acquire Shares in its entirety. The right to withdraw an application to acquire Shares in these circumstances will be available to all investors in the Initial Issue. If the application is not withdrawn within the stipulated period, any offer to apply for Shares will remain valid and binding.

Investors under the Initial Open Offer, Excess Application Facility and Initial Offer for Subscription wishing to exercise statutory withdrawal rights after the publication of a supplementary prospectus and prior to Initial Admission must do so by lodging written notice of withdrawal by hand (during normal business hours only) at Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE or by post to Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH, so as to be received by no later than two Business Days after the date on which the supplementary prospectus is published. Notice of withdrawal given by any other means or which is deposited with or received after expiry of such period will not constitute a valid withdrawal.

DILUTION

If a Qualifying Shareholder:

  • (i) does not subscribe under the Initial Open Offer for such number of new Shares as is equal to his or her proportionate ownership of existing Shares; or
  • (ii) subscribes under the Initial Open Offer for such number of new Shares but does not participate in the Excess Application Facility or the Initial Placing or the Initial Offer for Subscription pro rata to their holdings of existing Shares,

his or her proportionate ownership and voting interests in the Company will be reduced.

GENERAL

The Company, the Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur have entered into the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement relating to the establishment of the Share Issuance Programme and each issue thereunder (including the Initial Issue), pursuant to which Jefferies has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for Shares made available under the Initial Placing.

Applications pursuant to the Initial Placing and any Placing-Only Issue under the Share Issuance Programme will be on the terms and conditions set out in Part 6 of this Securities Note.

Pursuant to anti-money laundering laws and regulations, with which the Company must comply in the UK, the Company (and its agents) may require evidence in connection with any application for Shares, including further identification of the applicant(s), before any Shares are issued.

The Directors (in consultation with Jefferies) may in their absolute discretion waive the minimum application amounts in respect of any particular application for Shares under any Tranche (including the Initial Issue).

If any Tranche (including the Initial Issue) does not proceed, any monies received under that Tranche will be returned to applicants without interest.

CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT

Shares issued pursuant to each Tranche (including the Initial Issue) will be issued in registered form and may be held in either certificated or uncertificated form and settled through CREST from the relevant date of Admission. In the case of Shares to be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to any Tranche (including the Initial Issue), these will be transferred to successful applicants through the CREST system. Accordingly, settlement of transactions in the Shares following the relevant Admission may take place within the CREST system if any Shareholder so wishes. CREST is a paperless book-entry settlement system operated by Euroclear which enables securities to be evidenced otherwise than by certificates and transferred otherwise than by written instrument. CREST is a voluntary system and Shareholders who wish to receive and retain share certificates will be able to do so.

It is expected that the Company will arrange for Euroclear to be instructed on the relevant Admission date to credit the appropriate CREST accounts of the subscribers concerned or their nominees with their respective entitlements to Shares. The names of subscribers or their nominees investing through their CREST accounts will be entered directly on to the share register of the Company.

The transfer of Shares outside of the CREST system following the closing of each Tranche (including the Initial Issue) should be arranged directly through CREST. However, an investor's beneficial holding held through the CREST system may be exchanged, in whole or in part, only upon the specific request of the registered holder to CREST for share certificates or an uncertificated holding in definitive registered form. If a Shareholder or transferee requests Shares to be issued in certificated form and is holding such Shares outside CREST, a share certificate will be despatched either to him or his nominated agent (at his risk) within 21 days of completion of the registration process or transfer, as the case may be, of the Shares. Shareholders holding definitive certificates may elect at a later date to hold such Shares through CREST or in uncertificated form provided they surrender their definitive certificates.

Shareholders holding their Shares through CREST or otherwise in uncertificated form may obtain from the Registrar (as evidence of title) a certified extract from the Register showing their Shareholding.

OVERSEAS PERSONS

The attention of potential investors who are Overseas Persons is drawn to the paragraphs below. The offer of Shares to Overseas Persons may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Such persons should consult their professional advisers as to whether they require any government or other consents or need to observe any applicable legal requirements to enable them to obtain Shares. It is the responsibility of all Overseas Persons receiving the Prospectus and/or wishing to subscribe for Shares to satisfy themselves as to full observance of the laws of the relevant territory in connection therewith, including obtaining all necessary governmental or other consents that may be required and observing all other formalities needing to be observed and paying any issue, transfer or other taxes due in such territory.

In particular, no person receiving a copy of the Prospectus in any territory other than the UK may treat the same as constituting an offer or invitation to him/her, unless in the relevant territory such an offer can lawfully be made to him/her without compliance with any further registration or other legal requirements. Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) receiving the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form may not distribute or send it to any U.S. Person or in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction where to do so would or might contravene local securities laws or regulations including, but not limited to, the Excluded Territories.

The Company reserves the right to treat as invalid any agreement to subscribe for Shares if it appears to the Company or its agents to have been entered into in a manner that may involve a breach of the securities legislation of any jurisdiction.

TYPICAL INVESTOR

An investment in the Shares is only suitable for institutional investors, professionally-advised private investors and highly knowledgeable investors who understand and are capable of evaluating the risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses (which may equal the whole amount invested) that may result from such an investment.

PART 3

TAXATION

1 UNITED KINGDOM TAX TREATMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS UNDER REIT STATUS

1.1 Introduction

The following paragraphs are intended as a general guide only and are based on the Company's understanding of current UK tax law and HMRC practice as at the date of this Securities Note, each of which is subject to change, possibly with retrospective effect. They do not constitute advice.

The following paragraphs relate only to certain limited aspects of the United Kingdom taxation treatment of PIDs and Non-PID Dividends paid by the Company, and to disposals of Shares in the Company, in each case, assuming the Company maintains REIT status. Except where otherwise indicated, they apply only to Shareholders who are resident for tax purposes solely in the United Kingdom. They apply only to Shareholders who are the absolute beneficial owners of both their PIDs and their Shares and who hold their Shares as investments. They do not apply to Substantial Shareholders. They do not apply to certain categories of Shareholders, such as dealers in securities or distributions, persons who have or are deemed to have acquired their Shares by reason of their or another's employment, persons who hold their Shares as part of hedging or conversion transactions, or persons who hold their Shares in connection with a UK branch, agency or permanent establishment. Except where otherwise indicated at paragraph 1.3(d) (Withholding tax) below, they do not apply to persons holding Shares by virtue of an interest in any partnerships, insurance companies, life insurance companies, mutual companies, collective investment schemes, charities, trustees, local authorities, or pension scheme administrators.

Shareholders who are in any doubt about their tax position, or who are subject to tax in a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom, should consult their own appropriate independent professional adviser without delay, particularly concerning their tax liabilities on PIDs, whether they are entitled to claim any repayment of tax, and, if so, the procedure for doing so.

1.2 UK taxation of Non-PID Dividends

(a) Individual Shareholders

A Shareholder who is an individual resident for UK tax purposes in the UK and who receives a Non-PID Dividend from the Company will be entitled to a tax credit equal to one-ninth of the sum of the dividend received.

The Non-PID Dividend received plus the related tax credit (the "Gross Dividend") will be part of the Shareholder's total income for UK income tax purposes and will be regarded as the top slice of that income. However, in calculating the Shareholder's liability to UK income tax in respect of the Gross Dividend, the tax credit (which equates to 10 per cent. of the Gross Dividend) will be set off against any further tax chargeable on the Gross Dividend.

In the case of such a Shareholder who is not liable to UK income tax at either the higher or the additional rate, that Shareholder will be subject to UK income tax on the Gross Dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. The tax credit will, in consequence, satisfy in full the Shareholder's liability to UK income tax on the Gross Dividend.

In the case of a Shareholder who is liable to UK income tax at the higher rate, the Shareholder will be subject to UK income tax on the Gross Dividend at the rate of 32.5 per cent., to the extent that the Gross Dividend falls above the threshold for the higher rate of UK income tax but below the threshold for the additional rate of UK income tax when it is treated (as mentioned above) as the top slice of the Shareholder's income. The tax credit will, in consequence, satisfy only part of the Shareholder's liability to UK income tax on the Gross Dividend and the Shareholder will have to account for UK income tax equal to 22.5 per cent. of the Gross Dividend. Thus, the effective tax rate applicable to the Non-PID Dividend received by such a Shareholder would be 25 per cent.

In the case of a Shareholder who is liable to UK income tax at the additional rate, the Shareholder will be subject to UK income tax on the Gross Dividend at the rate of 37.5 per cent., to the extent that the Gross Dividend falls above the threshold for the additional rate of UK income tax when it is treated (as mentioned above) as the top slice of the Shareholder's income. After setting off the tax credit comprised in the Gross Dividend, the Shareholder will, accordingly, have to account for UK income tax equal to 27.5 per cent. of the Gross Dividend. Thus, the effective tax rate applicable to the Non-PID Dividend received by such a Shareholder would be approximately 30.6 per cent.

A UK resident individual Shareholder whose liability to UK income tax in respect of a Non-PID Dividend received from the Company is less than the tax credit attaching to it will not be entitled to any repayment from HMRC in respect of any part of the tax credit attaching to the Non-PID Dividend.

From 6 April 2016 the dividend tax credit will be replaced by a new dividend allowance in the form of a 0 per cent. tax rate on the first £5,000 of dividend income per year. UK resident individual Shareholders will pay tax on any dividends received over the £5,000 allowance at the following rates: 7.5 per cent. on dividend income within the basic rate band, 32.5 per cent. on dividend income within the higher rate band and 38.1% on dividend income within the additional rate band.

(b) Corporate Shareholders

A Shareholder within the charge to UK corporation tax which is a "small company" (for the purposes of UK taxation of dividends) will not generally be subject to tax on Non-PID Dividends from the Company, provided certain conditions are met.

Other Shareholders within the charge to UK corporation tax will not be subject to tax on Non-PID Dividends from the Company so long as they fall within an exempt class and do not fall within certain specified anti-avoidance provisions. Examples of dividends that are within an exempt class are dividends paid on "non-redeemable ordinary shares" for UK tax purposes and dividends in respect of portfolio holdings, where the recipient owns less than 10 per cent. of the issued share capital of the payer (or any class of that share capital).

1.3 UK taxation of PIDs

(a) UK taxation of individual Shareholders

Subject to certain exceptions, a PID will generally be treated in the hands of Shareholders who are individuals as the profit of a single UK property business (as defined in Section 264 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005). A PID is, together with any property income distribution from any other company to which Part 12 of the CTA 2010 applies, treated as a separate UK property business from any other UK property business (a "different UK property business") carried on by the relevant Shareholder. This means that surplus expenses from a Shareholder's different UK property business cannot be offset against a PID as part of a single calculation of the profits of the Shareholder's UK property business.

Please see also paragraph (d) (Withholding tax) below.

(b) UK taxation of corporate Shareholders

Subject to certain exceptions, a PID will generally be treated in the hands of Shareholders who are within the charge to UK corporation tax as profit of a UK property business (as defined in Section 205 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009). This means that, subject to the availability of any exemptions or reliefs, such Shareholders should be liable to UK corporation tax on income on the entire amount of their PID. A PID is, together with any property income distribution from any other company to which Part 12 of the CTA 2010 applies, treated as a different UK property business carried on by the relevant Shareholder. This means that any surplus expenses from a Shareholder's different UK property business cannot be off-set against a PID as part of a single calculation of the Shareholder's UK property profits.

Please see also paragraph (d) (Withholding tax) below.

(c) UK taxation of Shareholders who are not resident for tax purposes in the UK

Where a Shareholder who is resident outside the UK receives a PID, the PID will generally be chargeable to UK income tax as profit of a UK property business and this tax will generally be collected by way of a withholding by the Company.

Please see also paragraph (d) (Withholding tax) below.

  • (d) Withholding tax
  • General

Subject to certain exceptions summarised below, the Company is required to withhold income tax at source at the basic rate (currently 20 per cent.) from its PIDs. The Company will provide Shareholders with a certificate setting out the amount of tax withheld.

• Shareholders solely resident in the UK

Where UK income tax has been withheld at source, Shareholders who are individuals may, depending on their circumstances, either be liable to further tax on their PID at their applicable marginal rate, or be entitled to claim repayment of some or all of the tax withheld on their PID. Shareholders who are bodies corporate may, depending upon their circumstances, be liable to pay UK corporation tax on their PID but they should note that, where income tax is (exceptionally) withheld at source, the tax withheld can be set against the Shareholder's liability to UK corporation tax in the accounting period in which the PID is received.

• Shareholders who are not resident for tax purposes in the UK

It is not possible for a Shareholder to make a claim under a relevant double taxation treaty with the UK for a PID to be paid by the Company gross or at a reduced rate. The Shareholder may be able to claim repayment of any part of the tax withheld from a PID, depending on the existence and terms of any such double taxation treaty between the UK and the country in which the Shareholder is resident for tax purposes.

• Exceptions to requirement to withhold income tax

Shareholders should note that in certain circumstances the Company may not be obliged to withhold UK income tax at source from a PID. These include where the Company reasonably believes that the person beneficially entitled to the PID is a company resident for tax purposes in the UK, a charity, or a body which is allowed the same exemption from tax as a charity. They also include where the Company reasonably believes that the PID is paid to the scheme administrator of a registered pension scheme, or the sub-scheme administrator of certain pension sub-schemes or the account manager of an ISA, provided the Company reasonably believes that the PID will be applied for the purposes of the relevant scheme or account.

The Company will also not be required to withhold income tax at source from a PID where the Company reasonably believes that the body beneficially entitled to the PID is a partnership each member of which is a body described in the paragraph above.

In order to pay a PID without withholding tax, the Company will need to be satisfied that the Shareholder concerned is entitled to that treatment. For that purpose the Company will require such Shareholders to submit a valid claim form.

1.4 UK taxation of chargeable gains, stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax ("SDRT") in respect of Shares

Subject to the first paragraph of paragraph 1.1 above, the following comments apply to both individual and corporate Shareholders, regardless of whether or not such Shareholders are resident for tax purposes in the UK.

(a) UK taxation of chargeable gains

Individual Shareholders who are resident in the UK for tax purposes will generally be subject to UK capital gains tax in respect of any gain arising on a disposal of their Shares. Each such individual has an annual exemption, such that capital gains tax is chargeable only on gains arising from all sources during the tax year in excess of this figure. The annual exemption is £11,100 for the tax year 2015-2016. Capital gains tax chargeable will be at the current rate of 18 per cent. (for basic rate tax payers) and 28 per cent. (for higher and additional rate tax payers) for the tax year 2015-2016.

Shareholders who are individuals and who are temporarily non-resident in the UK may, under anti-avoidance legislation, still be liable to UK tax on any capital gain realised (subject to any available exemption or relief).

Corporate Shareholders who are resident in the UK for tax purposes will generally be subject to UK corporation tax on chargeable gains arising on a disposal of their Shares. The indexation allowance may reduce the amount of chargeable gain that is subject to UK corporation tax but may not create or increase any allowable loss. Capital losses realised on a disposal of Shares must be set as far as possible against chargeable gains for the same tax year (or accounting period in the case of a corporate Shareholder), even if this reduces an individual Shareholder's total gain below the annual exemption. Any balance of losses is carried forward without time limit and set off against net chargeable gains (that is, after deducting the annual exemption) in the earliest later tax year. Losses cannot generally be carried back, with the exception of losses accruing to an individual Shareholder in the year of his death.

(b) UK stamp duty and SDRT

No UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax will generally be payable on the issue, allotment and registration of Shares.

Transfers on sale of Shares will generally be subject to UK stamp duty at the rate of 0.5 per cent. of the consideration given for the transfer. The purchaser normally pays the stamp duty.

An agreement to transfer Shares will normally give rise to a charge to SDRT at the rate of 0.5 per cent. of the amount or value of the consideration payable for the transfer. If a duly stamped transfer in respect of the agreement is produced within six years of the date on which the agreement is made (or, if the agreement is conditional, the date on which the agreement becomes unconditional) any SDRT paid is repayable, generally with interest, and otherwise the SDRT charge is cancelled. SDRT is, in general, payable by the purchaser.

Paperless transfers of Shares within the CREST system will generally be liable to SDRT, rather than stamp duty, at the rate of 0.5 per cent, of the amount or value of the consideration payable. CREST is obliged to collect SDRT on relevant transactions settled within the CREST system. Deposits of Shares into CREST will not generally be subject to SDRT, unless the transfer into CREST is itself for consideration.

1.5 ISA, SSAS and SIPP

Other than pursuant to the Initial Placing, Shares are eligible for inclusion in ISAs. Investments held in ISAs will be free of UK tax on both capital gains and income. The opportunity to invest in Shares through an ISA is restricted to certain UK resident individuals aged 18 or over. Sums received by a Shareholder on a disposal of Shares would not count towards the Shareholder's annual limit (£15,240 for the tax year 2015/2016); but a disposal of Shares held in an ISA will not serve to make available again any part of the annual subscription limit that has already been used by the Shareholder in that tax year.

Subject to the rules of the trustees of the SIPP or SSAS, the Shares are eligible for inclusion in a SIPP or SSAS provided, broadly, that the pension scheme member (or a connected person) does not occupy or use any residential property held by the Company and the SIPP or SSAS in question does not hold (directly or indirectly) more than 10 per cent. of any of the Shares or the Company's voting rights or rights to income or amounts on a distribution or rights to the assets on a winding up.

PART 4

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1 SHARE CAPITAL

  • 1.1 The principal legislation under which the Company operates, and under which the Shares were created, is the Companies Act. The Shares are denominated in Sterling.
  • 1.2 The Company's share capital: (i) as at the date of this Securities Note, and (ii) as it will be immediately following Initial Admission (assuming 83.7 million Shares are issued) is as follows:
Shares
Aggregate nominal
Number value (£)
(i) As at the date of this Securities Note 385,000,001 3,850,000.01
(ii) Immediately following Initial Admission 468,700,001 4,687,000.01
  • 1.3 On incorporation on 11 February 2014, one Share was issued at £1.00 (fully paid) for the purposes of incorporation to Paul Hadaway as the subscriber to the Company's memorandum of association.
  • 1.4 The following changes in the share capital of the Company have taken place between 11 February 2014 and the date of this Securities Note:
  • (a) on 29 April 2014, 50,000 restricted shares of £1.00 each in aggregate were issued at par (fully paid) to Timothy Attlee and Paul Hadaway (25,000 restricted shares to each);
  • (b) on 30 June 2014, 85,000,000 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at an issue price of £1.00 per Share;
  • (c) on 30 June 2014, the 50,000 restricted shares were redeemed out of the proceeds of the placing and offer for subscription at par value and cancelled;
  • (d) on 24 November 2014, 65,000,000 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at an issue price of £1.01 per Share (being the first tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme);
  • (e) on 17 March 2015, 82,926,829 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.025 per Share (being the second tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme);
  • (f) on 27 July 2015, 70,921,985 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.0575 per Share (being the third tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme); and
  • (g) on 27 October 2015, 81,151,186 Shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription at a price of £1.065 per Share (being the final tranche of the First Share Issuance Programme).
  • 1.5 The effect of the Initial Issue will be to increase the net assets of the Company. On the assumption that the Gross Proceeds are £90 million, the Initial Issue is expected to increase the net assets of the Company by c.£88.2 million.

  • 1.6 On 4 November 2015, resolutions of the Company were passed at its annual general meeting for the following purposes:

  • (a) that the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot Shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, Shares in the Company ("Rights"):
    • (i) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,002,701.00; and
    • (ii) allot equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the Act), up to a further aggregate nominal amount of £2,005,402.00 in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue to:
    • (A) Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings; and
    • (B) holders of other equity securities, if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the Directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities,

but subject to such exclusions and other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary or appropriate in relation to fractional entitlements, record dates, treasury shares or any legal, regulatory or practical problems under the law of any territory (including the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange) or any other matter; and

such authority to expire (unless previously revoked by the Company) on the earlier of 15 months from the date of the annual general meeting at which the resolution is passed and the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company and in each case the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require Shares to be allotted or Rights to be granted after the authority has expired and the Directors may allot Shares or grant Rights in pursuance of any such offer or agreement notwithstanding that the authority has expired; and all previous authorities to allot Shares or grant Rights, to the extent unused, shall be revoked.

  • (b) that subject to the passing of the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above, the Directors shall have the power to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act) for cash under the authority referred to in the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power shall be limited to:
  • (i) the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer or issue of equity securities (but in the case of the authority granted under paragraph (ii) of the resolution summarised at paragraph (a) above, by way of a rights issue only) to or in favour of:
    • (A) Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings; and
    • (B) holders of other equity securities, if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the Directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities,

but subject to such exclusions and other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary or appropriate in relation to fractional entitlements, record dates, treasury shares or any legal, regulatory or practical problems under the law of any territory (including the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange) or any other matter; and

(ii) the allotment of equity securities (otherwise than under paragraph (i) of the resolution summarised in this paragraph (b)) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £303,848.00

this power shall expire when the authority given by the resolution above is revoked or expires but the Company may before expiry of this power make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement notwithstanding that the power had expired; and the power applies in relation to a sale of treasury shares which constitutes an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Act.

  • (c) that the Company be and it is hereby, generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of sections 693 and 701 of the Act to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of Shares upon such terms and in such manner as the Directors shall determine, provided that:
  • (i) the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorised to be purchased is 45,546,937;
  • (ii) the minimum price which may be paid for such Shares is £0.01 per Share (exclusive of expenses);
  • (iii) the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share cannot be more than an amount equal to the higher of:
    • (A) 105 per cent of the average of the closing middle market price for a Share as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business day immediately prior to the day the purchase is made; and
    • (B) the higher of the price of the last independent trade of a Share as derived from the trading venue or venues where the purchase is carried out;
  • (iv) unless previously renewed, varied or revoked, the authority conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2016 or 15 months from the date of the resolution, whichever is earlier,
  • (v) the Company may make a contract or contracts to purchase Shares under the above authority prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority and may make a purchase of Shares in pursuance of any such contract or contracts.
  • (d) that, a general meeting of the Company other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.

  • 1.7 On 17 March 2016 resolutions of the Company will be considered at the General Meeting for the following purposes:

  • (a) that, the Directors are generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot up to 165 million Shares in connection with the Share Issuance Programme, such authority to expire on 17 March 2017 (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting), save that the Company may, at any time prior to the expiry of such authority, make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require the allotment of Shares in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if such authority had not expired.
  • (b) that, conditionally upon the passing of the authority referred to in paragraph 1.7(a) above, the Directors are generally empowered (pursuant to section 570 of the Act) to allot Shares for cash pursuant to the authority referred to in paragraph 1.7(a) above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power to expire on 17 March 2017 (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting), save that the Company may, at any time prior to the expiry of such power, make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require Shares to be allotted after the expiry of such power and the Directors may allot Shares in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if such power had not expired.
  • 1.8 In accordance with the power granted to the Directors, it is expected that the Shares to be issued pursuant to each Tranche will be allotted (conditionally upon the relevant Admission) pursuant to a resolution of the Board to be passed shortly before the relevant Admission of such Shares, in accordance with the Companies Act.
  • 1.9 All of the Shares are in registered form and are eligible for settlement in CREST. Temporary documents of title will not be issued. The Company utilises the services of Computershare Investor Services PLC as registrar in relation to the transfer and settlement of Shares held in uncertificated form.

2 INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

2.1 Other than as set out in the table below, as at 29 February 2016 (being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this Securities Note), the Company was not aware of any person who was directly or indirectly interested in 3 per cent. of more of the issued share capital of the Company:

Percentage of
Number of issued share
Name Shares capital (%)
Schroders plc 40,685,914 10.57
Investec Wealth & Investment Limited 29,221,146 7.59
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Pension Fund 24,756,828 6.43
CCLA Investment Management Limited 21,922,495 5.69
SG Hambros Bank Limited 20,355,208 5.29
Avenue Europe Management LLP 16,329,718 4.24
BlackRock, Inc 14,123,202 3.67
Asset Value Investors 13,352,000 3.47
Jefferies International Limited 11,922,979 3.10
Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited 11,788,870 3.06
  • 2.2 Other than as disclosed above, the Company and the Directors are not aware of any person who as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Securities Note), directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercises or could exercise control over the Company, nor are they aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.
  • 2.3 Save as set out below, no Director has any interests (beneficial or non-beneficial) in the share capital of the Company as at 29 February 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Securities Note):
Percentage of
Number of issued share
Director Shares capital (%)
Baroness Dean 33,500 0.01
Timothy Attlee 875,000 0.23
Paul Hadaway 1,094,001 0.28
Michael Enright(*) 645,000 0.17
Jim Prower(**) 23,760 0.01
Stephen Alston 26,300 0.01

(*) 20,000 of these Shares are held on behalf of Mr. Enright's children. (**) 11,880 of these Shares are held by Mr. Prower's wife.

3 RIGHTS ATTACHED TO THE SHARES

The Articles contain provisions, inter alia, to the following effect:

3.1 Voting rights

  • (a) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, to any special terms as to voting on which any shares may have been issued or may from time-to-time be held and to any suspension or abrogation of voting rights pursuant to the Articles, at any general meeting, every member who is present in person shall, on a show of hands, have one vote, every proxy who has been appointed by a member entitled to vote on the resolution shall, on a show of hands, have one vote and every member present in person or by proxy shall, on a poll, have one vote for each share of which he is a holder. A shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or vest all the votes he uses the same way. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders.
  • (b) Unless the Board otherwise determines, no member shall be entitled to receive any dividends or be present and vote at a general meeting or a separate general meeting of the holders of any class of shares, either in person or (save as proxy for another member) by proxy, or be reckoned in a quorum, or to exercise any other right or privilege as a member in respect of a share held by him, unless and until he shall have paid all calls for the time being due and payable by him in respect of that share, whether alone or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if any) payable by him to the Company or if he, or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in such shares, has been issued with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares and has failed in relation to any such shares to give the Company the required information within 14 days.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles, where required by the Listing Rules, a vote must be decided by a resolution of the holders of the Company's shares that have been admitted to premium listing. In addition, where the Listing Rules require that a particular resolution must in addition be approved by the independent shareholders (as such term is defined in the Listing Rules), only independent shareholders who hold the Company's shares that have been admitted to premium listing can vote on such separate resolution.

3.2 Dividends

  • (a) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and of the Articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution declare dividends to be paid to members according to their respective rights and interests in the profits of the Company. However, no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Board.
  • (b) Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Board may declare and pay such interim dividends (including any dividend payable at a fixed rate) as appears to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company available for distribution. If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may pay such interim dividends on shares which rank after shares conferring preferential rights with regard to dividends as well as on shares conferring preferential rights, unless at the time of payment any preferential dividend is in arrears. Provided that the Board acts in good faith, it shall not incur any liability to the holders of shares conferring preferential rights for any loss that they may suffer by the lawful payment of any interim dividend on any shares ranking after those preferential rights.
  • (c) All dividends, interest or other sums payable and unclaimed for a period of 12 months after having become payable may be invested or otherwise used by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed and the Company shall not be constituted a trustee in respect thereof. All dividends unclaimed for a period of 12 years after having become payable shall, if the Board so resolves, be forfeited and shall cease to remain owing by, and shall become the property of, the Company.
  • (d) The Board may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company, direct that payment of any dividend declared may be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company, or in any one or more of such ways.
  • (e) The Board may also, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company and subject to the Articles and such terms and conditions as the Board may determine, offer to holders of shares the right to elect to receive shares of the same class, credited as fully paid, instead of the whole (or some part, to be determined by the Board) of any dividend specified by the ordinary resolution.
  • (f) Unless the Board otherwise determines, the payment of any dividend or other money that would otherwise be payable in respect of shares will be withheld by the Company if such shares represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of their class and the holder, or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in those shares, has been duly served with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares and has failed to supply the required information within 14 days. Furthermore such a holder shall not be entitled to elect to receive shares instead of a dividend.

3.3 Winding up

  • (a) If the Company is wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution and any other sanction required by law and subject to the Companies Act, divide among the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as he may with the like sanction determine, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other securities upon which there is a liability.
  • (b) The Directors are required to propose an ordinary resolution that the Company continue its business as presently constituted (the "Continuation Resolution") at the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2017. If the Continuation Resolution is not passed, the Directors will formulate proposals to be put to Shareholders to reorganise, restructure or wind-up the Company and to present such proposals to Shareholders within 60 days of the date of the annual general meeting at which the continuation resolution was proposed.

3.4 Transfer of shares

  • (a) Subject to such of the restrictions in the Articles as may be applicable, each member may transfer all or any of his shares which are in certificated form by instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or in any form approved by the Board. Such instrument shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and (in the case of a transfer of a share which is not fully paid up) by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of such share until the name of the transferee is entered in the register of members.
  • (b) The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of a share in certificated form (or renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment) unless:
  • (i) it is in respect of a share which is fully paid up;
  • (ii) it is in respect of only one class of shares;
  • (iii) it is in favour of a single transferee or not more than four joint transferees;
  • (iv) it is duly stamped (if so required); and
  • (v) it is delivered for registration to the registered office for the time being of the Company or such other place as the Board may from time-to-time determine, accompanied (except in the case of (a) a transfer by a recognised person where a certificate has not been issued (b) a transfer of an uncertificated share or (c) a renunciation) by the certificate for the share to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor or person renouncing and the due execution of the transfer or renunciation by him or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person to do so,

provided that the Board shall not refuse to register a transfer or renunciation of a partly paid share in certificated form on the grounds that it is partly paid in circumstances where such refusal would prevent dealings in such share from taking place on an open and proper basis on the market on which such share is admitted to trading. The Board may refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated share in such other circumstances as may be permitted or required by the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755) and the relevant electronic system.

  • (c) Unless the Board otherwise determines, a transfer of shares will not be registered if the transferor or any other person whom the Company reasonably believes to be interested in the transferor's shares has been duly served with a notice pursuant to the Companies Act requiring such person to provide information about his interests in the Company's shares, has failed to supply the required information within 14 days and the shares in respect of which such notice has been served represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of their class, unless the member is not himself in default as regards supplying the information required and proves to the satisfaction of the Board that no person in default as regards supplying such information is interested in any of the shares the subject of the transfer, or unless such transfer is by way of acceptance of a takeover offer, in consequence of a sale on a recognised investment exchange or any other stock exchange outside the United Kingdom on which the Company's shares are normally traded or is in consequence of a bona fide sale to an unconnected party.
  • (d) If the Board refuses to register a transfer of a Share, it shall send the transferee notice of its refusal, together with its reasons for refusal, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company.
  • (e) No fee shall be charged for the registration of any instrument of transfer or any other document relating to or affecting the title to any shares.
  • (f) If at any time the holding or beneficial ownership of any shares in the Company by any person (whether on its own or taken with other shares), in the opinion of the Directors (i) would cause the assets of the Company to be treated as "plan assets" of any benefit plan investor under Section 3(42) of ERISA or the U.S. Code; or (ii) would or might result in the Company and/or its shares being required to register or qualify under the U.S. Investment Company Act and/or the U.S. Securities Act and/or the U.S. Exchange Act and/or any laws of any state of the U.S. that regulate the offering and sale of securities; or (iii) may cause the Company not to be considered a "Foreign Private Issuer" under the U.S. Exchange Act and U.S. Securities Act; or (iv) may cause the Company to be a "controlled foreign corporation" for the purpose of the U.S. Code; or (v) creates a significant legal or regulatory issue for the Company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (as amended) or regulations or interpretations thereunder, then any shares which the Directors decide are shares which are so held or beneficially owned ("Prohibited Shares") must be dealt with in accordance with paragraph 3.4(g) below. The Directors may at any time give notice in writing to the holder of a share requiring him to make a declaration as to whether or not the share is a Prohibited Share.
  • (g) The Directors shall give written notice to the holder of any share which appears to them to be a Prohibited Share requiring him within 21 days (or such extended time as the Directors consider reasonable) to transfer (and/or procure the disposal of interests in) such share to another person so that it will cease to be a Prohibited Share. From the date of such notice until registration for such a transfer or a transfer arranged by the Directors as referred to below, the share will not confer any right on the holder to receive notice of or to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company and of any class of shareholder and those rights will vest

in the Chairman of any such meeting, who may exercise or refrain from exercising them entirely at his discretion. If the notice is not complied with within 21 days to the satisfaction of the Directors, the Directors shall arrange for the Company to sell the share at the best price reasonably obtainable to any other person so that the share will cease to be a Prohibited Share. The net proceeds of sale (after payment of the Company's costs of sale and together with interest at such rate as the Directors consider appropriate) shall be paid over by the Company to the former holder upon surrender by him of the relevant share certificate (if applicable).

(h) Upon transfer of a share the transferee of such share shall be deemed to have represented and warranted to the Company that such transferee is acquiring shares in an offshore transaction meeting the requirements of Regulation S and is not, nor is acting on behalf of: (i) a benefit plan investor and no portion of the assets used by such transferee to acquire or hold an interest in such share constitutes or will be treated as "plan assets" of any benefit plan investor under Section 3(42) of ERISA; and/or (ii) a U.S. Person.

3.5 Variation of rights

  • (a) If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into shares of different classes, any of the rights for the time being attached to any shares (whether or not the Company may be or is about to be wound up) may from time-to-time be varied or abrogated in such manner (if any) as may be provided in the Articles by such rights or, in the absence of any such provision, either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of the relevant class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the class duly convened and held in accordance with the Companies Act.
  • (b) The quorum at every such meeting shall be not less than two persons present (in person or by proxy) holding at least one-third of the nominal amount paid up on the issued shares of the relevant class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) and at an adjourned meeting not less than one person holding shares of the relevant class or his proxy.

3.6 Alteration of share capital

The Company may, from time to time, by ordinary resolution:

  • (a) authorise the Directors to increase its share capital by allotting new shares;
  • (b) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger nominal amount than its existing shares;
  • (c) subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, sub-divide its shares or any of them, into shares of smaller nominal amount and may by such resolution determine that, as between the shares resulting from such a sub-division, one or more of the shares may, as compared with the others, have any such preferred, deferred or other special rights or be subject to any such restrictions, as the Company has power to attach to new shares; and
  • (d) redenominate its share capital by converting shares from having a fixed nominal value in one currency to having a fixed nominal value in another currency.

4 CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

4.1 Mandatory bid

The Takeover Code applies to the Company. Under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code, if:

  • a person acquires an interest in Shares which, when taken together with Shares already held by him or persons acting in concert with him, carry 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights in the Company; or
  • a person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in not less than 30 per cent. and not more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights in the Company acquires additional interests in Shares which increase the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which that person is interested,

the acquirer and, depending on the circumstances, its concert parties, would be required (except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers) to make a cash offer for the outstanding Shares at a price not less than the highest price paid for any interests in the Shares by the acquirer or its concert parties during the previous 12 months.

4.2 Compulsory acquisition

Under Sections 974 – 991 of the Companies Act, if an offeror acquires or contracts to acquire (pursuant to a takeover offer) not less than 90 per cent. of the Shares (in value and by voting rights) to which such offer relates it may then compulsorily acquire the outstanding Shares not assented to the offer. It would do so by sending a notice to outstanding holders of Shares telling them that it will compulsorily acquire their Shares and then, six weeks later, it would execute a transfer of the outstanding Shares in its favour and pay the consideration to the Company, which would hold the consideration on trust for the outstanding holders of Shares. The consideration offered to the holders whose Shares are compulsorily acquired under the Companies Act must, in general, be the same as the consideration that was available under the takeover offer.

In addition, pursuant to Section 983 of the Companies Act, if an offeror acquires or agrees to acquire not less than 90 per cent. of the Shares (in value and by voting rights) to which the offer relates, any holder of Shares to which the offer relates who has not accepted the offer may require the offeror to acquire his Shares on the same terms as the takeover offer.

The offeror would be required to give any holder of Shares notice of his right to be bought out within one month of that right arising. Sell-out rights cannot be exercised after the end of the period of three months from the last date on which the offer can be accepted or, if later, three months from the date on which the notice is served on the holder of Shares notifying them of their sell-out rights. If a holder of Shares exercises its rights, the offeror is bound to acquire those Shares on the terms of the takeover offer or on such other terms as may be agreed.

5 WORKING CAPITAL

The Company is of the opinion that the working capital available to the Group is sufficient for its present requirements, that is for at least the next 12 months from the date of this Securities Note.

6 CAPITALISATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

The following table, sourced from the Company's internal accounting records, shows the Company's unaudited indebtedness (distinguishing between guaranteed and unguaranteed, secured and unsecured indebtedness) and capitalisation as at 31 December 2015 being the date of the Group's last published unaudited interim accounts:

31 December
2015
(unaudited)
(£'000)
Total current debt:
Guaranteed
Secured 750
Unguaranteed/unsecured
Total non-current debt (excluding current portion of long-term debt):
Guaranteed
Secured 101,872
Unguaranteed/unsecured
––––––––––
Total indebtedness 102,622
––––––––––
31 December
2015
(unaudited)
(£'000)
Capitalisation:
Share capital 3,850
Legal reserves 238,952
Other reserves 134,530
Total capitalisation ––––––––––
377,332
––––––––––

(1) Other reserves comprise the capital reduction reserve, but exclude retained earnings and the cash flow hedge reserve.

The following table shows the Company's unaudited net indebtedness as at 31 December 2015:

31 December
2015
(unaudited)
(£'000)
Cash 147,806
Cash equivalent
Trading securities
–––––––––
Liquidity 147,806
–––––––––
Current financial receivables(1) 2,207
Current bank debt
Current portion of non-current debt 750
Other current financial debt
–––––––––
Current financial debt 750
–––––––––
Net-current financial liquidity 149,263
–––––––––
Non-current bank loans 101,872
Bonds issued
Other non-current loans
Non-current financial indebtedness 101,872
–––––––––
Net financial liquidity 47,391
–––––––––

(1) Current financial receivables represent cash held by Collegiate AC.

As at 31 December 2015 the Group had no indirect or contingent indebtedness.

7 INTERMEDIARIES

The Intermediaries authorised at the date of this Securities Note to use the Prospectus in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to the Initial Issue are:

Name Address
AJ Bell Youinvest Trafford House, Chester Road, Manchester M32 0RS
Alliance Trust Savings Limited PO Box 164, 8 West Marketgait, Dundee, DD1 9YP
Barclays Bank Plc 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP
Jarvis Investment Management Ltd 78 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8BS
Redmayne Bentley LLP 9 Bond Court, Leeds LS1 2JZ

8 GENERAL

  • 8.1 On the assumption that Gross Proceeds of £90 million are raised pursuant to the Initial Issue, the expenses payable by the Company will not exceed £1.8 million (being 2 per cent. of the Gross Proceeds), resulting in Net Proceeds of approximately £88.2 million.
  • 8.2 The actual Net Proceeds are not known as at the date of this Securities Note but will be notified by the Company via a Regulatory Information Service announcement prior to Initial Admission in relation to the Shares issued pursuant to the Initial Issue.

  • 8.3 The total net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme will depend on the number of Shares issued throughout the Share Issuance Programme, the applicable Issue Price of such Shares, and the aggregate costs and commissions for each Tranche. However, assuming that the maximum number of Shares available under the Share Issuance Programme (including the Initial Issue) are issued at an Issue Price of 107.5 pence per Share with aggregate costs and commissions of approximately £3.6 million, the total net proceeds of the Share Issuance Programme would be approximately £173.8 million.

  • 8.4 Where third party information has been referenced in this Securities Note, the source of that third party information has been disclosed. All information in this Securities Note that has been sourced from third parties has been accurately reproduced and, as far as the Company is aware and able to ascertain from information published by such third parties, no facts have been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading.

PART 5

AIFMD – ARTICLE 23 DISCLOSURES

This Part 5 contains the information required to be made available to investors in the Company before they invest, pursuant to Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Alternative Investment Fund Managers and UK implementing measures (the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations No.1773/2013, and consequential amendments to the FCA Handbook).

The table below sets out information required to be disclosed pursuant to the AIFM Directive and related national implementing measures.

This Part 5 contains solely that information that the Company (as its own AIFM) is required to make available to investors pursuant to the AIFM Directive and should not be relied upon as the basis for any investment decision.

DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT DISCLOSURE OR LOCATION OF RELEVANT
DISCLOSURE
1(a) a description of the
investment strategy and
objectives of the Company
The investment objective of the Company is to provide
Shareholders with regular, sustainable and growing long
term dividends (which it will seek to grow at least in line with
the Retail Prices Index inflation index) together with the
potential for capital appreciation over the medium to long
term.
Investment policy
The Company meets its investment objective through
acquiring, owning, leasing and developing high quality
student residential accommodation in the UK let on direct
tenancy agreements to tenants enrolled with Higher
Education Institutions ("HEIs"). The Company will invest in
modern, high-end, student accommodation assets with a
focus on quality, and generally located in prime city centre
locations in top university cities and towns. The Company is
focused on investing in, and developing, high quality self
contained residential accommodation in locations where the
Executive Directors believe attractive opportunities exist for
the Company to exploit demand for student residential
accommodation at the higher end of the quality scale. To
deliver the high quality and high-end experience, the
individual sizes of the assets are generally expected to be
between 50 to 200 beds. In addition, each property will
generally have:

studios and 1 – 3 bedroom apartments;

generous space per student bed;

all rooms with en-suite bathroom and kitchen facilities;
and

communal facilities to typically include: a cinema
room, study rooms, a gym and break-out areas.
The
Company
anticipates
that
rental
income
will
predominantly be generated from direct leases and/or
licences to students (with the rent being inclusive of
wifi/internet, all utilities, and access to on-site amenities).
The Company also anticipates benefitting from ancillary
commercial
lease
opportunities
within
student
accommodation properties, including (but not limited to)
retail outlets and mobile telephone transmission apparatus.
The Company may in due course derive rental income from
agreements with students that are guaranteed by HEIs or
directly with HEIs. The Company may enter into soft
nominations agreements (being marketing arrangements
with HEIs to place their students in private accommodation).
The Company will target upper quartile rental values,
primarily servicing postgraduate and international students.
The Group may acquire assets through acquisitions of the
underlying property or through the acquisition of the
subsidiary companies or other investment vehicles through
which such properties are owned. The Company may
opportunistically
acquire
portfolios
of
student
accommodation properties. Following such a transaction,
individual properties within such a portfolio, which do not
meet the Group's required standards or which cannot be
cost effectively refurbished, may be sold.
The Company also undertakes limited development of new
buildings or conversion of existing properties for student
accommodation and related services pursuant to the terms
of the joint venture arrangement between the Company and
Revcap, with other development partners or solely without a
third party partner. Save for such development assets that
may be held by the Group in 50/50 joint venture companies
during the development phase of such projects, the Group
intends to have sole ownership of all investments.
The Company will also focus on the acquisition of properties
which benefit from "Multiple Dwelling Relief", reducing SDLT
on the value of such student accommodation units from
4 per cent. to 1 per cent.
The Board intends to hold the Group's investments on a
long term basis. The Group, however, may dispose of
investments outside of this time frame, should an
appropriate opportunity arise where, in the Board's opinion,
the value that could be realised from such a disposal would
represent a satisfactory return on the initial investment
and/or otherwise enhance the value of the Group, taken as
a whole. There is no limit on the number of investments
which the Group may dispose of from the portfolio (subject
always to maintaining compliance with the investment
restrictions that form part of the investment policy).
(b) if the Company is a feeder
fund, information on where the
master fund is established;
N/a
(c) if the Company is a fund of
funds, information on where the
underlying funds are
established;
N/a
(d) a description of the types of
assets in which the Company
may invest;
The Company meets its investment objective through
acquiring owning, leasing and developing premium student
residential accommodation in the UK let on direct tenancy
agreements to tenants enrolled with HEIs. The Company will
invest in modern, high-end, student accommodation assets
with a focus on quality, and generally located in prime city
centre locations in top university cities and towns. The
Company is focused on investing in, and developing, high
quality
self-contained
residential
accommodation
in
locations where the Executive Directors believe attractive
opportunities exist for the Company to exploit demand for
student residential accommodation at the higher end of the
quality scale.
(e) the investment techniques Investment origination
that the Company may employ
and all associated risks;
The Executive Directors have established a network of
contacts in the UK student accommodation sector from
which potential investment flows are sourced. This network
includes owner/operators, investment funds, developers,
property agents and other proprietary real estate contacts.
The Company focuses on acquiring (or developing) assets
in towns and cities with high-quality HEIs, an attractive
imbalance of supply and demand in existing student
accommodation and a student profile (typically with
numerous overseas and graduate students) that supports
the strategy of targeting higher rental rates.
As referred to in the investment policy, the Company
generally targets prime central locations in order to increase
the alternative use value of the properties and to limit the
risk of obsolescence.
Due Diligence
Following
initial
screening,
short
listed
investment
opportunities and projects will be subjected to detailed
financial, legal and technical due diligence by the Company.
Following the successful conclusion of this due diligence
process, a formal investment proposal and business plan for
the investment will be prepared.
Approval and execution
All investments are approved by the Board.
Summary of key risks

The Company has a limited operating history.

The Company may not meet its investment objective.

Investor
returns
will
be
dependent
upon
the
performance of the
Property Portfolio and the
Company may experience fluctuations in its operating
results.

The Group's rental income and property values may
be adversely affected by increased supply of student
accommodation, the failure to collect rents, increasing
operating costs or any deterioration in the quality of
the properties in the Property Portfolio.

The Group may not be able to maintain or increase
the rental rates for its rooms, which may, in the longer
term, have a material adverse impact on the value of
the Group's properties, as well as the Group's
turnover.

The Group may not be able to maintain the occupancy
rates of the Group's properties or any other student
accommodation properties it acquires, which may
have a material adverse effect on the Group's revenue
performance, margins and asset values.

Property valuation is inherently subjective and
uncertain.

Competition with other participants in the student
accommodation sector.

Availability of investment opportunities.

Risks relating to the use of leverage.

Construction of the Group's development projects
may be subject to delays or disruptions that are
outside of the Group's control.

If the Group fails to maintain REIT status for UK tax
purposes, its profits and gains will be subject to UK
corporation tax.
(f) any applicable investment Investment restrictions
restrictions; The Company will invest and manage its assets with the
objective of spreading risk through the following investment
restrictions:

the Company will generate its rental income from a
portfolio of not less than five separate buildings (such
minimum to exclude development projects, and to
count two or more buildings in close proximity or on
the same campus as a single building);

the value of no single asset at the time of investment
will represent more than 20 per cent. of the Gross
Asset Value;

at least 90 per cent. by value of the properties directly
or indirectly owned by the Company shall be in the
form of freehold or long leasehold properties (with
over 100 years remaining at the time of acquisition) or
the equivalent;

the Company may commit up to a maximum of
15 per cent. of its Net Asset Value (measured at the
commencement of the project) to expenditure in
relation to development or forward funded projects
(including
conversion
of
buildings
to
student
accommodation). All development and forward funded
projects will be conducted in special purpose vehicles
with no recourse to the other assets of the Group. This
restriction will be calculated by reference to the equity
requirement of all such projects in progress (i.e. up to
practical completion) at the time of commitment, to
include expenditure already made in such projects
and
the
remaining
budgeted
expenditure
(the
"Development Limit"). For the purposes of the
Development Limit, "equity requirement" shall mean
the amount of equity or shareholder loans contributed
and/or committed by the Company or any other Group
entity to the relevant special purpose vehicle and shall
exclude other sources of funds obtained by such
special purpose vehicle;

the calculation of the Development Limit shall exclude
from the numerator the acquisition cost of the relevant
undeveloped land or property in use, or to be used, for
development or forward funded projects, which shall
be subject to a separate limit of 10 per cent. of Net
Asset Value (measured at the time of investment);

for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the
Development Limit shall also exclude from the
numerator all investment and expenditure on the
renovation,
restoration,
fit-out,
internal
reconfiguration, maintenance and engineering works
and general up-keep of any existing and new student
accommodation investments by the Group;

rent from ancillary commercial leases will be limited to
25 per cent. of total rent receipts of any single building
and to 15 per cent. of the Group's total rent receipts;

in each case where investment is via a joint venture
arrangement, the relevant restriction will be calculated
by reference to the Company's share of the relevant
joint venture; and

the Company will not invest in other closed-ended
investment companies.
The Company will also seek to spread risk by seeking to
achieve a diversified exposure to individual cities, towns and
HEIs, though no quantitative limits are in place, due to the
widely
various
demographics
prevailing
in
different
locations.
The Company will at all times invest and manage its assets
in a way that is consistent with its objective of spreading
investment risk and in accordance with its published
investment policy and will not, at any time, conduct any
trading activity which is significant in the context of the
business of the Company as a whole.
The Directors currently intend, at all times, to conduct the
affairs of the Company so as to enable it to qualify as a REIT
for the purposes of Part 12 of the CTA 2010 (and the
regulations made thereunder).
In the event of a breach of the investment policy and
investment restrictions set out above, the Directors upon
becoming aware of such breach will consider whether the
breach is material, and if it is, notification will be made
through a Regulatory Information Service.
(g) the circumstances in which
the Company may use
The Board
expects to
use Company level structural
leverage for investment purposes to enhance equity returns.
leverage; Where the Group takes on floating rate loan facilities, the
Group may engage in interest rate hedging in respect of
borrowings, or otherwise seek to mitigate the risk of interest
rate increases, for efficient portfolio management purposes
only.
The Company's borrowing limits will be inclusive of the
Group's pro-rata share of development loans incurred in
relation to joint venture development projects. Intra-group
debt between the Company and subsidiaries will not be
included in the definition of borrowings for these purposes.
(h) the types and sources of
leverage permitted and the
associated risks;
Certain Group companies have, and the Group expects in
the future, to take on leverage in accordance with the
Company's borrowing policy.
Investors should be aware
that, whilst the use of borrowings should enhance Net Asset
Value per Share, where the value of the Group's underlying
assets is rising, it will have the opposite effect where the
underlying asset value is declining. In addition, in the event
that the rental income derived from the Group's property
assets declines, including as a result of defaults by the
tenants pursuant to their leases with the Group, the use of
borrowings will amplify the impact of such declines on the
net revenue of the Group and, accordingly, this may have a
material adverse effect on the Group's profitability, dividend
payments, the Net Asset Value and the price of the Shares.
If the value of the Group's assets falls, the Net Asset Value
of the Company will reduce. Furthermore, the borrowings
which certain Group companies' use (and which the Group
will in the future use) are expected to contain loan to value
covenants, being the accepted market practice in the UK. If
real estate assets owned by Group companies and used as
collateral for any borrowings decrease in value such
covenants could be breached, and the impact of such an
event could include: an increase in borrowing costs; a call
for additional capital from the lender; or payment of a fee to
the lender; or in such cases where other remedies were not
available, it could require a sale of an asset, or a forfeit of
any asset to a lender, this could result in a total or partial
loss of equity value for each specific asset, or indeed the
Group as a whole.
Any increase in Sterling interest rates could have an
adverse impact on the Group's cost of borrowing or its ability
to secure borrowing facilities and could result in the
expected dividends of the Company being reduced and a
reduction in the price of the Shares.
Group companies may incur debt with interest payable
based on LIBOR. Depending upon market conditions the
relevant borrowing Group companies may hedge or partially
hedge interest rate exposure on borrowings, however such
measures may not be sufficient to protect the Group from
adverse movements in prevailing interest rates to the extent
exposures are unhedged or hedges are inadequate to offer
full protection. If exposures are hedged, interest rate
movements may lead to mark-to-market movements in the
value of the hedging instrument, which may be positive or
negative and upon breaking of such hedges may cause
crystallisation of gains or losses for the Group. In addition,
hedging arrangements expose the Group to credit risk in
respect of the hedging counterparty. Increased exposure to
interest rate movements may have a material adverse effect
on the Group's profitability, dividend payments, the Net
Asset Value and the price of the Shares.
Any amounts that are secured by a Group Company under
a loan facility are likely to rank ahead of Shareholders'
entitlements and accordingly, should the Group's assets
generate insufficient returns to cover the Group's operating
costs and interest expense, Shareholders may not recover
their initial investment on a liquidation of the Company or
when they sell their Shares.
(i) any collateral and asset
reuse arrangements;
Borrowings employed by the Group may either be secured
on individual assets without recourse to the Company or by
a charge over some or all of the Company's assets to take
advantage of potentially preferential terms. Development
loans, however, will only be secured at the individual asset
level, without recourse to the Group's other assets or
revenues.
(j) the maximum level of
leverage which the Company is
entitled to employ;
The level of borrowing will be on a prudent basis for the
asset class, and will seek to achieve a low cost of funds,
whilst maintaining flexibility in the underlying security
requirements. If gearing is employed, the Company will
maintain a conservative level of aggregate borrowings
typically of 35 per cent., but no more than 40 per cent., of the
Gross Asset Value (calculated at the time of draw down) and
will comply with the REIT condition relating to the ratio
between the Company's 'property profits' and 'property
finance costs'.
The AIFM Directive prescribes two methods of measuring
and expressing leverage (as opposed to gearing) and
requires disclosure of the maximum amount of 'leverage' the
Company might be subject to. The definition of leverage is
wider than that of gearing and includes exposures that are
not considered to be gearing.
Without prejudice to the foregoing (in compliance with the
investment policy concerning gearing), the Company has
set a maximum leverage limit of 1.66x (on both a "gross" and
"commitment" basis).
(2) a description of the
procedures by which the
Company may change its
investment strategy or
investment policy, or both;
No material change will be made to the investment policy
and investment restrictions without the prior approval of the
FCA and of Shareholders by ordinary resolution.
Any
change to the investment policy or investment restrictions
which does not amount to a material change to the
investment policy may be made by the Company without the
approval of the FCA and the Shareholders.
(3) a description of the main
legal implications of the
contractual relationship entered
into for the purpose of
investment, including
information on jurisdiction, the
applicable law and the
existence or absence of any
legal instruments providing for
the recognition and
enforcement of judgments in
the territory where the
Company is established;
The Company is a company limited by shares, incorporated
in England and Wales. While investors acquire an interest in
the Company on subscribing for or purchasing shares, the
Company is the sole legal and/or beneficial owner of its
investments. Consequently, Shareholders have no direct
legal or beneficial interest in those investments. The liability
of Shareholders for the debts and other obligations of the
Company is limited to the amount unpaid, if any, on the
Shares held by them. Shareholders' rights in respect of their
investment in the Company are governed by the Articles and
the Companies Act. Under English law, the following types
of claim may in certain circumstances be brought against a
company by its shareholders: contractual claims under its
articles of association; claims in misrepresentation in
respect of statements made in its prospectus and other
marketing documents; unfair prejudice claims and derivative
actions. In the event that a Shareholder considers that it
may have a claim against the Company in connection with
such investment in the Company, such Shareholder should
consult its own legal advisers.
Jurisdiction and applicable law
As noted above, Shareholders' rights are governed
principally by the Articles and the Companies Act. By
subscribing for Shares, investors agree to be bound by the
Articles
which
are
governed
by,
and
construed
in
accordance with, the laws of England and Wales.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments
Regulation (EC) 593/2008 ("Rome I") must be applied in all
member states of the European Union (other than
Denmark). Accordingly, where a matter comes before the
courts of a relevant member state, the choice of a governing
law in any given agreement is subject to the provisions of
Rome I. Under Rome I, the member state's court may apply
any rule of that member state's own law which is mandatory
irrespective of the governing law and may refuse to apply a
rule of governing law if it is manifestly incompatible with the
public policy of that member state. Further, where all other
elements relevant to the situation at the time of the choice
are located in a country other than the country whose law
has been chosen, the choice of the parties shall not
prejudice the application of provisions of the law of that other
country which cannot be derogated from by agreement.
Shareholders should note that there are a number of legal
instruments providing for the recognition and enforcement of
jurisdiction of the original judgment, Council Regulation (EC)
No 44/2001 on jurisdiction and the recognition and
enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters,
Regulation (EC) No 805/2004 of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 21 April 2004 creating a European
Enforcement Order for uncontested claims, the Convention
on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of
judgments in civil and commercial matters done at Lugano
on 30 October 2007, the Administration of Justice Act 1920
and the Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act
1933 may apply. There are no legal instruments providing
for the recognition and enforcement of judgments obtained
in jurisdictions outside those covered by the instruments
listed above, although such judgments might be enforceable
at common law.
(4) the identity of the AIFM, the
Company's depositary, the
auditor and any other service
The Company is an internally managed alternative
investment fund and consequently, for the purposes of the
AIFM Directive, is its own AIFM.
providers and a description of Administrator and company secretary:
their duties and the investors'
rights;
FIM Capital Limited, 7 Cavendish Square, London W1G
0PE.
FIM Capital Limited has been appointed as administrator
and company secretary to the Company. The Administrator
provides company secretarial functions required by the
Companies Act. The Company's statutory records are
maintained at the Company's registered office. In addition,
the Administrator provides certain agreed administration
functions to the Company.
Under the terms of the Administration and Company
Secretarial Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to an
administration fee of £30,000 per annum (exclusive of VAT).
This fee is subject to review annually.
The Administration and Company Secretarial Agreement is
terminable upon six months' written notice.
Registrar:
Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road Bristol BS13 8AE.
The Company utilises the services of Computershare
Investor Services PLC as registrar in relation to the transfer
and settlement of Shares.
Under the terms of the Registrar Agreement, the Registrar is
entitled to an annual maintenance fee of £1.20 per
Shareholder account per annum, subject to a minimum fee
of £3,000 per annum. The Registrar is also entitled to
activity fees under the Registrar Agreement.
The Registrar Agreement may be terminated on six months'
notice, such notice not to expire prior to 30 June 2016.

Depositary:

Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited, 41-43 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PD.

Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited has been appointed as depositary to the Company. The Depositary acts as the sole depositary of the Company and is, amongst other things, responsible for:

  • ensuring the Company's cash flows are properly monitored;
  • the safe keeping of the assets of the Group; and
  • the oversight and supervision of the Company (as its own AIFM).

Under the terms of the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary is entitled to a depositary fee based on the value of the Company's assets under management subject to a minimum fee of £20,000 per annum and a maximum fee of £40,000 per annum (excluding VAT).

Auditor:

BDO LLP, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU.

BDO LLP provides audit services to the Group. The auditor's principal responsibilities are to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements of the Company in accordance with applicable law and auditing standards. The annual report and accounts are prepared according to accounting standards laid out under IFRS, and EPRA's best practice recommendations.

Investors' Rights

The Company is reliant on the performance of third party service providers, including the Administrator, the Depositary, the Auditor and the Registrar.

Without prejudice to any potential right of action in tort that a Shareholder may have to bring a claim against a service provider, each Shareholder's contractual relationship in respect of its investment in Shares is with the Company only. Accordingly, no Shareholder will have any contractual claim against any service provider with respect to such service provider's default.

In the event that a Shareholder considers that it may have a claim against a third party service provider in connection with such Shareholder's investment in the Company, such Shareholder should consult its own legal advisers.

The above is without prejudice to any right a Shareholder may have to bring a claim against an FCA authorised service provider under section 138D of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (which provides that breach of an FCA rule by such service provider is actionable by a private person who suffers loss as a result), or any tortious cause of action. Shareholders who believe they may have a claim under section 138D of the Financial Services and

Markets Act 2000, or in tort, against any service provider in
connection with their investment in the Company, should
consult their legal adviser.
Shareholders who are "Eligible Complainants" for the
purposes of the FCA "Dispute Resolutions Complaints" rules
(natural persons, micro-enterprises and certain charities or
trustees of a trust) are able to refer any complaints against
FCA
authorised
service
providers
to
the
Financial
Ombudsman Service ("FOS") (further details of which are
available at www.fscs.org.uk). Additionally, Shareholders
may be eligible for compensation under the Financial
Services Compensation Scheme ("FSCS") if they have
claims against an FCA authorised service provider which is
in default. There are limits on the amount of compensation.
Further information about the FSCS can be found at
www.fscs.org.uk. To determine eligibility in relation to either
the FOS or the FSCS, Shareholders should consult the
respective websites above and speak to their legal advisers.
(5) a description of how the
Company complies with the
requirements referred to in
IPRU-INV 11.3.11G
(Professional negligence)
relating to professional liability
risk;
Professional liability risks resulting from those activities
which the Company carries out pursuant to the AIFM
Directive, are, to the extent required by law, covered by the
Company through additional own funds.
(6) a description of:
(a) any management function
delegated by the Manager;
The Company (as its own AIFM) has not delegated any
significant function and is responsible for the discretionary
portfolio management and exercising the risk management
functions in respect of the Company.
(b) any safe-keeping function
delegated by the depositary;
N/a
(c) the identity of each delegate
appointed in accordance with
FUND 3.10 (Delegation); and
Property valuation:
CBRE Limited, Henrietta House, Henrietta Place, London
W1G 0NB.
(d) any conflicts of interest that
may arise from such
delegations;
N/a
(7) a description of the Property valuation:
Company's valuation procedure
and of the pricing methodology
for valuing assets, including the
methods used in valuing any
hard-to-value assets, in line
with FUND 3.9 (Valuation);
The Directors use CBRE as property valuer to the Company.
Valuations of the Company's properties are conducted semi
annually as at 30 June and 31 December in each year. The
market value of the Group's properties will be determined by
CBRE in accordance with the internationally accepted RICS
Valuation – Professional Standard (2014).
Details of each semi-annual valuation, and of any
suspension
in
the
making
of
such
valuations,
are
announced by the Company via a Regulatory Information
Service announcement as soon as practicable after the
relevant valuation date.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Net Asset Value (and Net Asset Value per Share) is
calculated semi-annually by the Company (and reviewed by
the Administrator). Calculations are made in accordance
with IFRS and
EPRA's best practice recommendations.
Details of each semi-annual valuation, and of any
suspension
in
the
making
of
such
valuations,
are
announced by the Company via a Regulatory Information
Service announcement as part of its results announcement
as soon as practicable after the end of the relevant half-year.
The semi-annual valuations of the Net Asset Value (and Net
Asset Value per Share) are calculated on the basis of the
most recent valuation of the Property Portfolio.
(8) a description of the
Company's liquidity risk
management, including the
redemption rights of investors
in normal and exceptional
circumstances, and the existing
redemption arrangements with
The Company is a closed-ended investment company
incorporated in England and Wales on 11 February 2014
which carries on business as the principal company of a
REIT. Shareholders are entitled to participate in the assets
of the Company attributable to their Shares in a winding-up
of the Company or other return of capital, but they have no
rights of redemption.
investors; Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the Company will
encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with
financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or
another financial asset. Exposure to liquidity risk arises
because of the possibility that the Company could be
required to pay its liabilities earlier than expected. The
Company
mitigates
this
risk
by
maintaining
a
balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through
the use of bank deposits and loans.
(9) a description of all fees,
charges and expenses, and the
maximum amounts directly or
The on-going annual
expenses of the Company for the
period ending 31 December 2016 relative to the Net Asset
Value is expected to be approximately 1.55 per cent.
indirectly borne by investors; Given that many of the fees are irregular in their nature, the
maximum amount of fees, charges and expenses that
Shareholders will bear in relation to their investment cannot
be disclosed in advance.
(10) a description of how the
Company ensures a fair
treatment of investors;
As a company listed on the UKLA's Official List, the
Company is required under the Premium Listing Principles
to treat all Shareholders of a given class equally.
In addition, as directors of a company incorporated in
England and Wales, the Directors have certain statutory
duties with which they must comply. These include a duty
upon each Director to act in the way he considers, in good
faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the
Company for the benefit of its members as a whole.
No investor has a right to obtain preferential treatment in
relation to their investment in the Company and the
Company does not give preferential treatment to any
investors.
The Shares rank pari passu with each other.
(11) whenever an investor
obtains preferential treatment
or the right to obtain
preferential treatment, a
description of:
N/a
(a) that preferential treatment; N/a
(b) the type of investors who
obtain such preferential
treatment; and
N/a
(c) where relevant, their legal or
economic links with the
Company;
N/a
(12) the procedure and
conditions for the issue and
sale of units or shares;
The Shares are admitted to trading on the London Stock
Exchange's main market for listed securities. Accordingly,
the Shares may be purchased and sold on the main market.
New Shares may be issued at the Board's discretion and
providing relevant Shareholder issuance authorities are in
place. Shareholders do not have the right to redeem their
Shares. While the Company will typically have Shareholder
authority to buy back Shares any such buy back is at the
absolute discretion of the Board and no expectation or
reliance should be placed on the Board exercising such
discretion.
(13) the latest net asset value
of the Company or the latest
As at 31 December 2015, the unaudited Net Asset Value per
Share was 105.4 pence.
market price of the unit or
share of the Company, in line
with FUND 3.9 (Valuation);
When published, net asset value announcements can be
found on the Company's website: www.empiric.co.uk.
(14) the latest annual report, in
line with FUND 3.3 (Annual
The Company has published its first annual report for the
period ended 30 June 2015 in line with FUND 3.3.
report of an AIF); When published, annual reports can be found on the
Company's website: www.empiric.co.uk.
(15) where available, the
historical performance of the
Company;
The Company has published its audited financial statements
for the period from 11 February 2014 (being the date of the
incorporation of the Company) to 30 June 2015. In addition,
the Company has published unaudited interim financial
statements for the six month period from 1 July 2015 to 31
December 2015.
When published, annual and interim financial statements
can
be
found
on
the
Company's
website:
www.empiric.co.uk.
(16) N/a
(a) the identity of the prime
brokerage firm;
(b) a description of any material
arrangements of the Company
N/a
with its prime brokerage firm
and the way any conflicts of
interest are managed;
(c) the provision in the contract
with the depositary on the
possibility of transfer and reuse
of Company assets; and
N/a
(d) information about any
transfer of liability to the prime
brokerage firm that may exist;
and
N/a
(17) a description of how and
when the information required
under FUND 3.2.5 R and
In order to meet the requirements of FUND 3.2.5 R, the
Company intends to disclose annually in the Company's
annual report (pursuant to FUND 3.3):
FUND 3.2.6 R will be disclosed. (1) the percentage of the Company's assets that are subject
to special arrangements arising from their illiquid nature, if
applicable;
(2) any new arrangements for managing the liquidity of the
Company; and
(3) the current risk profile of the Company and the risk
management systems employed by the Company to
manage those risks.
Information will also be provided to investors regarding any
changes to:
(a) the maximum level of leverage that the Company may
employ;
(b) any right of reuse of collateral or any guarantee granted
under the leveraging arrangement; and
(c) the total amount of leverage employed by the Company.
To meet the requirements of FUND 3.2.6 R, this information
will be provided to investors by way of an update to these
disclosures or in such other manner the Company deems
appropriate.
Amendment of this Part 5
When there is a material change to the information
contained in these disclosures, it shall be updated.

PART 6

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL PLACING AND EACH PLACING UNDER A PLACING-ONLY ISSUE

1 INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Each Placee which confirms its agreement (whether orally or in writing) to Jefferies to acquire Shares pursuant to the Initial Placing and/or any placing pursuant to a Placing-Only Issue under the Share Issuance Programme (a "Further Placing") will be bound by these terms and conditions and will be deemed to have accepted them.
  • 1.2 Jefferies may require any Placee procured by it to agree to such further terms and/or conditions and/or give such additional warranties and/or representations as Jefferies (in its absolute discretion) sees fit and may require any such Placee to execute a separate placing letter.

2 AGREEMENT TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SHARES

Conditionally upon:

  • (i) in the case of the Initial Placing, Initial Admission occurring and becoming effective by 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 21 March 2016 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and Jefferies may agree (not being later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 April 2016)) and in the case of any Further Placing, Admission of the relevant Shares issued under that Further Placing occurring no later than 8.00 a.m. on such date as may be agreed between the Company and Jefferies prior to the closing of that Further Placing, not being later than 28 February 2017;
  • (ii) the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement becoming otherwise unconditional in all respects in relation to the Initial Placing or the relevant Further Placing, as applicable, (save as to Admission of the relevant Shares) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms on or before the date of the relevant Admission; and
  • (iii) Jefferies confirming to Placees their allocation of Shares, each Placee agrees to become a member of the Company and agrees to subscribe for those Shares allocated to it by Jefferies at the Initial Issue Price in the case of the Initial Placing (and subject to clawback in respect of valid applications under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility) and at the applicable Share Issuance Programme Price in the case of any Further Placing.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it will not be entitled to exercise any remedy of rescission at any time. This does not affect any other rights the Placee may have.

3 PAYMENT FOR SHARES

Each Placee must pay the applicable Issue Price for the Shares issued to the Placee in the manner and by such time as directed by Jefferies. If any Placee fails to pay as so directed and/or by the time required by Jefferies, the relevant Placee shall be deemed hereby to have appointed Jefferies or any nominee of Jefferies as its agent to use its reasonable endeavours to sell (in one or more transactions) any or all of the Shares allocated to the Placee in respect of which payment shall not have been made as directed, and to indemnify Jefferies and its affiliates on demand in respect of any liability for stamp duty and/or stamp duty reserve tax or any other liability whatsoever arising in respect of any such sale or sales.

A sale of all or any of such Shares shall not release the relevant Placee from the obligation to make such payment for relevant Shares to the extent that Jefferies or its nominee has failed to sell such Shares at a consideration which, after deduction of the expenses of such sale and payment of stamp duty and/or stamp duty reserve tax as aforementioned, exceeds the applicable Issue Price per Share.

4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

By agreeing to subscribe for Shares, each Placee that is outside the United States and is not a U.S. Person and which enters into a commitment with Jefferies to subscribe for Shares will (for itself and any person(s) procured by it to subscribe for Shares and any nominee(s) for any such person(s)) be deemed to represent and warrant to Jefferies, Akur, the Registrar, the Company and their respective officers, agents and employees that:

  • 4.1 it is not a U.S. Person, is not located within the United States and is not acquiring the Shares for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person;
  • 4.2 it is acquiring the Shares in an offshore transaction meeting the requirements of Regulation S;
  • 4.3 it has received, carefully read and understands the Prospectus, and has not, directly or indirectly, distributed, forwarded, transferred or otherwise transmitted the Prospectus or any other presentation or offering materials concerning the Shares into or within the United States or to any U.S. Persons, nor will it do any of the foregoing;
  • 4.4 it is relying solely on the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus issued by the Company prior to the relevant Admission and not on any other information given, or representation or statement made at any time, by any person concerning the Company and/or the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing. It agrees that none of the Company, Jefferies, Akur nor the Registrar nor any of their respective officers, agents or employees will have any liability for any other information, representation or statement made or purported to be made by them or on its or their behalf in connection with the Company and/or the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing and irrevocably and unconditionally waives any rights it may have in respect of any other information or representation;
  • 4.5 if the laws of any territory or jurisdiction outside England and Wales are applicable to its agreement to subscribe for Shares under the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing, it has complied with all such laws, obtained all governmental and other consents, licences and authorisations which may be required, complied with all requisite formalities and paid any issue, transfer or other taxes due in connection with its application in any territory and that it has not taken any action or omitted to take any action which will result in the breach, whether by itself, the Company, Akur, Jefferies, the Registrar or any of their respective directors, officers, agents or employees of the regulatory or legal requirements, directly or indirectly, of any other territory or jurisdiction in connection with the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing;
  • 4.6 it has carefully read and understands the Prospectus in its entirety and acknowledges that it is acquiring Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Part 6 and the Articles as in force at the date of Initial Admission in the case of the Initial Issue or the relevant date of Admission in the case of any Further Placing and agrees that in accepting a participation in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing it has had access to all information it believes necessary or appropriate in connection with its decision to subscribe for the Shares;

  • 4.7 it has not relied on Jefferies, Akur or any person affiliated with Jefferies or Akur in connection with any investigation of the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the Prospectus or any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to the relevant Admission;

  • 4.8 the content of the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to the relevant Admission is exclusively the responsibility of the Company, and the Directors and neither Jefferies, Akur nor any person acting on their respective behalves nor any of its respective affiliates is responsible for or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in the Prospectus or any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to the relevant Admission or any information published by or on behalf of the Company and will not be liable for any decision by a Placee to participate in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing based on any information, representation or statement contained in the Prospectus or any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to the relevant Admission or otherwise;
  • 4.9 it acknowledges that no person is authorised in connection with the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing to give any information or make any representation other than as contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to the relevant Admission and, if given or made, any information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorised by Jefferies, Akur or the Company;
  • 4.10 it is not applying as, nor is it applying as nominee or agent for, a person who is or may be liable to notify and account for tax under the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax Regulations 1986 at any of the increased rates referred to in section 67, 70, 93 or 96 (depository receipts and clearance services) of the Finance Act 1986;
  • 4.11 it acknowledges that the Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons except in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with all applicable state securities laws and under circumstances that would not require the Company to register under the U.S. Investment Company Act;
  • 4.12 it accepts that none of the Shares have been or will be registered under the laws of any Excluded Territory. Accordingly, the Shares may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within any Excluded Territory unless an exemption from any registration requirement is available;
  • 4.13 it acknowledges that the Company has not registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act and that the Company has put in place restrictions for transactions not involving any public offering in the United States, to ensure that the Company is not and will not be required to register under the U.S. Investment Company Act;
  • 4.14 no portion of the assets used to acquire, and no portion of the assets used to hold, the Shares or any beneficial interest therein constitutes or will constitute the assets of: (i) an "employee benefit plan" as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA that is subject to Title I of ERISA; (ii) a "plan" as defined in Section 4975 of the U.S. Code, including an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to Section 4975 of the U.S. Code; or (iii) an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include "plan assets" by reason of investment by an "employee benefit plan" or a "plan" described in preceding clause (i) or (ii) in such entity, pursuant to 29. C.F.R. 2510.3-101 as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA. In addition, if an investor is a governmental, church, non-U.S. or other employee

benefit plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the U.S. Code, its acquisition, holding, and disposition of the Shares will not constitute a violation of law or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 503 of the U.S. Code or any substantially similar law;

4.15 if any Shares are issued to it in certificated form, then such certificates evidencing ownership will contain a legend substantially to the following effect unless otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law:

EMPIRIC STUDENT PROPERTY PLC (THE "COMPANY") HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT"). IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDINGLY, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (I) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT TO A PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND NOT KNOWN BY THE TRANSFEROR TO BE A U.S. PERSON, BY PRE- ARRANGEMENT OR OTHERWISE AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WILL NOT REQUIRE THE COMPANY TO REGISTER UNDER THE U.S. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT, OR (II) WITHIN THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT, IF AVAILABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES, IN EACH CASE OF CLAUSE (I) OR (II), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, UPON SURRENDER OF THE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND DELIVERY OF A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION THAT SUCH TRANSFEROR IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CLAUSE IN THE FORM OF A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFFSHORE TRANSACTION LETTER (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR) TO THE COMPANY, WITH COPIES TO THE REGISTRAR AND THE ADMINISTRATOR. IN ADDITION, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON USING THE ASSETS OF (I) (A) AN "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA; (B) A "PLAN" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. CODE, INCLUDING AN INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. CODE; OR (C) AN ENTITY WHICH IS DEEMED TO HOLD THE ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING TYPES OF PLANS, ACCOUNTS OR ARRANGEMENTS THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. CODE OR (II) A GOVERNMENTAL, CHURCH, NON-U.S. OR OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. CODE IF THE PURCHASE, HOLDING OR DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES WILL NOT RESULT IN A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW AND/OR CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 503 OF THE U.S. CODE OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR LAW.

4.16 if in the future it decides to offer, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Shares or any beneficial interest therein, it will do so only: (i) in an "offshore transaction" complying with the provisions of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act to a person outside the United States and not known by the transferor to be a U.S. Person, by prearrangement or otherwise; (ii) within the United States in accordance with Rule 144 of the U.S. Securities Act, if available, and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States; or (iii) to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

  • 4.17 it is acquiring the Shares for its own account or for one or more investment accounts for which it is acting as a fiduciary or agent, in each case for investment only, and not with a view to or for sale or other transfer in connection with any distribution of the Shares in any manner that would violate the U.S. Securities Act, the U.S. Investment Company Act or any other applicable securities laws;
  • 4.18 if it is a resident in the European Economic Area (other than the United Kingdom), it is (a) a "qualified investor" within the meaning of the law in the Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(c)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Prospectus Directive (as amended) and (b) if that Relevant Member State has implemented the AIFM Directive, that it is a person to whom the Shares may be lawfully marketed under the AIFM Directive or under the applicable implementing legislation (if any) of that Relevant Member State;
  • 4.19 in the case of any Shares acquired in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing by an investor as a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive: (i) the Shares acquired by it in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than "qualified investors", as that term is defined in the Prospectus Directive (as amended), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Jefferies has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than "qualified investors", the offer of those Shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive (as amended) as having been made to such persons;
  • 4.20 if it is outside the United Kingdom, neither the Prospectus nor any other offering, marketing or other material in connection with the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing constitutes an invitation, offer or promotion to, or arrangement with, it or any person whom it is procuring to subscribe for Shares pursuant to the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing unless, in the relevant territory, such offer, invitation or other course of conduct could lawfully be made to it or such person and such documents or materials could lawfully be provided to it or such person and Shares could lawfully be distributed to and subscribed and held by it or such person without compliance with any unfulfilled approval, registration or other legal requirements;
  • 4.21 it does not have a registered address in, and is not a citizen, resident or national of, any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make or accept an offer of the Shares and it is not acting on a non-discretionary basis for any such person;
  • 4.22 if the investor is a natural person, such investor is not under the age of majority (18 years of age in the United Kingdom) on the date of such investor's agreement to subscribe for Shares under the Initial Placing or the relevant Further Placing, as applicable, and will not be any such person on the date any such relevant Initial Placing or Further Placing commitment is accepted;
  • 4.23 it has not, directly or indirectly, distributed, forwarded, transferred or otherwise transmitted the Prospectus or any other offering materials concerning the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing or the Shares to any persons within the United States or to any U.S. Persons, nor will it do any of the foregoing;

  • 4.24 it acknowledges that neither Jefferies nor Akur nor any of their respective affiliates nor any person acting on its or their behalf is making any recommendations to it, advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing or providing any advice in relation to the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing, that participation in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of Jefferies, Akur or any of their affiliates and that Jefferies, Akur and any of their respective affiliates do not have any duties or responsibilities to a Placee for providing protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement;

  • 4.25 it acknowledges that where it is subscribing for Shares for one or more managed, discretionary or advisory accounts, it is authorised in writing by each such account: (i) to subscribe for the Shares for each such account; (ii) to make on each such account's behalf the representations, warranties and agreements set out in the Prospectus; and (iii) to receive on behalf of each such account any documentation relating to the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing in the form provided by Jefferies. It agrees that the provisions of this paragraph shall survive any resale of the Shares by or on behalf of any such account;
  • 4.26 it irrevocably appoints any Director of the Company and any director of Jefferies to be its agent and on its behalf (without any obligation or duty to do so), to sign, execute and deliver any documents and do all acts, matters and things as may be necessary for, or incidental to, its subscription for all or any of the Shares for which it has given a commitment under the Initial Placing and/or the relevant Further Placing, in the event of the failure of it to do so;
  • 4.27 it accepts that if the Initial Placing and/or the relevant Further Placing does not proceed or the conditions to the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement are not satisfied or the Shares for which valid applications are received and accepted are not admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List or to trading on the Main Market for any reason whatsoever then neither Jefferies, Akur nor the Company nor persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of them nor any of their respective employees, agents, officers, members, stockholders, partners or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever to it or any other person;
  • 4.28 in connection with its participation in the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing it has observed all relevant legislation and regulations, in particular (but without limitation) those relating to money laundering ("Money Laundering Legislation") and that its application is only made on the basis that it accepts full responsibility for any requirement to verify the identity of its clients and other persons in respect of whom it has applied. In addition, it warrants that it is a person: (i) subject to the UK Money Laundering Regulations in force in the United Kingdom; or (ii) subject to the Money Laundering Directive (Council Directive No. 91/308/EEC) (the "Money Laundering Directive"); or (iii) acting in the course of a business in relation to which an overseas regulatory authority exercises regulatory functions and is based or incorporated in, or formed under the law of, a country in which there are in force provisions at least equivalent to those required by the Money Laundering Directive;
  • 4.29 it acknowledges that due to anti-money laundering requirements, Jefferies, the Company and/or their agents may require proof of identity and verification of the source of the payment before the application can be processed and that, in the event of delay or failure by the applicant to produce any information required for verification purposes, Jefferies, the Company and/or their agents may refuse to accept the application and the subscription

moneys relating thereto. It holds harmless and will indemnify Jefferies, the Company and/or their agents against any liability, loss or cost ensuing due to the failure to process such application, if such information as has been required has not been provided by it or has not been provided on a timely basis;

  • 4.30 Jefferies and the Company are entitled to exercise any of their rights under the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement or any other right in their absolute discretion without any liability whatsoever to them (or any agent acting on their behalf);
  • 4.31 the representations, undertakings and warranties given by it are irrevocable. It acknowledges that Jefferies, Akur (to the extent applicable) and the Company and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties and it agrees that if any of the representations or agreements made or deemed to have been made by its subscription of the Shares are no longer accurate, it shall promptly notify Jefferies and the Company;
  • 4.32 where it or any person acting on behalf of it is dealing with Jefferies any money held in an account with Jefferies on behalf of it and/or any person acting on behalf of it will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the relevant rules and regulations of the FCA which therefore will not require Jefferies to segregate such money, as that money will be held by Jefferies under a banking relationship and not as trustee;
  • 4.33 any of its clients, whether or not identified to Jefferies, will remain its sole responsibility and will not become clients of Jefferies or Akur or, for the purposes of the rules of the FCA or for the purposes of any statutory or regulatory provision;
  • 4.34 it accepts that the allocation of Shares shall be determined by Jefferies in its absolute discretion (after consultation with the Company and Akur) and that such persons may scale back any placing commitments in respect of the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing for this purpose on such basis as Jefferies may determine; and
  • 4.35 time shall be of the essence as regard its obligations to settle payment for the Shares and to comply with their other obligations under the Initial Placing or the relevant Further Placing.

5 SUPPLY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

If Jefferies, the Registrar or the Company or any of their agents request any information about a Placee's agreement to purchase Shares under the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing, such Placee must promptly disclose it to them.

6 MISCELLANEOUS

  • 6.1 The rights and remedies of Jefferies, the Registrar and the Company, the Board and affiliates under the terms and conditions set out in this Part 6 are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.
  • 6.2 On application, if a Placee is a discretionary fund manager, that Placee may be asked to disclose in writing or orally to Jefferies the jurisdiction in which its funds are managed or owned. All documents will be sent at the Placee's risk. They may be sent by post to such Placee at an address notified to Jefferies.
  • 6.3 Each Placee agrees to be bound by the Articles (as amended from time to time) once the Shares that the Placee has agreed to subscribe pursuant to the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing have been acquired by the Placee. The contract to subscribe for Shares

under the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing and the appointments and authorities mentioned in the Prospectus will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales. For the exclusive benefit of Jefferies, Akur, the Registrar and the Company each Placee irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales waives any objection to proceedings in any such courts on the ground of venue or on the ground that proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum. This does not prevent an action being taken against a Placee in any other jurisdiction.

  • 6.4 In the case of a joint agreement to purchase Shares under the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing, references to a "Placee" in these terms and conditions are to each of the Placees who are a party to that joint agreement and their liability is joint and several.
  • 6.5 Jefferies and the Company expressly reserve the right to modify the terms of the Initial Placing and/or any Further Placing (including, without limitation, its timetable and settlement) at any time before allocations are determined.
  • 6.6 The Initial Placing and each Further Placing is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the Initial Placing or Further Placing, as applicable, contained in the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement and the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement not having been terminated prior to Admission of the relevant Shares.

PART 7

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OPEN OFFER

1. INTRODUCTION

The Company may issue up to 55 million Shares at the Initial Issue Price under the Initial Open Offer.

The Initial Open Offer is an opportunity for Qualifying Shareholders to apply for Shares pro rata to their holdings as at the Record Date at the Initial Issue Price on the basis of 1 new Share for every 7 existing Shares held at the Record Date in accordance with the terms of the Initial Open Offer.

The Record Date for entitlements, under the Initial Open Offer for Qualifying CREST Shareholders and Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders is 5.00 p.m. on 26 February 2016. Open Offer Application Forms for Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders accompany the Prospectus.

The latest time and date for receipt of completed Open Offer Application Forms and payment in full under the Initial Open Offer and settlement of relevant instructions (as appropriate) is expected to be 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, with Initial Admission and commencement of dealings in the Shares expected to take place at 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016.

This Securities Note and, for Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders only, the Open Offer Application Forms contain the formal terms and conditions of the Initial Open Offer. Your attention is drawn to paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of this Part 7 which gives details of the procedure for application and payment for the Shares under the Initial Open Offer.

The Excess Application Facility is an opportunity for Qualifying Shareholders who have applied for all of their Basic Entitlements to apply for additional Shares. The Excess Application Facility will be comprised of Shares that are not taken up by existing Shareholders under the Initial Open Offer pursuant to their Basic Entitlements and aggregated fractional entitlements under the Initial Open Offer.

There is no limit on the amount of Shares that can be applied for by existing Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility, save that the maximum amount of Shares to be allotted under the Excess Application Facility shall be the maximum size of the Initial Issue less the number of Shares issued under the Initial Open Offer pursuant to Qualifying Shareholders' Basic Entitlements and any Shares that the Directors determined to issue under the Initial Placing and Initial Offer for Subscription. Applications under the Excess Application Facility will be allocated in the event of over-subscription pro-rata to Qualifying Shareholders' applications under the Excess Application Facility. No assurance can be given that applications by Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility will be met in full or in part or at all. To the extent any Shares remain unallocated pursuant to the Basic Entitlements and under the Excess Application Facility, and the Initial Placing and/or the Initial Offer for Subscription is oversubscribed, such Shares may, at the Board's discretion, be allocated to subscribers under the Initial Placing and/or the Initial Offer for Subscription.

Application will be made to the UK Listing Authority for the Shares to be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List. Application will also be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Shares to be admitted to trading on the Main Market.

If you sell or have sold or otherwise transferred your Shares in certificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer) please send the Prospectus, together with any Open Offer Application Form, if received, at once to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for delivery to the purchaser or transferee except that the Prospectus and the Open Offer Application Form should not be distributed, forwarded to or transmitted in or into any jurisdiction where to do so may constitute a violation of local securities laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the Excluded Territories. If you sell or have sold or otherwise transferred all or some of your Shares held in uncertificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer), a claim transaction will automatically be generated by Euroclear which, on settlement, will transfer the appropriate number of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to the purchaser or transferee. If you sell or have sold or have otherwise transferred only part of your holding of Shares held in certificated form before 8.00 a.m. on 1 March 2016 (being the ex-entitlement date for the Initial Open Offer), you should refer to the instruction regarding split applications in this Part 7.

2. THE INITIAL OPEN OFFER

Subject to the terms and conditions set out below (and, in the case of Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders, in the Open Offer Application Form), under the Initial Open Offer, an aggregate of 55 million Shares will be made available to Qualifying Shareholders at the Initial Issue Price pro rata to their holdings of Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Initial Open Offer on the basis of:

1 new Share for every 7 existing Shares

held and registered in their name at the Record Date.

Applications by Qualifying Shareholders made and accepted in accordance with these terms and conditions will be satisfied in full up to the amount of their individual Basic Entitlements.

Basic Entitlements will be rounded down to the nearest whole number and any fractional entitlements to new Shares will be disregarded in calculating Basic Entitlements and will be aggregated and made available to Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility. Accordingly, Qualifying Shareholders with fewer than 7 existing Shares will not receive a Basic Entitlement but may apply for Shares under the Excess Application Facility.

Qualifying Shareholders may apply to acquire less than their Basic Entitlement should they so wish. In addition, Qualifying Shareholders who apply for all their Basic Entitlement may also apply to acquire Shares using the Excess Application Facility.

Holdings of Shares in certificated and uncertificated form will be treated as separate holdings for the purpose of calculating entitlements under the Initial Open Offer, as will holdings under different designations and in different accounts.

If you are a Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder, the Open Offer Application Form shows the number of Shares available to you under your Basic Entitlement (in Box B). Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders who wish to apply to subscribe for more than their Basic Entitlement should complete Boxes D, E, F and G on the Open Offer Application Form.

Qualifying CREST Shareholders will have Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements credited to their stock accounts in CREST and should refer to paragraph 4.2 of this Part 7 for information on the relevant CREST procedures. Qualifying CREST Shareholders can also refer to the CREST Manual for further information on the relevant CREST procedures. The Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements are expected to be credited to CREST accounts as soon as possible after 8.00 a.m. on 2 March 2016.

Shareholders should be aware that the Initial Open Offer is not a rights issue. As such, Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders should note that their Open Offer Application Forms are not negotiable documents and cannot be traded. Qualifying CREST Shareholders should note that, although the Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be admitted to CREST, and enabled for settlement, neither the Basic Entitlements nor the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be tradeable or listed and applications in respect of the Initial Open Offer may only be made by the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled or by a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim. Shares for which application has not been made under the Initial Open Offer will not be sold in the market for the benefit of those who do not apply under the Initial Open Offer and Qualifying Shareholders who do not apply to take up their entitlements will have no rights, and will not receive any benefit, under the Initial Open Offer. Any Shares which are not applied for in respect of the Initial Open Offer may be allotted to Qualifying Shareholders to meet valid applications under the Excess Application Facility or, if not applied for under the Excess Application Facility, may be issued to the subscribers under the Initial Placing and/or the Initial Offer for Subscription, with the proceeds retained for the benefit of the Company.

3. CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE INITIAL OPEN OFFER

The Initial Open Offer is conditional upon, amongst other things, Initial Admission becoming effective by not later than 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 or such later time and/or date as the Company and/or Jefferies may agree (being not later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 April 2016) and the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects in relation to the Initial Issue (other than as to Initial Admission).

Accordingly, if these conditions are not satisfied or waived (where capable of waiver), the Initial Open Offer will not proceed and any applications made by Qualifying Shareholders will be rejected. In such circumstances, application monies will be returned (at the applicant's sole risk), without interest, as soon as practicable thereafter.

No temporary documents of title will be issued. Definitive certificates in respect of Shares are expected to be posted to those Qualifying Shareholders who have validly elected to hold their Shares in certificated form in the week commencing 4 April 2016. In respect of those Qualifying Shareholders who have validly elected to hold their Shares in uncertificated form, the Shares are expected to be credited to their stock accounts maintained in CREST on 21 March 2016.

Application will be made to the UK Listing Authority for the Shares to be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List. Application will also be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Shares to be admitted to trading on the Main Market. Initial Admission is expected to occur on 21 March 2016, when dealings in the Shares are expected to begin.

All monies received by the Receiving Agent in respect of Shares will be credited to an account by the Receiving Agent. Any interest earned on monies in such account will be retained by and for the benefit of the Company.

If for any reason it becomes necessary to adjust the expected timetable as set out in this Securities Note, the Company will notify the UKLA and make an appropriate announcement to a Regulatory Information Service giving details of the revised dates.

4. PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION AND PAYMENT IN RESPECT OF THE INITIAL OPEN OFFER

The action to be taken by you in respect of the Initial Open Offer depends on whether you hold your Shares in certificated or uncertificated form.

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders will receive the Open Offer Application Form enclosed with this Securities Note. The Open Offer Application Form shows Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders the number of Shares available under their Basic Entitlement that can be allotted in certificated form. Qualifying CREST Shareholders will be allotted Shares in CREST. Qualifying Shareholders who hold part of their Shares in uncertificated form will be allotted Shares in uncertificated form to the extent that their entitlement to Shares arises as a result of holding Shares in uncertificated form. However, it will be possible for Qualifying Shareholders to deposit Basic Entitlements into, and withdraw them from, CREST. Further information on deposit and withdrawal from CREST is set out in paragraph 4.2(g) of this Part 7.

CREST sponsored members should refer to their CREST sponsor as only their CREST sponsor will be able to take the necessary action specified below to apply under the Initial Open Offer in respect of the Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements of such members held in CREST. CREST members who wish to apply for Shares in respect of their Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements in CREST should refer to the CREST Manual for further information on the CREST procedures referred to below.

Qualifying Shareholders who do not wish to apply for the Shares under the Initial Open Offer should take no action and should not complete or return the Open Offer Application Form, or send a USE message through CREST.

4.1 Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders

(a)General

Subject as provided in paragraph 6 of this Part 7 in relation to certain Overseas Shareholders, Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders will receive an Open Offer Application Form. The Open Offer Application Form shows the number of Shares available to them under their Basic Entitlement in Box B. Entitlements to Shares are rounded down to the nearest whole number and fractional Basic Entitlements have therefore also been rounded down. Such fractional Basic Entitlements will be aggregated and made available to Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility. Box C shows how much the Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders would need to pay if they wish to take up their Basic Entitlement in full. Any Qualifying Shareholders with fewer than 7 existing Shares will not receive a Basic Entitlement but may apply for Shares under the Excess Application Facility. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders may apply for less than their Basic Entitlement should they wish to do so. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders may also hold such an Open Offer Application Form by virtue of a bona fide market claim. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders may also apply for additional Shares under the Excess Application Facility by completing Boxes D, E, F and G on the Open Offer Application Form.

The instructions and other terms set out in the Open Offer Application Form form part of the terms of the Initial Open Offer in relation to Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders.

(b)Bona fide market claims

Applications to acquire Shares under the Initial Open Offer may only be made on an Open Offer Application Form by the Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder named in it or by a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim in relation to a purchase of Shares through the market prior to the date upon which the Shares were marked "ex" the entitlement to participate in the Initial Open Offer (being 8.00 a.m. on 26 February 2016). Open Offer Application Forms may not be assigned, transferred or split, except to satisfy bona fide market claims up to 3.00 p.m. on 14 March 2016. The Open Offer Application Form is not a negotiable document and cannot be separately traded. A Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder who has sold or otherwise transferred all or part of his holding of Shares prior to the date upon which the Shares were marked "ex" the entitlement to participate in the Initial Open Offer, should consult his broker or other professional adviser as soon as possible, as the invitation to acquire Shares under the Open Offer may be a benefit which may be claimed by the transferee. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders who have sold all of their registered holdings should, if the market claim is to be settled outside CREST, complete Box J on the Open Offer Application Form and immediately forward the Open Offer Application Form together with any accompanying documents at once to the purchaser or transferee or stockbroker or bank or other agent through whom the sale was effected, for delivery to the purchaser or transferee (save that the Open Offer Application Form should not be submitted or forwarded in or into the United States or any of the Excluded Territories or any jurisdiction where it would or may be unlawful to do so, unless pursuant to an applicable exemption). If you have sold or transferred only some of the Shares, you should complete Box J and return the Open Offer Application Form at once by post to Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or by hand (during normal business hours only), to Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE, accompanied by a letter stating the number of split Open Offer Application Forms required and the total number of Shares to be included in each split Open Offer Application Form. The latest time and date for splitting is 3.00 p.m. on 14 March 2016. If the market claim is to be settled in CREST, the beneficiary of the claim should follow the procedure set out in paragraph 4.2(b) of this Part 7 below.

(c)Excess Application Facility

Qualifying Shareholders who have taken up all their Basic Entitlement may apply to acquire additional Shares using the Excess Application Facility, should they wish. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders wishing to apply for additional Shares, may do so by completing Boxes D, E, F and G of the Open Offer Application Form. The Maximum Excess Application Number shall be limited to: (a) the maximum size of the Initial Issue; less (b) Shares issued under the Initial Open Offer pursuant to Basic Entitlements and Shares issued pursuant to the terms of the Initial Placing and the Initial Offer for Subscription. Applications under the Excess Application Facility will therefore only be satisfied to the extent that: (i) other Qualifying Shareholders do not apply for their Basic Entitlement in full; (ii) fractional entitlements have been aggregated and made available under the Excess Application Facility; and (iii) (if applicable) valid subscriptions are received in respect of the Initial Offer for Subscription and Initial Placing for fewer than the number of Shares available thereunder.

Qualifying Shareholders can apply for up to the Maximum Excess Application Number of Shares under the Excess Application Facility. Shares under the Excess Application Facility will be allocated to Qualifying Shareholders that have taken up their Basic Entitlements in full on a pro-rata basis to their applications under the Excess Application Facility. No assurance can be given that applications by Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility will be met in full or in part or at all.

Excess monies in respect of applications which are not met in full will be returned to the applicant (at the applicant's risk) without interest as soon as practicable thereafter by way of cheque or CREST payment, as appropriate.

(d)Application procedure

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders wishing to apply to acquire Shares to which they are entitled under the Initial Open Offer should complete the Open Offer Application Form in accordance with the instructions printed on it.

Completed Open Offer Application Forms should be posted in the accompanying pre-paid envelope to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or returned by hand (during normal business hours only) to Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE so as to be received by the Receiving Agent by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, after which time Open Offer Application Forms will not be valid. Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders should note that applications, once made, will be irrevocable and receipt thereof will not be acknowledged. If an Open Offer Application Form is being sent by first-class post in the UK, Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders are recommended to allow at least four working days for delivery.

All payments must be in pounds sterling and made by cheque or banker's draft made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property Plc – Open Offer A/C" and crossed "A/C payee only". Cheques or banker's drafts must be drawn on a bank or building society or branch of a bank or building society in the United Kingdom which is either a settlement member of the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company Limited or the CHAPS Clearing Company Limited or which has arranged for its cheques and bankers' drafts to be cleared through the facilities provided by any of those companies or committees and must bear the appropriate sort code in the top right-hand corner and must be for the full amount payable on application. Third party cheques will not be accepted with the exception of building society cheques or bankers' drafts where the building society or bank has confirmed the name of the account holder by stamping or endorsing the cheque or draft to confirm that the relevant Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder has title to the underlying funds. The account name should be the same as that shown on the application. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.

Cheques or bankers' drafts will be presented for payment upon receipt. The Company reserves the right to instruct the Receiving Agent to seek special clearance of cheques and bankers' drafts to allow the Company to obtain value for remittances at the earliest opportunity (and withhold definitive share certificates (or crediting to the relevant member account, as applicable) pending clearance thereof). No interest will be paid on payments made before they are due. It is a term of the Initial Open Offer that cheques shall be honoured on first presentation and the Company may elect to treat as invalid acceptances in respect of which cheques are not so honoured. All documents, cheques and bankers' drafts sent through the post will be sent at the risk of the sender. Payments via CHAPS or electronic transfer will be acceptable.

If cheques or bankers' drafts are presented for payment before the conditions of the Initial Issue are fulfilled, the application monies will be credited to a non-interest bearing account by the Receiving Agent. If the Initial Issue does not become unconditional, no Shares will be issued and all monies will be returned (at the applicant's sole risk), without payment of interest, to applicants as soon as practicable following the lapse of the Initial Issue.

The Company may in its sole discretion, but shall not be obliged to, treat an Open Offer Application Form as valid and binding on the person by whom or on whose behalf it is lodged, even if not completed in accordance with the relevant instructions or not accompanied by a valid power of attorney where required, or if it otherwise does not strictly comply with the terms and conditions of the Initial Open Offer. The Company further reserves the right (but shall not be obliged) to accept either:

  • (i) Open Offer Application Forms received after 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016; or
  • (ii) applications in respect of which remittances are received before 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016 from authorised persons (as defined in FSMA) specifying the Shares applied for and undertaking to lodge the Open Offer Application Form in due course but, in any event, within two Business Days.

All documents and remittances sent by post by or to an applicant (or as the applicant may direct) will be sent at the applicant's own risk.

If Shares have already been allotted to a Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder and such Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder's cheque or banker's draft is not honoured upon first presentation or such Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder's application is subsequently otherwise deemed to be invalid, Jefferies shall be authorised (in its absolute discretion as to manner, timing and terms) to make arrangements, on behalf of the Company, for the sale of such Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder's Shares and for the proceeds of sale (which for these purposes shall be deemed to be payments in respect of successful applications) to be paid to and retained by the Company. None of Jefferies, Akur nor the Company nor any other person shall be responsible for, or have any liability for, any loss, expense or damage suffered by such Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders.

(e)Effect of application

By completing and delivering an Open Offer Application Form the applicant:

  • (i) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he has the right, power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to make the application under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility and to execute, deliver and exercise his rights, and perform his obligations under any contracts resulting therefrom and that he is not a person otherwise prevented by legal or regulatory restrictions from applying for Shares or acting on behalf of any such person on a non-discretionary basis;
  • (ii) agrees with the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that all applications under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility and contracts resulting therefrom shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales;
  • (iii) confirms to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that in making the application he is not relying on any information or representation in relation to the Company other than that contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission, and the applicant accordingly agrees that no person responsible solely or jointly for the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial

Admission or any part thereof, or involved in the preparation thereof, shall have any liability for any such information or representation not so contained and further agrees that, having had the opportunity to read the Prospectus, he will be deemed to have had notice of all information in relation to the Company and the Shares contained in the Prospectus (including matters incorporated by reference);

  • (iv) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he is the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled to his Basic Entitlement or that he received such Basic Entitlement by virtue of a bona fide market claim;
  • (v) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that if he has received some or all of his Basic Entitlement from a person other than the Company he is entitled to apply under the Initial Open Offer in relation to such Basic Entitlement by virtue of a bona fide market claim;
  • (vi) requests that the Shares, to which he will become entitled, be issued to him on the terms set out in this Securities Note and the Open Offer Application Form, subject to the Articles;
  • (vii) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he is not, nor is he applying on behalf of, any person who is in, or is a citizen or resident, or is a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under any laws, of the United States or any Excluded Territory and he is not applying with a view to re-offering, re-selling, transferring or delivering any of the Shares which are the subject of his application in or to, or for the benefit of, a person who is a citizen or resident or which is a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under any laws of the United States or other any Excluded Territory (except where proof satisfactory to the Company has been provided to the Company that he is able to accept the invitation by the Company free of any requirement which the Company (in its absolute discretion) regards as unduly burdensome), nor acting on behalf of any such person on a non-discretionary basis nor person(s) otherwise prevented by legal or regulatory restrictions from applying for Shares under the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility;
  • (viii) represents and warrants to the Company, Jefferies and Akur that he is not, and nor is he applying as nominee or agent for, a person who is or may be liable to notify and account for tax under the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax Regulations 1986 at any of the increased rates referred to in Section 93 (depository receipts) or Section 96 (clearance services) of the Finance Act 1986;
  • (ix) confirms that in making the application he is not relying and has not relied on Jefferies, Akur or any person affiliated with Jefferies or Akur in connection with any investigation of the accuracy of any information contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission or his investment decision; and
  • (x) confirms that no person has been authorised to give any information or to make any representation concerning the Company or the Shares (other than as contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission) and, if given or made,

any such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Company, Jefferies or Akur.

(f)Incorrect or incomplete applications

If an Open Offer Application Form includes a payment for an incorrect sum, the Company reserves the right:

  • (i) to reject the application in full and refund the payment to the applicant at his risk (without interest);
  • (ii) in the case that an insufficient sum is paid, to treat the application as a valid application for such lesser whole number of Shares as would be able to be applied for with that payment at the Initial Issue Price, refunding any unutilised sum to the applicant at his risk (without interest); and
  • (iii) in the case that an excess sum is paid, to treat the application as a valid application for all the Shares referred to in the Open Offer Application Form, refunding any unutilised sum to the applicant at his risk (without interest).

All enquiries in connection with the procedure for application and completion of the Open Offer Application Form should be addressed to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays). Please note the Receiving Agent cannot provide advice on the merits of the Initial Open Offer or as to whether applicants should take up their Basic Entitlements or apply for additional Shares under the Excess Application Facility or give any financial, legal or tax advice.

Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders who do not wish to take up or apply for Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility should take no action and should not complete or return the Open Offer Application Form.

A Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder who is also a CREST member may elect to receive the Shares to which he is entitled in uncertificated form in CREST (please see paragraph 4.2(a) below for more information).

4.2 Qualifying CREST Shareholders

(a)General

Subject as provided in paragraph 6 of this Part 7 in relation to certain Overseas Shareholders, each Qualifying CREST Shareholder will receive a credit to his stock account in CREST of his Basic Entitlement equal to the maximum number of Shares for which he is entitled to apply to acquire under the Initial Open Offer. Entitlements to Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number and any Basic Entitlements have therefore also been rounded down. Any fractional entitlements to Shares will be disregarded in calculating Basic Entitlements and will be aggregated and made available to Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility. Any Qualifying CREST Shareholder with fewer than 7 existing Shares will not receive a Basic Entitlement but may apply for Shares under the Excess Application Facility.

The CREST stock account to be credited will be an account under the participant ID and member account ID specified in the section headed "Expected Timetable" in this Securities Note and below.

If for any reason the Basic Entitlement and/or Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements cannot be admitted to CREST by, or the stock accounts of Qualifying CREST Shareholders cannot be credited by 8.00 a.m. on 2 March 2016, or such later time and/or date as the Company may decide, an Open Offer Application Form will be sent to each Qualifying CREST Shareholder in substitution for the Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement which should have been credited to his stock account in CREST. In these circumstances the expected timetable as set out in this Securities Note will be adjusted as appropriate and the provisions of this Securities Note applicable to Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders with Open Offer Application Forms will apply to Qualifying CREST Shareholders who receive such Open Offer Application Forms.

CREST members who wish to apply to acquire some or all of their entitlements to Shares should refer to the CREST Manual for further information on the CREST procedures referred to below. All enquiries in connection with the procedure for application should be addressed to Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays). Please note the Receiving Agent cannot provide financial advice on the merits of the Initial Open Offer or as to whether applicants should take up their Basic Entitlements or apply for additional Shares under the Excess Application Facility nor give any financial, legal or tax advice. If you are a CREST sponsored member you should consult your CREST sponsor if you wish to apply for Shares as only your CREST sponsor will be able to take the necessary action to make this application in CREST.

(b)Market claims

The Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will constitute separate securities for the purposes of CREST. Although Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be admitted to CREST and be enabled for settlement, applications in respect of Basic Entitlements and/or the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements may only be made by the Qualifying CREST Shareholder originally entitled or by a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim transaction. Transactions identified by the CREST Claims Processing Unit as "cum" the Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will generate an appropriate market claim transaction and the relevant Basic Entitlement(s) and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements(s) will thereafter be transferred accordingly.

A Qualifying CREST Shareholder that, as a result of a bona fide market claim has received a shortfall of Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to their CREST account and would like to apply for a larger number of Shares under the Excess Application Facility or to arrange for a further credit of Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to be made should contact the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays).

(c)Excess Application Facility

Qualifying Shareholders may apply to acquire additional Shares using the Excess Application Facility, should they wish. The Excess Application Facility enables Qualifying CREST Shareholders to apply for additional Shares in excess of their Basic Entitlement. An Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement may not be sold or otherwise transferred.

Subject as provided in paragraph 6 below in relation to Overseas Shareholders, the CREST accounts of Qualifying CREST Shareholders will be credited with an Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement in order for any applications for additional Shares to be settled through CREST.

Qualifying CREST Shareholders should note that, although the Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be admitted to CREST, they will have limited settlement capabilities (for the purposes of market claims only). Neither the Basic Entitlements nor the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be tradable or listed and applications in respect of the Initial Open Offer may only be made by the existing Shareholders originally entitled or by a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim.

To apply for additional Shares pursuant to the Excess Application Facility, Qualifying CREST Shareholders should follow the instructions in paragraph 4.2(f) below and must not return a paper form and cheque.

Should a transaction be identified by the Euroclear UK & Ireland's Claims Processing Unit as "cum" the Basic Entitlement and the relevant Basic Entitlement be transferred, the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will not transfer with the Basic Entitlement claim, but will be transferred as a separate claim. Should a Qualifying CREST Shareholder cease to hold all of his Shares as a result of one or more bona fide market claims, the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement credited to CREST and allocated to the relevant existing Shareholder will be transferred to the purchaser. Please note that a separate USE Instruction must be sent in respect of any application under the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement.

The Maximum Excess Application shall be limited to: (a) the maximum size of the Initial Issue; less (b) Shares issued under the Initial Open Offer pursuant to Basic Entitlements and Shares issued pursuant to the terms of the Initial Placing and the Initial Offer for Subscription. Applications under the Excess Application Facility will therefore only be satisfied to the extent that: (i) other Qualifying Shareholders do not apply for their Basic Entitlement in full; (ii) fractional entitlements have been aggregated and made available under the Excess Application Facility; and (iii) (if applicable) valid subscriptions are received in respect of the Initial Offer for Subscription and Initial Placing for fewer than the number of Shares available thereunder.

Qualifying Shareholders can apply for up to the Maximum Excess Application Number of Shares under the Excess Application Facility. Shares under the Excess Application Facility will be allocated to Qualifying Shareholders that have taken up their Basic Entitlements in full on a pro rata basis to their applications under the Excess Application Facility. No assurance can be given that applications by Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility will be met in full or in part or at all.

Excess monies in respect of applications which are not met in full will be returned to the applicant (at the applicant's risk) without interest as soon as practicable thereafter by way of cheque or CREST payment, as appropriate.

(d)Unmatched Stock Event ("USE'') instructions

Qualifying CREST Shareholders who are CREST members and who want to apply for Shares in respect of all or some of their Basic Entitlements and/or Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements must send (or, if they are CREST sponsored members, procure that their CREST sponsor sends) an USE instruction to Euroclear which, on its settlement, will have the following effect:

  • (i) the crediting of a stock account of the Receiving Agent under the participant ID and member account ID specified below, with a number of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements corresponding to the number of Shares applied for; and
  • (ii) the creation of a CREST payment, in accordance with the CREST payment arrangements in favour of the payment bank of the Receiving Agent in respect of the amount specified in the USE instruction which must be the full amount payable on application for the number of Shares referred to in (i) above.

(e)Content of USE instruction in respect of Basic Entitlements

The USE instruction must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear's specifications and must contain, in addition to the other information that is required for settlement in CREST, the following details:

  • (i) the number of Shares for which application is being made (and hence the number of the Basic Entitlement(s) being delivered to the Receiving Agent);
  • (ii) the CREST participant ID of the accepting CREST member;
  • (iii) the CREST member account ID of the accepting CREST member from which the Basic Entitlements are to be debited;
  • (iv) the participant ID of the Receiving Agent in its capacity as a CREST receiving agent. This is 8RA30;
  • (v) the member account ID of the Receiving Agent in its capacity as a CREST receiving agent. This is EMPIOPEN;
  • (vi) the ISIN of the Basic Entitlements. This is GB00BYP7YR81;
  • (vii) the amount payable by means of a CREST payment on settlement of the USE instruction. This must be the full amount payable on application for the number of Shares referred to in (i) above;
  • (viii) the intended settlement date. This must be on or before 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016; and
  • (ix) the Corporate Action Number for the Initial Open Offer. This will be available by viewing the relevant corporate action details in CREST.

In order for an application under the Initial Open Offer to be valid, the USE instruction must comply with the requirements as to authentication and contents set out above and must settle on or before 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016.

In order to assist prompt settlement of the USE instruction, CREST members (or their CREST sponsors, where applicable) may consider adding the following non-mandatory fields to the USE instruction:

  • (i) a contact name and telephone number (in the free format shared note field); and
  • (ii) a priority of at least 90.

CREST members and, in the case of CREST sponsored members, their CREST sponsors, should note that the last time at which a USE instruction may settle on 16 March 2016 in order to be valid is 11.00 a.m. on that day.

In the event that the Initial Issue does not become unconditional by 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 or such later time and date as the Company and Jefferies determine (being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 April 2016), the Initial Issue will lapse, the Basic Entitlements admitted to CREST will be disabled and the Receiving Agent will refund the amount paid by a Qualifying CREST Shareholder by way of a CREST payment, without interest, as soon as practicable thereafter.

(f) Content of USE instruction in respect of Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements

The USE instruction must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear's specifications and must contain, in addition to the other information that is required for settlement in CREST, the following details:

  • (i) the number of Shares for which application is being made (and hence the number of the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement(s) being delivered to the Receiving Agent);
  • (ii) the CREST participant ID of the accepting CREST member;
  • (iii) the CREST member account ID of the accepting CREST member from which the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements are to be debited;
  • (iv) the participant ID of the Receiving Agent in its capacity as a CREST receiving agent. This is 8RA30;
  • (v) the member account ID of the Receiving Agent in its capacity as a CREST receiving agent. This is EMPIOPEN;
  • (vi) the ISIN of the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements. This is GB00BYP7Z420;
  • (vii) the amount payable by means of a CREST payment on settlement of the USE instruction. This must be the full amount payable on application for the number of Shares referred to in (a) above;
  • (viii) the intended settlement date. This must be on or before 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016; and

(ix) the Corporate Action Number for the Initial Open Offer. This will be available by viewing the relevant corporate action details in CREST.

In order for an application for the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements under the Excess Application Facility to be valid, the USE instruction must comply with the requirements as to authentication and contents set out above and must settle on or before 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016.

In order to assist prompt settlement of the USE instruction, CREST members (or their CREST sponsors, where applicable) may consider adding the following non-mandatory fields to the USE instruction:

  • (i) a contact name and telephone number (in the free format shared note field); and
  • (ii) a priority of at least 90.

CREST members and, in the case of CREST sponsored members, their CREST sponsors, should note that the last time at which a USE instruction may settle on 16 March 2016 in order to be valid is 11.00 a.m. on that day. Please note that automated CREST generated claims and buyer protection will not be offered on the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement security.

In the event that the Initial Issue does not become unconditional by 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 or such later time and date as the Company and Jefferies determine (being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 April 2016), the Initial Issue will lapse, the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements admitted to CREST will be disabled and the Receiving Agent will refund the amount paid by a Qualifying CREST Shareholder by way of a CREST payment, without interest, as soon as practicable thereafter.

(g)Deposit of Basic Entitlements into, and withdrawal from, CREST

A Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder's entitlement under the Initial Open Offer as shown by the number of Basic Entitlements set out in his Open Offer Application Form may be deposited into CREST (either into the account of the Qualifying Shareholder named in the Open Offer Application Form or into the name of a person entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim), provided that such Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder is also a CREST member. Similarly, Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements held in CREST may be withdrawn from CREST so that the entitlement under the Initial Open Offer is reflected in an Open Offer Application Form. Normal CREST procedures (including timings) apply in relation to any such deposit or withdrawal, subject (in the case of a deposit into CREST) as set out in the Open Offer Application Form.

A holder of an Open Offer Application Form who is proposing to deposit the entitlement set out in such form into CREST is recommended to ensure that the deposit procedures are implemented in sufficient time to enable the person holding or acquiring the Basic Entitlements and the entitlement to apply under the Excess Application Facility following their deposit into CREST to take all necessary steps in connection with taking up the entitlement prior to 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. After depositing their Basic Entitlements into their CREST account, CREST holders will, shortly after that, receive a credit for their Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement, which will be managed by the Receiving Agent.

In particular, having regard to normal processing times in CREST and on the part of the Receiving Agent, (i) the recommended latest time for depositing an Open Offer Application Form with the CREST Courier and Sorting Service, where the person entitled wishes to hold the entitlement under the Initial Open Offer set out in such Open Offer Application Form as Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements in CREST, is 3.00 p.m. on 11 March 2016 and (ii) the recommended latest time for receipt by Euroclear of a dematerialised instruction requesting withdrawal of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements from CREST is 4.30 p.m. on 16 March 2016 – in either case so as to enable, the person acquiring or (as appropriate) holding the Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements following the deposit or withdrawal (whether as shown in an Open Offer Application Form or held in CREST) to take all necessary steps in connection with applying in respect of the Basic Entitlements and/or Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements, as the case may be, prior to 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. CREST holders inputting the withdrawal of their Basic Entitlements from their CREST account must ensure that they withdraw both their Basic Entitlements and the Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement.

Delivery of an Open Offer Application Form with the CREST deposit form duly completed whether in respect of a deposit into the account of the Qualifying Shareholder named in the Open Offer Application Form or into the name of another person, shall constitute a representation and warranty to the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent by the relevant CREST member(s) that it/they is/are not in breach of the provisions of the notes under the paragraph headed "Instructions for depositing entitlements under the Initial Open Offer into CREST" on page 2 of the Open Offer Application Form, and a declaration to the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent from the relevant CREST member(s) that it/they is/are not in, or citizen(s) or resident(s) of, the United States or any Excluded Territory and, where such deposit is made by a beneficiary of a market claim, a representation and warranty that the relevant CREST member(s) is/are entitled to apply under the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility by virtue of a bona fide market claim.

(h)Validity of application

A USE instruction complying with the requirements as to authentication and contents set out above which settles by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016 will constitute a valid application under the Initial Open Offer and/or Excess Application Facility, as applicable.

(i)CREST procedures and timings

CREST members and (where applicable) their CREST sponsors should note that Euroclear does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular corporate action. Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of a USE instruction and its settlement in connection with the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST sponsored member, to procure that his CREST sponsor takes) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a valid application is made as stated above and settled by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. In this connection CREST members and (where applicable) their CREST sponsors are referred in particular to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

(j)Incorrect or incomplete applications

If a USE instruction includes a CREST payment for an incorrect sum, the Company, through the Registrar, reserves the right:

  • (i) to reject the application in full and refund the payment to the CREST member in question (without interest);
  • (ii) in the case that an insufficient sum is paid, to treat the application as a valid application for such lesser whole number of Shares as would be able to be applied for with that payment at the Initial Issue Price, refunding any unutilised sum to the CREST member in question (without interest); and
  • (iii) in the case that an excess sum is paid, to treat the application as a valid application for all the Shares referred to in the USE instruction, refunding any unutilised sum to the CREST member in question (without interest).

(k)Effect of valid application

A CREST member who makes or is treated as making a valid application in accordance with the above procedures thereby:

  • (i) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he has the right, power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to make the application under the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility, as the case may be, and to execute, deliver and exercise his rights, and perform his obligations under any contracts resulting therefrom and that he is not a person otherwise prevented by legal or regulatory restrictions from applying for Shares or acting on behalf of any such person on a non-discretionary basis;
  • (ii) agrees with the Company, Jefferies and Akur to pay the amount payable on application in accordance with the above procedures by means of a CREST payment in accordance with the CREST payment arrangements (it being acknowledged that the payment to the Receiving Agent's payment bank in accordance with the CREST payment arrangements shall, to the extent of the payment, discharge in full the obligation of the CREST member to pay to the Company the amount payable on application);
  • (iii) agrees with the Company, Jefferies and Akur that all applications and contracts resulting therefrom under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility shall be governed by the laws of England;
  • (iv) confirms to the Company, Jefferies and Akur that in making the application he is not relying on any information or representation in relation to the Company other than that contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission, and the applicant accordingly agrees that no person responsible solely or jointly for the Prospectus, any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission, or any part thereof, or involved in the preparation thereof, shall have any liability for any such information or representation not so contained and further agrees that, having had the opportunity to read the Prospectus, he will be deemed to have had notice of all the information in relation to the Company and the Shares contained in the Prospectus (including matters incorporated by reference);

  • (v) represents and warrants to the Company, Jefferies and Akur that he is the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled to the Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement or that he has received such Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement by virtue of a bona fide market claim;

  • (vi) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that if he has received some or all his Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement from a person other than the Company, he is entitled to apply under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility in relation to such Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement by virtue of a bona fide market claim;
  • (vii) requests that the Shares to which he will become entitled be issued to him on the terms set out in this Securities Note, subject to the Articles;
  • (viii) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he is not, nor is he applying on behalf of anyone who is in, or is a citizen or resident, or is a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under any laws of, the United States or any Excluded Territory and he is not applying with a view to re-offering, re-selling, transferring or delivering any of the Shares which are the subject of his application in or to, or for the benefit of, any person who is a citizen or resident or which is a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under any laws of the United States or any Excluded Territory (except where proof satisfactory to the Company has been provided to the Company that he is able to accept the invitation by the Company free of any requirement which the Company (in its absolute discretion) regards as unduly burdensome), nor acting on behalf of any such person on a non-discretionary basis nor (a) person(s) otherwise prevented by legal or regulatory restrictions from applying for Shares under the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility;
  • (ix) represents and warrants to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur that he is not, and nor is he applying as nominee or agent for, a person who is or may be liable to notify and account for tax under the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax Regulations 1986 at any of the increased rates referred to in Section 93 (depository receipts) or Section 96 (clearance services) of the Finance Act 1986;
  • (x) confirms that in making the application he is not relying and has not relied on Jefferies, Akur or any person affiliated with Jefferies or Akur in connection with any investigation of the accuracy of any information contained in the Prospectus or any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission or his investment decision; and
  • (xi) confirms that no person has been authorised to give any information or to make any representation concerning the Company or the Shares (other than as contained in the Prospectus or any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission) and, if given or made, any such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Company, Jefferies or Akur.

(l)Company's discretion as to the rejection and validity of applications

The Company may in its sole discretion:

  • (i) treat as valid (and binding on the CREST member concerned) an application which does not comply in all respects with the requirements as to validity set out or referred to in this Part 7;
  • (ii) accept an alternative properly authenticated dematerialised instruction from a CREST member or (where applicable) a CREST sponsor as constituting a valid application in substitution for or in addition to a USE instruction and subject to such further terms and conditions as the Company may determine;
  • (iii) treat a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction (in this sub-paragraph the "first instruction") as not constituting a valid application if, at the time at which the Registrar receives a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction giving details of the first instruction or thereafter, either the Company or the Receiving Agent has received actual notice from Euroclear of any of the matters specified in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the CREST Regulations in relation to the first instruction. These matters include notice that any information contained in the first instruction was incorrect or notice of lack of authority to send the first instruction; and
  • (iv) accept an alternative instruction or notification from a CREST member or CREST sponsored member or (where applicable) a CREST sponsor, or extend the time for settlement of a USE instruction or any alternative instruction or notification, in the event that, for reasons or due to circumstances outside the control of any CREST member or CREST sponsored member or (where applicable) CREST sponsor, the CREST member or CREST sponsored member is unable validly to apply for Shares by means of the above procedures. In normal circumstances, this discretion is only likely to be exercised in the event of any interruption, failure of breakdown of CREST (or any part of CREST) or on the part of the facilities and/or systems operated by the Receiving Agent in connection with CREST.

(m)Lapse of the Initial Open Offer

In the event that the Initial Issue does not become unconditional by 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 or such later time and date as the Company and Jefferies may agree (being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 30 April 2016), the Initial Issue will lapse, the Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements admitted to CREST will be disabled and the Receiving Agent will refund the amount paid by a Qualifying CREST Shareholder by way of a CREST payment, without interest, as soon as practicable thereafter.

5. MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS

5.1 Holders of Application Forms

To ensure compliance with the UK Money Laundering Regulations, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and any other applicable regulations, the Receiving Agent may require, at its absolute discretion, verification of the identity of the person by whom or on whose behalf the Open Offer Application Form is lodged with payment (which requirements are referred to below as the "verification of identity requirements"). If the Open Offer Application Form is submitted by a UK regulated broker or intermediary acting as agent and which is itself subject to the UK Money Laundering Regulations, any verification of identity requirements are the responsibility of such broker or intermediary and not of the Receiving Agent. In such case, the lodging agent's stamp should be inserted on the Open Offer Application Form.

The person lodging the Open Offer Application Form with payment and in accordance with the other terms as described above (the "acceptor"), including any person who appears to the Receiving Agent to be acting on behalf of some other person, accepts the Initial Open Offer in respect of such number of Shares as is referred to therein (for the purposes of this paragraph 5 the "relevant Shares") and shall thereby be deemed to agree to provide the Receiving Agent with such information and other evidence as the Receiving Agent may require to satisfy the verification of identity requirements.

If the Receiving Agent determines that the verification of identity requirements apply to any acceptor or application, the relevant Shares (notwithstanding any other term of the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility) will not be issued to the relevant acceptor unless and until the verification of identity requirements have been satisfied in respect of that acceptor or application. The Receiving Agent is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to determine whether the verification of identity requirements apply to any acceptor or application and whether such requirements have been satisfied, and neither the Receiving Agent nor the Company will be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered or incurred (or alleged), directly or indirectly, as a result of the exercise of such discretion.

If the verification of identity requirements apply, failure to provide the necessary evidence of identity within a reasonable time may result in delays in the despatch of share certificates or in crediting CREST accounts. If, within a reasonable time following a request for verification of identity, the Receiving Agent has not received evidence satisfactory to it as aforesaid, the Company may, in its absolute discretion, treat the relevant application as invalid, in which event the monies payable on acceptance of the Initial Open Offer or under the Excess Application Facility will be returned (at the acceptors risk) without interest to the account of the bank or building society on which the relevant cheque or banker's draft was drawn.

Submission of an Open Offer Application Form with the appropriate remittance will constitute a warranty to each of the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur from the applicant that the UK Money Laundering Regulations will not be breached by application of such remittance.

The verification of identity requirements will not usually apply:

  • (a) if the applicant is an organisation required to comply with the Money Laundering Directive (the Council Directive on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering (no. 91/308/EEC));
  • (b) if the acceptor is a regulated United Kingdom broker or intermediary acting as agent and is itself subject to the UK Money Laundering Regulations;
  • (c) if the applicant (not being an applicant who delivers his application in person) makes payment by way of a cheque drawn on an account in the applicant's name;
  • (d) if the aggregate subscription price for the Shares is less than €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent);

  • (e) if payment is made by cheque or banker's draft in sterling drawn on a branch in the United Kingdom of a bank or building society which bears a UK bank sort code number in the top right hand corner the following applies. Cheques should be made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property Plc – Open Offer A/C" and crossed "A/C payee only". Third party cheques may not be accepted with the exception of building society cheques or bankers' drafts where the building society or bank has confirmed the name of the account holder by stamping or endorsing the cheque/banker's draft to such effect. The account name should be the same as that shown on the Open Offer Application Form; or

  • (f) if the Open Offer Application Form is lodged with payment by an agent which is an organisation of the kind referred to in (a) above or which is subject to anti-money laundering regulation in a country which is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (the non-European Union members of which are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, UK Crown Dependencies and the USA and, by virtue of their membership of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), the agent should provide with the Open Offer Application Form written confirmation that it has that status and a written assurance that it has obtained and recorded evidence of the identity of the person for whom it acts and that it will on demand make such evidence available to the Receiving Agent. If the agent is not such an organisation, it should contact the Receiving Agent.

To confirm the acceptability of any written assurance referred to in (f) above, or in any other case, the acceptor should contact the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays).The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Initial Open Offer or the Excess Application Facility nor give any financial, legal or tax advice.

If the Open Offer Application Form is in respect of Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility with an aggregate subscription price of €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent) or more and is lodged by hand by the acceptor in person, or if the Open Offer Application Form in respect of Shares is/are lodged by hand by the acceptor and the accompanying payment is not the acceptor's own cheque, he or she should ensure that he or she has with him or her evidence of identity bearing his or her photograph (for example, his or her passport) and separate evidence of his or her address.

If, within a reasonable period of time following a request for verification of identity, and in any case by no later than 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016, the Receiving Agent has not received evidence satisfactory to it as aforesaid, the Receiving Agent under instructions from the Company may, at its discretion, reject the relevant application, in which event the monies submitted in respect of that application will be returned without interest to the account at the drawee bank from which such monies were originally debited (without prejudice to the rights of the Company to undertake proceedings to recover monies in respect of the loss suffered by it as a result of the failure to produce satisfactory evidence as aforesaid).

5.2 Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements in CREST

If you hold your Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements in CREST and apply for Shares in respect of some or all of your Basic Entitlement and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlement as agent for one or more persons and you are not a UK or EU regulated person or institution (e.g. a UK financial institution), then, irrespective of the value of the application, the Receiving Agent is obliged to take reasonable measures to establish the identity of the person or persons on whose behalf you are making the application. You must therefore contact the Receiving Agent before sending any USE or other instruction so that appropriate measures may be taken.

Submission of a USE instruction which on its settlement constitutes a valid application as described above constitutes a warranty and undertaking by the applicant to the Company, the Receiving Agent, Jefferies and Akur to provide promptly to the Receiving Agent such information as may be specified by the Receiving Agent as being required for the purposes of the UK Money Laundering Regulations. Pending the provision of evidence satisfactory to the Receiving Agent as to identity, the Receiving Agent may in its absolute discretion take, or omit to take, such action as it may determine to prevent or delay issue of the Shares concerned. If satisfactory evidence of identity has not been provided within a reasonable time, then the application for the Shares represented by the USE instruction will not be valid. This is without prejudice to the right of the Company to take proceedings to recover any loss suffered by it as a result of failure to provide satisfactory evidence.

6. OVERSEAS SHAREHOLDERS

The Prospectus has been approved by the FCA, being the competent authority in the United Kingdom. The comments set out in this paragraph 6 are intended as a general guide only and any Overseas Shareholders who are in any doubt as to their position should consult their professional advisers without delay.

6.1 General

The distribution of the Prospectus and the making of the Initial Open Offer and Excess Application Facility to persons who have registered addresses in, or who are resident in, or citizens of, or which are corporations, partnerships or other entities created or organised under the laws of countries other than the United Kingdom or to persons who are nominees of or custodians, trustees or guardians for citizens, residents in or nationals of countries other than the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws or regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdictions. Those persons should consult their professional advisers as to whether they require any governmental or other consents or need to observe any applicable legal requirements or other formalities to enable them to apply for Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility.

No action has been or will be taken by the Company, Jefferies, Akur or any other person, to permit a public offering or distribution of the Prospectus (or any other offering or publicity materials or application form(s) relating to the Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility or Shares to be issued under the Initial Offer for Subscription) in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose may be required.

No public offer of Shares is being made by virtue of the Prospectus or the Open Offer Application Form into the United States or any Excluded Territory.

Receipt of the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form and/or a credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST will not constitute an invitation or offer of securities for subscription, sale or purchase in those jurisdictions in which it would be illegal to make such an invitation or offer and, in those circumstances, the Prospectus and/or the Open Offer Application Form must be treated as sent for information only and should not be copied or redistributed.

Open Offer Application Forms will not be sent to, and Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will not be credited to stock accounts in CREST of, persons with registered addresses in the United States or any other Excluded Territory or their agent or intermediary, except where the Company is satisfied that such action would not result in the contravention of any registration or other legal requirement in any jurisdiction.

No person receiving a copy of the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form and/or a credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST in any territory other than the United Kingdom may treat the same as constituting an invitation or offer to him or her, nor should he or she in any event use any such Open Offer Application Form and/or credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST unless, in the relevant territory, such an invitation or offer could lawfully be made to him or her and such Open Offer Application Form and/or credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST could lawfully be used, and any transaction resulting from such use could be effected, without contravention of any registration or other legal or regulatory requirements. In circumstances where an invitation or offer would contravene any registration or other legal or regulatory requirements, the Prospectus and/or the Open Offer Application Form must be treated as sent for information only and should not be copied or redistributed.

It is the responsibility of any person (including, without limitation, custodians, agent, nominees and trustees) outside the United Kingdom wishing to apply for Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility to satisfy himself or herself as to the full observance of the laws of any relevant territory in connection therewith, including obtaining any governmental or other consents that may be required, observing any other formalities required to be observed in such territory and paying any issue, transfer or other taxes due in such territory.

None of the Company, Jefferies, Akur nor any of their respective representatives is making any representation to any offeree or purchaser of the Shares regarding the legality of an investment in the Shares by such offeree or purchaser under the laws applicable to such offeree or purchaser.

Persons (including, without limitation, custodians, agents, nominees and trustees) receiving a copy of the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form and/or a credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST, in connection with the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility or otherwise, should not distribute or send either of those documents nor transfer Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would or might contravene local securities laws or regulations. If a copy of the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form and/or a credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST is received by any person in any such territory, or by his or her custodian, agent, nominee or trustee, he or she must not seek to apply for Shares in respect of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility unless the Company or Jefferies determine that such action would not violate applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any person (including, without limitation, custodians, agents, nominees and trustees) who does forward a copy of the Prospectus and/or an Open Offer Application Form and/or transfers Basic Entitlements and/or Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements into any such territory, whether pursuant to a contractual or legal obligation or otherwise, should draw the attention of the recipient to the contents of this Part 7 and specifically the contents of this paragraph 6.

The Company reserves the right to treat as invalid any application or purported application for Shares that appears to the Company or its agents to have been executed, effected, or dispatched from the United States or any Excluded Territory or in a manner that may involve a breach of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction or if the Company or its agents believe that the same may violate applicable legal or regulatory requirements or if it provides an address for delivery of the share certificates relating to Shares (or in the case of a credit of Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements to a stock account in CREST, to a CREST member whose registered address would be), in the United States or any Excluded Territory.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Prospectus or the Open Offer Application Form, the Company reserves the right to permit any person to apply for Shares in respect of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility if the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, is satisfied that the transaction in question is exempt from, or not subject to, the legislation or regulations giving rise to the restrictions in question.

Overseas Shareholders who wish, and are permitted, to apply for Shares should note that payment must be made in sterling denominated cheques or bankers' drafts or where such Overseas Shareholder is a Qualifying CREST Shareholder, through CREST.

6.2 United States

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold, re-sold, taken up, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within the United States except in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States.

Accordingly, the Company is not extending the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility into the United States and neither the Prospectus nor the Open Offer Application Form constitutes or will constitute an offer or an invitation to apply for or an offer or an invitation to acquire any Shares pursuant to the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility in the United States. An Open Offer Application Form, will not be sent to, and no Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility will be credited to, a stock account in CREST of, any Shareholder with a registered address in the United States. Open Offer Application Forms sent from or postmarked in the United States will be deemed to be invalid and all persons acquiring Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility and wishing to hold such Shares in registered form must provide an address for registration outside the United States.

Any person who acquires Shares pursuant to the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility will be deemed to have declared, warranted and agreed, by accepting delivery of the Prospectus or the Open Offer Application Form and delivery of such Shares, that they are not, and that at the time of acquiring the Shares pursuant to the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility they will not be, in the United States or acting on behalf of, or for the account or benefit of a person on a non-discretionary basis in the United States or any state of the United States.

The Company reserves the right to treat as invalid any Open Offer Application Form that appears to the Company or its agents to have been executed in, or despatched from, the United States, or that provides an address in the United States for the receipt of Shares, or which does not make the warranty set out in the Open Offer Application Form to the effect that the person completing the Open Offer Application Form does not have a registered address and is not otherwise located in the United States and is not acquiring the Shares with a view to the offer, sale, resale, transfer, delivery or distribution, directly or indirectly, of any such Shares in the United States or where the Company believes acceptance of such Open Offer Application Form may infringe applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

The Company will not be bound to allot or issue any Shares to any person with an address in, or who is otherwise located in, the United States in whose favour an Open Offer Application Form. In addition, the Company and Jefferies reserve the right to reject any USE instruction sent by or on behalf of any CREST member with a registered address in the United States in respect of the Shares.

6.3 Excluded Territories

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the relevant laws of any Excluded Territories or any state, province or territory thereof and may not be offered, sold, resold, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into any Excluded Territories or to, or for the account or benefit of, any person with a registered address in, or who is resident in, or a citizen of, any Excluded Territories except pursuant to an applicable exemption. No offer of Shares is being made by virtue of the Prospectus or the Open Offer Application Form into any Excluded Territories.

6.4 Other overseas territories

Open Offer Application Forms will be sent to Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders and Basic Entitlements and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements will be credited to the stock account in CREST of Qualifying CREST Shareholders. Qualifying Shareholders in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may, subject to the laws of their relevant jurisdiction, take up Shares under the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility in accordance with the instructions set out in this Securities Note and the Open Offer Application Form.

Shareholders who have registered addresses in, or who are resident in, or citizens of countries other than the United Kingdom should consult appropriate professional advisers as to whether they require any governmental or other consents or need to observe any other formalities to enable them to apply for any Shares in respect of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility.

6.5 Representations and warranties relating to Overseas Shareholders

(a)Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders

Any person completing and returning an Open Offer Application Form or requesting registration of the Shares comprised therein represents and warrants to the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Registrar that, except where proof has been provided to the Company's satisfaction that such person's use of the Open Offer Application Form will not result in the contravention of any applicable legal requirements in any jurisdiction: (i) such person is not requesting registration of the relevant Shares from within the United States or any Excluded Territory; (ii) such person is not in any territory in which it is unlawful to make or accept an offer to acquire Shares in respect of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility or to use the Open Offer Application Form in any manner in which such person has used or will use it; (iii) such person is not acting on a non-discretionary basis for a person located within any Excluded Territory (except as agreed with the Company) or any territory referred to in (ii) above at the time the instruction to accept was given; and (iv) such person is not acquiring Shares with a view to the offer, sale, resale, transfer, delivery or distribution, directly or indirectly, of any such Shares into the United States any Excluded Territory.

The Company and/or the Receiving Agent may treat as invalid any acceptance or purported acceptance of the allotment of Shares comprised in an Open Offer Application Form if it: (i) appears to the Company or its agents to have been executed, effected or dispatched from the United States or any Excluded Territory or in a manner that may involve a breach of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction or if the Company or its agents believe that the same may violate applicable legal or regulatory requirements; or (ii) provides an address in the United States or any Excluded Territory for delivery of the share certificates of Shares (or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom in which it would be unlawful to deliver such share certificates); or (iii) purports to exclude the warranty required by this sub-paragraph 6.5(a).

(b)Qualifying CREST Shareholders

A CREST member or CREST sponsored member who makes a valid acceptance in accordance with the procedures set out in this Part 7 represents and warrants to the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent that, except where proof has been provided to the Company's satisfaction that such person's acceptance will not result in the contravention of any applicable legal requirement in any jurisdiction: (i) he or she is not within the United States or any Excluded Territory; (ii) he or she is not in any territory in which it is unlawful to make or accept an offer to acquire Shares; (iii) he or she is not accepting on a non-discretionary basis for a person located within any Excluded Territory (except as otherwise agreed with the Company) or any territory referred to in (ii) above at the time the instruction to accept was given; and (iv) he or she is not acquiring any Shares with a view to the offer, sale, resale, transfer, delivery or distribution, directly or indirectly, of any such Shares into any of the above territories.

6.6 Waiver

The provisions of this paragraph 6 and of any other terms of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility relating to Overseas Shareholders may be waived, varied or modified as regards specific Qualifying Shareholders or on a general basis by the Company and/or Jefferies in their absolute discretion. Subject to this, the provisions of this paragraph 6 supersede any terms of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility inconsistent herewith. References in this paragraph 6 to Qualifying Shareholders shall include references to the person or persons executing an Open Offer Application Form and, in the event of more than one person executing an Open Offer Application Form, the provisions of this paragraph 6 shall apply to them jointly and to each of them.

7. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

Qualifying Shareholders wishing to exercise or direct the exercise of statutory withdrawal rights pursuant to Section 87Q(4) of FSMA after the issue by the Company of a supplementary Prospectus must do so by lodging a written notice of withdrawal within two Business Days commencing on the Business Day after the date on which the supplementary prospectus is published. The withdrawal notice must include the full name and address of the person wishing to exercise statutory withdrawal rights and, if such person is a CREST member, the participant ID and the member account ID of such CREST member. The notice of withdrawal must be deposited by post or by hand only (during normal business hours only) with the Receiving Agent so as to be received before the end of the withdrawal period. In relation to any enquiries please call Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays). The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Initial Open Offer and/or the Excess Application Facility nor give any financial, legal or tax advice. Notice of withdrawal given by any other means or which is deposited with the Registrar after expiry of such period will not constitute a valid withdrawal, provided that the Company will not permit the exercise of withdrawal rights after payment by the relevant person for the Shares applied for in full and the allotment of such Shares to such person becoming unconditional save to the extent required by statute. In such event, Qualifying Shareholders are advised to seek independent legal advice.

8. INITIAL ADMISSION, SETTLEMENT AND DEALINGS

Application will be made to the UK Listing Authority for the Shares to be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List. Application will also be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Shares to be admitted to trading on the Main Market. It is expected that Initial Admission will become effective and that dealings in the Shares, fully paid, will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016. All such shares, when issued and fully paid, may be held and transferred by means of CREST.

Basic Entitlements held in CREST and Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements are expected to be disabled in all respects after 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016 (the latest date for applications under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility). If the condition(s) to the Initial Open Offer described above are satisfied, Shares will be issued in uncertificated form to those persons who submitted a valid application for Shares by utilising the CREST application procedures and whose applications have been accepted by the Company. Computershare Investor Services PLC will instruct Euroclear to credit the appropriate stock accounts of such persons with such persons' entitlements to Shares with effect from Initial Admission (expected to be at 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016). The stock accounts to be credited will be accounts under the same CREST participant IDs and CREST member account IDs in respect of which the USE instruction was given.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Prospectus, the Company reserves the right to send Qualifying CREST Shareholders an Open Offer Application Form instead of crediting the relevant stock account with Basic Entitlements and the Excess Application Facility, and to allot and/or issue any Shares in certificated form. In normal circumstances, this right is only likely to be exercised in the event of any interruption, failure or breakdown of CREST (or of any part of CREST) or on the part of the facilities and/or systems operated by the Registrar in connection with CREST.

For Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders who have applied by using an Open Offer Application Form, share certificates in respect of the Shares are expected to be despatched in the week commencing 4 April 2016. No temporary documents of title will be issued and, pending the issue of definitive certificates, transfers will be certified against the UK share register of the Company. All documents or remittances sent by or to applicants or as they may direct, will be sent through the post at their own risk. For more information as to the procedure for application, Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders are referred to paragraph 4.1 above and their respective Open Offer Application Form.

9. TIMES AND DATES

The Company shall, in agreement with Jefferies and after consultation with its financial and legal advisers, be entitled to amend the dates that Open Offer Application Forms are despatched or amend or extend the latest date for acceptance under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility and all related dates set out in this Securities Note and in such circumstances shall notify the London Stock Exchange and make an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service but Shareholders may not receive any further written communication.

If a supplementary prospectus is issued by the Company two or fewer Business Days prior to the latest time and date for acceptance any payment in full under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility specified in this Securities Note, the latest date for acceptance under the Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility shall be extended to the date that is three Business Days after the date of issue of the supplementary prospectus (and the dates and times of principal events due to take place following such date shall be extended accordingly).

10. TAXATION

Certain statements regarding United Kingdom taxation in respect of the Shares and the Initial Open Offer are set out in Part 3 of this Securities Note. Shareholders who are in any doubt as to their tax position in relation to taking up their entitlements under the Initial Open Offer and/or making an application under the Excess Application Facility or who are subject to tax in any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom, should immediately consult a suitable professional adviser.

11. FURTHER INFORMATION

Your attention is drawn to the further information set out in the Prospectus and also, in the case of Non-CREST Shareholders and other Qualifying Shareholders to whom the Company has sent Open Offer Application Forms, to the terms, conditions and other information printed on the accompanying Open Offer Application Form.

12. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

The terms and conditions of the Initial Open Offer as set out in this Securities Note, the Open Offer Application Form and any non-contractual obligation related thereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law. The courts of England and Wales are to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of or in connection with the Initial Open Offer, the Excess Application Facility, the Prospectus or the Open Offer Application Form. By taking up Shares by way of their Basic Entitlement and/or applying for Shares under the Excess Application Facility, in accordance with the instructions set out in this Securities Note and, where applicable, the Open Offer Application Form, Shareholders irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales and waive any objection to proceedings in any such court on the ground of venue or on the ground that proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.

PART 8

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OFFER FOR SUBSCRIPTION

The Shares are only suitable for investors who understand the potential risk of capital loss and that there may be limited liquidity in the underlying investments of the Company, for whom an investment in Shares is part of a diversified investment programme and who fully understand and are willing to assume the risks involved in such an investment programme. In the case of a joint Application, references to you in these Terms and Conditions of Application are to each of you, and your liability is joint and several. Please ensure you read these terms and conditions in full before completing the Application Form.

The Initial Offer for Subscription is only being made in the United Kingdom. If you are outside of the United Kingdom see paragraph 2.7 of this Part 8.

1. INTRODUCTION

Shares are available under the Initial Offer for Subscription at the Initial Issue Price.

Applications must be made on the application form (the "Application Form") attached to this Securities Note or otherwise published by the Company.

2. EFFECT OF APPLICATION

Applications under the Initial Offer for Subscription must be for a minimum of 1,000 Shares and thereafter in multiples of 100 Shares.

2.1 Offer to acquire Shares

By completing and delivering an Application Form, you, as the applicant, and, if you sign the Application Form on behalf of another person or a corporation, that person or corporation:

  • (a) offer to subscribe for such number of Shares at 107.5 pence per Share as may be purchased by the subscription amount specified in Box 1 on your Application Form (being a minimum of 1,000 Shares), or such smaller number for which such application is accepted, on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set out in this Securities Note, including these Terms and Conditions of Application and the Articles in force from time to time;
  • (b) agree that, in consideration of the Company agreeing that it will not, prior to the date of Initial Admission in relation to the Initial Issue, offer for subscription any Shares to any person other than by means of the procedures referred to in this Securities Note your application may not be revoked (subject to any legal right to withdraw your application which arises as a result of the publication of a supplementary prospectus by the Company prior to Initial Admission) and that this paragraph shall constitute a collateral contract between you and the Company which will become binding upon despatch by post to or, in the case of delivery by hand, on receipt by, the Receiving Agent of your Application Form;
  • (c) undertake to pay the subscription amount specified in Box 1 on your Application Form in full on application and warrant that the remittance accompanying your Application Form will be honoured on first presentation and agree that if such remittance is not so honoured you will not be entitled to receive a share certificate

for the Shares applied for in certificated form or be entitled to commence dealing in Shares applied for in uncertificated form or to enjoy or receive any rights in respect of such Shares unless and until you make payment in cleared funds for such Shares and such payment is accepted by the Receiving Agent (which acceptance shall not constitute an acceptance of your application under the Initial Offer for Subscription and shall be in its absolute discretion and on the basis that you indemnify the Receiving Agent, the Company, Jefferies and Akur against all costs, damages, losses, expenses and liabilities arising out of, or in connection with, the failure of your remittance to be honoured on first presentation) and the Company may (without prejudice to any other rights it may have) avoid the agreement to allot the Shares and may allot them to some other person, in which case you will not be entitled to any refund or payment in respect thereof (other than the refund by way of a cheque in your favour at your risk, for an amount equal to the proceeds of the remittance which accompanied your Application Form, without interest);

  • (d) agree, that where on your Application Form a request is made for Shares to be deposited into a CREST account (a "CREST Account"), (i) the Receiving Agent may in its absolute discretion issue such Shares in certificated form registered in the name(s) of the holder(s) specified in your Application Form (and recognise that the Receiving Agent will so amend the form if there is any delay in satisfying the identity of the applicant or the owner of the CREST Account or in receiving your remittance in cleared funds) and (ii) the Receiving Agent, the Company, Jefferies or Akur may authorise your financial adviser or whoever he or she may direct to send a document of title for or credit your CREST Account in respect of the number of Shares for which your application is accepted, and/or a crossed cheque for any monies returnable, by post at your risk to your address set out on your Application Form;
  • (e) agree, in respect of applications for Shares in certificated form (or where the Receiving Agent exercises its discretion pursuant to paragraph 2.1(d) above to issue Shares in certificated form), that any share certificate to which you or, in the case of joint applicants, any of the persons specified by you in your Application Form may become entitled or pursuant to paragraph 2.1(d) above (and any monies returnable to you) may be retained by the Receiving Agent:
  • (i) pending clearance of your remittance;
  • (ii) pending investigation of any suspected breach of the warranties contained in paragraphs 2.5(a), (b), (f), (h), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r) or (s) or any other suspected breach of these Terms and Conditions of Application; or
  • (iii) pending any verification of identity which is, or which the Receiving Agent considers may be, required for the purpose of the UK Money Laundering Regulations and any other regulations applicable thereto, and any interest accruing on such retained monies shall accrue to and for the benefit of the Company;
  • (f) agree, on the request of the Receiving Agent to disclose promptly in writing to them such information as the Receiving Agent may request in connection with your application and authorise the Receiving Agent to disclose any information relating to your application which they may consider appropriate;
  • (g) agree that if satisfactory evidence of identity is not provided to the Receiving Agent within a reasonable time (in the opinion of the Receiving Agent) following a request, the Company may terminate the agreement with you to allot Shares and, in such case, the Shares which would otherwise have been allotted to you may be re-allotted or sold to some other party and the lesser of your application monies or such

proceeds of sale (as the case may be, with the proceeds of any gain derived from a sale accruing to the Company) will be returned by a cheque drawn on a branch of a UK clearing bank to the bank account on which the payment accompanying the application was first drawn without interest and at your risk;

  • (h) agree that you are not applying on behalf of a person engaged in money laundering;
  • (i) undertake to ensure that, in the case of an application signed by someone else on your behalf, the original of the relevant power of attorney (or a complete copy certified by a solicitor or notary) is enclosed with your Application Form together with full identity documents for the person so signing;
  • (j) undertake to pay interest at the rate described in paragraph 2.2 below if the remittance accompanying your Application Form is not honoured on first presentation;
  • (k) authorise the Receiving Agent to procure that there be sent to you definitive certificates in respect of the number of Shares for which your application is accepted or if you have completed Section 2B on your Application Form, but subject to paragraph 2.1(d) above, to deliver the number of Shares for which your application is accepted into CREST, and/or to return any monies returnable by a cheque drawn on a branch of a UK clearing house to the bank account name from which such monies were received without interest and at your risk;
  • (l) confirm that you have read and complied with paragraph 2.7 below;
  • (m) agree that all subscription cheques and payments will be processed through a bank account (the "Acceptance Account") in the name of "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property plc – Offer for Subscription A/C" opened by the Receiving Agent;
  • (n) agree that your Application Form is addressed to the Company and the Receiving Agent;
  • (o) agree that if a fractional entitlement to a Share arises on your application, the number of Shares issued to you will be rounded down to the nearest whole number and any fractions shall be retained by the Company for its benefit;
  • (p) acknowledge that the offer to the public of Shares is being made only in the United Kingdom and represent that you are a United Kingdom resident (unless you are able to provide such evidence as the Company may, in its absolute discretion, require that you are entitled to apply for Shares); and
  • (q) agree that any application may be rejected in whole or in part at the sole discretion of the Company.

2.2 Acceptance of your offer

The Receiving Agent under instruction of the Company, may accept your offer to subscribe (if your application is received, valid (or treated as valid), processed and not rejected).

The basis of allocation will be determined by the Company in consultation with Jefferies. The right is reserved notwithstanding the basis as so determined to reject in whole or in part and/or scale back any application. The right is reserved to treat as valid any application not complying fully with these Terms and Conditions of Application or not in all respects completed or delivered in accordance with the instructions accompanying the Application Form. In particular, but without limitation, the Company may accept an application made otherwise than by completion of an Application Form where you have agreed with the Company in some other manner to apply in accordance with these Terms and Conditions of Application.

The Receiving Agent will present all cheques and bankers' drafts for payment on receipt and will retain documents of title and surplus monies pending clearance of successful applicants' payments.

The Receiving Agent may, as agent of the Company, require you to pay interest or its other resulting costs (or both) if the payment accompanying your application is not honoured on first presentation. If you are required to pay interest you will be obliged to pay the amount determined by the Company to be the interest on the amount of the payment from the date on which all payments in cleared funds are due to be received until the date of receipt of cleared funds. The rate of interest will be a rate equal to the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for seven day deposits in sterling plus 2 per cent. per annum. The right is also reserved to reject in whole or in part, or to scale down or limit, any application.

Payments must be made by cheque or banker's draft in pounds sterling drawn on a branch in the United Kingdom of a bank or building society that is either a member of the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company Limited or the CHAPS Clearing Company Limited or that has arranged for its cheques or bankers' drafts to be cleared through the facilities provided for members of either of those companies. Such cheques or bankers' drafts must bear the appropriate sort code in the top right hand corner. Cheques, which must be drawn on the personal account of an individual applicant where they have sole or joint title to the funds, should be made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property Plc – Offer for Subscription A/C" and crossed "A/C payee only". Third party cheques may not be accepted with the exception of building society cheques or bankers' drafts where the building society or bank has confirmed the name of the account holder by stamping/endorsing the cheque or banker's draft to that effect. The account name should be the same as that shown on the Application Form.

For applicants sending subscription monies by electronic bank transfer (CHAPS) payment must be made for value by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by email at [email protected] for full bank details or telephone the Shareholder Helpline for further information. Computershare will then provide you with a unique reference number which must be used when sending payment.

Applicants choosing to settle via CREST, that is DVP, will need to match their instructions to Computershare's participant account 8RA22 by no later than 1.00 p.m. on 17 March 2016, allowing for the delivery and acceptance of Shares to be made against payment of the Initial Issue Price, following the CREST matching criteria set out in the Application Form.

2.3 Conditions

The contract created by the acceptance of applications (in whole or in part) under the Initial Offer for Subscription will be conditional upon:

  • (a) Initial Admission in relation to the Shares issued pursuant to the Initial Issue occurring and becoming effective by 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 21 March 2016 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and Jefferies may agree); and
  • (b) the Share Issuance Programme Placing Agreement becoming otherwise unconditional in all respects in relation to the Initial Issue (save as to Initial

Admission) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms prior to Initial Admission.

You will not be entitled to exercise any remedy of rescission for innocent misrepresentation (including pre-contractual representations) at any time after acceptance. This does not affect any other right you may have.

2.4 Return of application monies

Where application monies have been banked and/or received, if any application is not accepted in whole, or is accepted in part only, or if any contract created by acceptance does not become unconditional, the application monies or, as the case may be, the balance of the amount paid on application will be returned without interest by returning your cheque, or by crossed cheque in your favour, by post at the risk of the person(s) entitled thereto, without interest. In the meantime, application monies will be retained by the Receiving Agent in a non-interest bearing separate account.

2.5 Warranties

By completing an Application Form, you:

  • (a) undertake and warrant that, if you sign the Application Form on behalf of somebody else or on behalf of a corporation, you have due authority to do so on behalf of that other person and that such other person will be bound accordingly and will be deemed also to have given the confirmations, warranties and undertakings contained in these Terms and Conditions of Application and undertake to enclose your power of attorney or other authority or a complete copy thereof duly certified by a solicitor or notary;
  • (b) warrant, if the laws of any territory or jurisdiction outside the UK are applicable to your application, that you have complied with all such laws, obtained all governmental and other consents which may be required, complied with all requisite formalities and paid any issue, transfer or other taxes due in connection with your application in any territory and that you have not taken any action or omitted to take any action which will result in the Company or the Receiving Agent or any of their respective officers, agents or employees acting in breach of the regulatory or legal requirements, directly or indirectly, of any territory or jurisdiction outside of the UK in connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription in respect of your application;
  • (c) confirm that (save for advice received from your financial adviser (if any)) in making an application you are not relying on any information or representations in relation to the Company other than those contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission (on the basis of which alone your application is made) and accordingly you agree that no person responsible solely or jointly for the Prospectus, any such supplementary prospectus, or any part thereof shall have any liability for any such other information or representation;
  • (d) agree that, having had the opportunity to read the Prospectus, you shall be deemed to have had notice of all information and representations concerning the Company and the Shares contained therein;
  • (e) acknowledge that no person is authorised in connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription to give any information or make any representation other than as contained in the Prospectus and any supplementary prospectus published by the Company prior to Initial Admission and, if given or made, any information or

representation must not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Company, Jefferies, Akur or the Receiving Agent;

  • (f) warrant that you are not under the age of 18 on the date of your application;
  • (g) agree that all documents and monies sent by post to, by, from or on behalf of the Company or the Receiving Agent, will be sent at your risk and, in the case of documents and returned application cheques and payments to be sent to you, may be sent to you at your address (or, in the case of joint holders, the address of the first named holder) as set out in your Application Form;
  • (h) confirm that you have reviewed the restrictions contained in paragraph 2.7 below and warrant that you (and any person on whose behalf you apply) comply with the provisions therein;
  • (i) agree that, in respect of those Shares for which your Application Form has been received and processed and not rejected, acceptance of your Application Form shall be constituted by the Company instructing the Registrar to enter your name on the Register;
  • (j) agree that all applications, acceptances of applications and contracts resulting therefrom under the Initial Offer for Subscription shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and that you submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts and agree that nothing shall limit the right of the Company to bring any action, suit or proceedings arising out of or in connection with any such applications, acceptances of applications and contracts in any other manner permitted by law or in any court of competent jurisdiction;
  • (k) irrevocably authorise the Company, Jefferies and Akur or any other person authorised by any of them, as your agent, to do all things necessary to effect registration of any Shares subscribed by or issued to you into your name and authorise any representatives of the Company and/or Jefferies and/or Akur and/or the Receiving Agent to execute any documents required therefor and to enter your name on the Register;
  • (l) agree to provide the Company with any information which it, Jefferies, Akur or the Receiving Agent may request in connection with your application or to comply with any other relevant legislation (as the same may be amended from time-to-time) including without limitation satisfactory evidence of identity to ensure compliance with the UK Money Laundering Regulations;
  • (m) warrant that, in connection with your application, you have observed the laws of all requisite territories, obtained any requisite governmental or other consents, complied with all requisite formalities and paid any issue, transfer or other taxes due in connection with your application in any territory and that you have not taken any action which will or may result in the Company, Jefferies, Akur or the Receiving Agent acting in breach of the regulatory or legal requirements of any territory in connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription or your application;
  • (n) represent and warrant to the Company that: (i) you are not a U.S. Person, are not located within the United States and are not acquiring the Shares for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person; (ii) you are acquiring the Shares in an offshore transaction meeting the requirements of Regulation S; (iii) you understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred, delivered or

distributed, directly or indirectly, into or within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons; and (iv) you understand and acknowledge that the Company has not registered and will not register as an investment company under the U.S. Investment Company Act;

  • (o) represent and warrant to the Company that if in the future you decide to offer, sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of the Shares, you will do so only: (i) in an offshore transaction complying with the provisions of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act to a person outside the United States and not known by the transferor to be a U.S. Person, by pre-arrangement or otherwise; (ii) within the United States in accordance with Rule 144 of the U.S. Securities Act, if available, and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States; or (iii) to the Company or a subsidiary thereof. You understand and acknowledge that any sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposal made other than in compliance with the above stated restrictions will be subject to the compulsory transfer provisions as provided in the Articles;
  • (p) agree that Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent are acting for the Company in connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription and for no-one else and that they will not treat you as their customer by virtue of such application being accepted or owe you any duties or responsibilities concerning the price of the Shares or concerning the suitability of the Shares for you or be responsible to you for the protections afforded to their customers;
  • (q) warrant that you are:
  • (i) highly knowledgeable and experienced in business and financial matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Shares;
  • (ii) fully understand the risks associated with such investment; and
  • (iii) are able to bear the economic risk of your investment in the Company and are currently able to afford the complete loss of such investment;
  • (r) warrant that you are not subscribing for the Shares using a loan which would not have been given to you or any associate or not given to you on such favourable terms, if you had not been proposing to subscribe for the Shares;
  • (s) warrant that the information contained in the Application Form is true and accurate;
  • (t) agree that if you request that Shares are issued to you on a date other than Initial Admission relating to the Initial Issue and such Shares are not issued on such date that the Company, Jefferies, Akur and their respective agents and the Directors will have no liability to you arising from the issue of such Shares on a different date; and
  • (u) confirm that if you are applying on behalf of someone else you will not, and will procure that none of your affiliates will, circulate, distribute, publish or otherwise issue (or authorise any other person to issue) any document or information in connection with the Initial Issue, or make any announcement or comment (whether in writing or otherwise) which states or implies that it has been issued or approved by or prepared in conjunction with the Company or any person responsible solely or jointly for this Prospectus or any part thereof or involved in the preparation thereof or which contains any untrue statement of material fact or is misleading or which omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statement therein misleading.

2.6 Money laundering

You agree that, in order to ensure compliance with the UK Money Laundering Regulations, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and any other applicable regulations, the Receiving Agent may at its absolute discretion require verification of identity of the subscriber(s) (the "holder(s)") as the applicant lodging an Application Form and further may request from you and you will assist in providing identification of:

  • (a) the owner(s) and/or controller(s) (the "payor") of any bank account not in the name of the holder(s) on which is drawn a payment by way of banker's draft or cheque; or
  • (b) where it appears to the Receiving Agent that a holder or the payor is acting on behalf of some other person or persons.

Any delay or failure to provide the necessary evidence of identity may result in your application being rejected or delays in crediting CREST accounts or in the despatch of documents.

Without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph 2.6, verification of the identity of holders and payors will be required if the value of the Shares applied for, whether in one or more applications considered to be connected, exceeds €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent). If, in such circumstances, you use a building society cheque or banker's draft you should ensure that the bank or building society issuing the payment enters the name, address and account number of the person whose account is being debited on the reverse of the cheque or banker's draft and adds its stamp.

If, in such circumstances, the person whose account is being debited is not a holder you will be required to provide for both the holder and the payor an original or a copy of that person's passport or driving licence certified by a solicitor and an original or certified copy of the following which is no more than three months old, a gas, electricity, water or telephone (not mobile) bill, a recent bank statement or a council tax bill, in their name and showing their current address (which originals will be returned by post at the addressees' risk) together with a signed declaration as to the relationship between the payor and you the holder.

For the purpose of the UK Money Laundering Regulations a person making an application for Shares will not be considered as forming a business relationship with the Company or the Receiving Agent but will be considered as effecting a one-off transaction with either the Company or with the Receiving Agent. Submission of an Application Form with the appropriate remittance will constitute a warranty to each of the Company and the Registrar from the applicant that the UK Money Laundering Regulations will not be breached by the application of such remittance.

The person(s) submitting an application for Shares will ordinarily be considered to be acting as principal in the transaction unless the Receiving Agent determines otherwise, whereupon you may be required to provide the necessary evidence of identity of the underlying beneficial owner(s).

If the amount being subscribed exceeds €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent) you should endeavour to have the declaration contained in Section 5 of the Application Form signed by an appropriate firm as described in that Section. If you cannot have that declaration signed and the amount being subscribed exceeds €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent) then you must provide with the Application Form the identity documentation detailed in Section 6 of the Application Form for each underlying beneficial owner.

If the Application Form is lodged with payment by a regulated financial services firm (being a person or institution) (the "Firm") which is located in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, the Republic of South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the United States, the Firm should provide with the Application Form written confirmation that it has that status and a written assurance that it has obtained and recorded evidence of the identity of the person for whom it acts and that it will on demand make such evidence available to the Company (or any of its agents). If the Firm is not such an organisation, it should contact Computershare Investor Services PLC at Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol BS99 6AH. To confirm the acceptability of any written assurance referred to above, or in any other case, the Applicant should call Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays). The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Initial Offer for Subscription nor give any financial, legal or tax advice.

2.7 Non-United Kingdom investors

If you receive a copy of the Prospectus or an Application Form in any territory other than the United Kingdom you may not treat it as constituting an invitation or offer to you, nor should you, in any event, use an Application Form.

None of the Shares have been or will be registered under the laws of Canada, Japan, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or under the U.S. Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other political subdivision of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or the Republic of South Africa. If you subscribe for Shares pursuant to the Initial Offer for Subscription you will, unless the Company and the Receiving Agent agree otherwise in writing, be deemed to represent and warrant to the Company that you are not a U.S. Person or a resident of Canada, Japan, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or a corporation, partnership or other entity organised under the laws of the United States or Canada (or any political subdivision of either) or Japan or Australia or the Republic of South Africa and that you are not subscribing for such Shares for the account of any U.S. Person or resident of Canada, Japan, Australia or the Republic of South Africa and will not offer, sell, renounce, transfer or deliver, directly or indirectly, any of the Shares in or into the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or the Republic of South Africa or to any U.S. Person or any person resident in Canada, Japan, Australia or the Republic of South Africa. No Application Form will be accepted if it shows the applicant, payor or a holder having an address in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or the Republic of South Africa.

2.8 The Data Protection Act 1998

Pursuant to The Data Protection Act 1998 (the "DP Act") the Company and/or the Registrar, may hold personal data (as defined in the DP Act) relating to past and present shareholders. Such personal data held is used by the Registrar to maintain the Register and mailing lists and this may include sharing such data with third parties in one or more of the countries mentioned below when: (a) effecting the payment of dividends and other distributions to Shareholders; and (b) filing returns of Shareholders and their respective transactions in Shares with statutory bodies and regulatory authorities. Personal data may be retained on record for a period exceeding six years after it is no longer used.

The countries referred to in the paragraph immediately above include, but need not be limited to, those in the European Economic Area and any of their respective dependent territories overseas, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.

By becoming registered as a holder of Shares a person becomes a data subject (as defined in the DP Act) and is deemed to have consented to the processing by the Company or the Registrar of any personal data relating to them in the manner described above.

2.9 Miscellaneous

To the extent permitted by law, all representations, warranties and conditions, express or implied and whether statutory or otherwise (including, without limitation, pre-contractual representations but excluding any fraudulent representations), are expressly excluded in relation to the Shares and the Initial Offer for Subscription.

The rights and remedies of the Company, Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent under these Terms and Conditions of Application are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to any of them and the exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.

The Company reserves the right to extend the closing time and/or date of the Initial Offer for Subscription from 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. In that event, the new closing time and/or date will be notified to applicants through a Regulatory Information Service.

The Company may terminate the Initial Offer for Subscription in its absolute discretion at any time prior to Initial Admission. If such right is exercised, the Initial Offer for Subscription will lapse and any monies will be returned as indicated without interest at the risk of the persons entitled thereto.

You agree that Jefferies, Akur and the Receiving Agent are acting for the Company in connection with the Initial Issue and for no-one else, and that neither Jefferies nor Akur nor the Receiving Agent will treat you as its customer by virtue of such application being accepted or owe you any duties concerning the price of the Shares or concerning the suitability of the Shares for you or otherwise in relation to the Initial Issue or for providing the protections afforded to their customers.

Save where the context requires otherwise, terms used in these Terms and Conditions of Application bear the same meaning as where used in the Prospectus.

NOTES ON HOW TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM

Applications should be returned to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, so as to be received by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 16 March 2016.

HELP DESK: If you have a query concerning completion of this Application Form please call Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 1143 from within the UK or on +44 (0)370 707 1143. Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays). The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Initial Offer for Subscription nor give any financial, legal or tax advice.

1. APPLICATION

Fill in (in figures) in Box 1 the amount of money being subscribed for Shares (being the Initial Issue Price of 107.5 pence per Share multiplied by the number of Shares you wish to apply for). The minimum subscription is for 1,000 Shares and thereafter in multiples of 100 Shares. Financial intermediaries who are investing on behalf of clients should make separate applications or, if making a single application for more than one client, provide details of all clients in respect of whom application is made in order to benefit most favourably from any scaling back should this be required or to benefit most favourably from any commission arrangements.

2. HOLDER DETAILS

Fill in (in block capitals) the full name and address of each holder. Applications may only be made by persons aged 18 or over. In the case of joint holders only the first named may bear a designation reference and the address given for the first named will be entered as the registered address for the holding on the share register and used for all future correspondence. A maximum of four joint holders is permitted. All holders named must sign the Application Form at Section 3.

2B. CREST

If you wish your Shares to be deposited in a CREST Account in the name of the holders given in Section 2A enter in Section 2B the details of that CREST Account. Where it is requested that Shares be deposited into a CREST Account please note that payment for such Shares must be made prior to the day such Shares might be allotted and issued. It is not possible for an applicant to request that Shares be deposited in their CREST Account on an against payment basis. Any Application Form received containing such a request will be rejected.

3. SIGNATURE

All holders named in Section 2A must sign Section 3 and insert the date. The Application Form may be signed by another person on behalf of each holder if that person is duly authorised to do so under a power of attorney. The power of attorney (or a copy duly certified by a solicitor or a bank) must be enclosed for inspection (which originals will be returned by post at the addressee's risk). A corporation should sign under the hand of a duly authorised official whose representative capacity should be stated and a copy of a notice issued by the corporation authorising such person to sign should accompany the Application Form.

4. SETTLEMENT

4.1 Cheque/Banker's Draft

Payments must be made by cheque or banker's draft in Sterling drawn on a branch in the United Kingdom of a bank or building society which is either a member of the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company Limited or the CHAPS Clearing Company Limited or which has arranged for its cheques or banker's drafts to be cleared through the facilities provided for members of any of these companies.

Such cheques or bankers' drafts must bear the appropriate sort code in the top right hand corner.

Cheques, which must be drawn on the personal account of the individual investor where they have a sole or joint title to the funds, should be made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property plc – Offer for Subscription A/C". Third party cheques may not be accepted with the exception of building society cheques or bankers' drafts where the building society or bank has confirmed the name of the account holder by stamping and endorsing the cheque/banker's draft to such effect. The account name should be the same as that shown on the application.

4.2 Electronic Bank Transfers

For applicants sending subscription monies by electronic bank transfer, (CHAPS) payment must be made for value by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by email at [email protected] for full bank details or telephone the Shareholder Helpline for further information. Computershare will then provide you with a unique reference number which must be used when sending payment.

4.3 CREST Settlement

The Company will apply for the Shares issued pursuant to the Initial Offer for Subscription in uncertificated form to be enabled for CREST transfer and settlement with effect from Initial Admission (the "Settlement Date"). Accordingly, settlement of transactions in the Shares will normally take place within the CREST system.

The Application Form in the Appendix contains details of the information which the Company's registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC ("Computershare"), will require from you in order to settle your application within CREST, if you so choose. If you do not provide any CREST details or if you provide insufficient CREST details for Computershare to match to your CREST account, Computershare will deliver your Shares in certificated form provided payment has been made in terms satisfactory to the Company.

The right is reserved to issue your Shares in certificated form should the Company, having consulted with Computershare, consider this to be necessary or desirable. This right is only likely to be exercised in the event of any interruption, failure or breakdown of CREST or any part of CREST or on the part of the facilities and/or system operated by Computershare in connection with CREST.

The person named for registration purposes in your Application Form (which term shall include the holder of the relevant CREST account) must be: (a) the person procured by you to subscribe for or acquire the relevant Shares; or (b) yourself; or (c) a nominee of any such person or yourself, as the case may be. Neither Computershare nor the Company will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement. Computershare, on behalf of the Company, will input a DVP instruction into the CREST system according to the booking instructions provided by you in your Application Form. The input returned by you or your settlement agent/custodian of a matching or acceptance instruction to our CREST input will then allow the delivery of your Shares to your CREST account against payment of the Initial Issue Price per Share through the CREST system upon the Settlement Date.

By returning the Application Form you agree that you will do all things necessary to ensure that you or your settlement agent/custodian's CREST account allows for the delivery and acceptance of Shares to be made prior to 8.00 a.m. on 21 March 2016 against payment of the Initial Issue Price per Share. Failure by you to do so will result in you being charged interest at a rate equal to the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for seven day deposits in sterling plus 2 per cent. per annum.

To ensure that you fulfil this requirement it is essential that you or your settlement agent/custodian follow the CREST matching criteria set out below:

Trade Date: 17 March 2016
Settlement Date: 21 March 2016
Company: Empiric Student Property Plc
Security Description: Shares of £0.01 each
SEDOL: BLWDVR7
ISIN: GB00BLWDVR75

Should you wish to settle DVP, you will need to match your instructions to Computershare's Participant account 8RA22 by no later than 1.00 p.m. on 17 March 2016.

You must also ensure that you or your settlement agent/custodian has a sufficient "debit cap" within the CREST system to facilitate settlement in addition to your/its own daily trading and settlement requirements.

In the event of late CREST settlement, the Company, after having consulted with Computershare, reserves the right to deliver Shares outside CREST in certificated form provided payment has been made in terms satisfactory to the Company and all other conditions in relation to the Initial Offer for Subscription have been satisfied.

5. RELIABLE INTRODUCER DECLARATION

Applications will be subject to the UK's verification of identity requirements. This will involve you providing the verification of identity documents listed in Section 6 of the Application Form UNLESS you can have the declaration provided at Section 5 of the Application Form given and signed by a firm acceptable to the Receiving Agent. In order to ensure your application is processed timely and efficiently all applicants are strongly advised to have the declaration provided in Section 5 of the Application Form completed and signed by a suitable firm.

6. IDENTITY INFORMATION

Applicants need only consider Section 6 of the Application Form if the declaration in Section 5 cannot be completed. Notwithstanding that the declaration in Section 5 has been completed and signed the Receiving Agent reserves the right to request of you the identity documents listed in Section 6 and/or to seek verification of identity of each holder and payor (if necessary) from you or their bankers or from another reputable institution, agency or professional adviser in the applicable country of residence. If satisfactory evidence of identity has not been obtained within a reasonable time your application might be rejected or revoked. Where certified copies of documents are provided such copy documents should be certified by a senior signatory of a firm which is either a governmental approved bank, stockbroker or investment firm, financial services firm or an established law firm or accountancy firm which is itself subject to regulation in the conduct of its business in its own country of operation and the name of the firm should be clearly identified on each document certified.

7. CONTACT DETAILS

To ensure the efficient and timely processing of your Application Form, please provide contact details of a person the Receiving Agent may contact with all enquiries concerning your application. Ordinarily this contact person should be the person signing in Section 3 on behalf of the first named holder. If no details are provided here but a regulated person is identified in Section 5, the Receiving Agent will contact the regulated person. If no details are entered here and no regulated person is named in Section 5 and the Receiving Agent requires further information, any delay in obtaining that additional information may result in your application being rejected or revoked.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DELIVERY OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS – Completed Application Forms should be returned, by post or by hand (during normal business hours only), to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC so as to be received by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 16 March 2016, together in each case with payment in full in respect of the application. If you post your Application Form, you are recommended to use first class post and to allow at least two days for delivery. Application Forms received after this date may be returned.

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APPENDIX – APPLICATION FORM

Please send this completed form by post to Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or by hand (during normal business hours only) to the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE so as to be received by no later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) on 16 March 2016.

The Directors may, with the prior approval of Jefferies, alter such date and thereby shorten or lengthen the offer period. In the event that the offer period is altered, the Company will notify investors of such change through a Regulatory Information Service.

Important: Before completing this form, you should read the prospectus dated 1 March 2016 (the "Prospectus") and the Terms and Conditions of the Initial Offer for Subscription set out in Part 8 of the Securities Note forming part of the Prospectus and the accompanying notes to this form.

To: Empiric Student Property Plc and the Receiving Agent

Box 1 (applications must be for a minimum of 1,000 Shares and in multiples of 100 Shares thereafter)

£

1. APPLICATION

I/We the person(s) detailed in Section 2A below offer to subscribe the amount shown in Box 1 for Shares subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Initial Offer for Subscription set out in the Securities Note forming part of the Prospectus of the Company dated 1 March 2016 and subject to the articles of association of the Company in force from time-to-time.

2A. DETAILS OF HOLDER(S) IN WHOSE NAME(S) SHARES WILL BE ISSUED

(BLOCK CAPITALS)

1:
Mr, Mrs, Ms or Title:
Forenames (in full):
Surname/Company name:
Address (in full):
Postcode:
Designation (if any):
2: Mr, Mrs, Ms or Title: Forenames (in full):
Surname/Company name:
Address (in full):
Postcode:
Designation (if any):
3: Mr, Mrs, Ms or Title: Forenames (in full):
Surname/Company name:
Address (in full):
Postcode:
Designation (if any):
4: Mr, Mrs, Ms or Title: Forenames (in full):
Surname/Company name:
Address (in full):
Postcode:
Designation (if any):

2B. CREST ACCOUNT DETAILS INTO WHICH SHARES ARE TO BE DEPOSITED (IF APPLICABLE)

Only complete this Section if Shares allotted are to be deposited in a CREST Account which must be in the same name as the holder(s) given in Section 2A.

(BLOCK CAPITALS)

CREST Participant ID:
CREST Member Account ID:

3. SIGNATURE(S): ALL HOLDERS MUST SIGN

By completing the signature/execution boxes below you are deemed to have read the Prospectus and agreed to the terms and conditions in Part 8 of the Securities Note forming part of the Prospectus (Terms and Conditions under the Initial Offer for Subscription) and to have given the warranties, representations and undertakings set out therein.

First Applicant Signature: Date
Second Applicant Signature: Date
Third Applicant Signature: Date
Fourth Applicant Signature: Date

Execution by a Company

Executed by (Name of
Company):
Date
Name of Director: Signature: Date
Name of Director/Secretary: Signature: Date
If you are affixing a company seal, please mark a cross Affix Company Seal here:

4. SETTLEMENT

Please tick the relevant box confirming your method of payment.

(a) Cheque/Banker's Draft

If you are subscribing for Shares and paying by cheque or banker's draft, pin or staple to this form your cheque or banker's draft for the exact amount shown in Box 1 (being the Initial Issue Price of 107.5 pence per Share multiplied by the number of Shares you wish to subscribe for) made payable to "Computershare Investor Services PLC re: Empiric Student Property plc – Offer for Subscription A/C". Cheques and bankers' payments must be in sterling and drawn on an account at a branch of a clearing bank in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and must bear a United Kingdom bank sort code number in the top right hand corner.

(b) Electronic Bank Transfer

For applicants sending subscription monies by electronic bank transfer (CHAPS), payment must be made for value by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016. Please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC by email at [email protected] for full bank details or telephone the Shareholder Helpline for further information. Computershare will then provide you with a unique reference number which must be used when sending payment. Please enter below the sort code of the bank and branch you will be instructing to make such payment for value by 11.00 a.m. on 16 March 2016 together with the name and number of the account to be debited with such payment and the branch contact details.

Sort Code: Account name:
Account number: Contact name at branch and telephone
number:

(c) CREST Settlement

If you so choose to settle your commitment within CREST, that is DVP, you or your settlement agent/custodian's CREST account must allow for the delivery and acceptance of Shares to be made against payment of the Initial Issue Price per Share, following the CREST matching criteria set out below:

Trade Date: 17 March 2016
Settlement Date: 21 March 2016
Company: Empiric Student Property plc
Security Description: Shares of £0.01 each
SEDOL: BLWDVR7
ISIN: GB00BLWDVR75

Should you wish to settle DVP, you will need to match your instructions to Computershare's Participant account 8RA22 by no later than 1.00 p.m. on 17 March 2016.

You must also ensure that you or your settlement agent/custodian has a sufficient "debit cap" within the CREST system to facilitate settlement in addition to your/its own daily trading and settlement requirements.

5. RELIABLE INTRODUCER DECLARATION

Completion and signing of this declaration by a suitable person or institution may avoid presentation being requested of the identity documents detailed in Section 6 of this form.

The declaration below may only be signed by a person or institution (such as a governmental approved bank, stockbroker or investment firm, financial services firm or an established law firm or accountancy firm) (the "firm") which is itself subject in its own country to operation of "know your customer" and anti-money laundering regulations no less stringent than those which prevail in the United Kingdom.

DECLARATION:

To the Company and the Receiving Agent

With reference to the holder(s) detailed in Section 2A, all persons signing at Section 3 and the payor identified in Section 6 if not also a holder (collectively the "subjects") WE HEREBY DECLARE:

  • we operate in the United Kingdom, or in a country where money laundering regulations under the laws of that country are, to the best of our knowledge, no less stringent than those which prevail in the United Kingdom and our firm is subject to such regulations;
  • we are regulated in the conduct of our business and in the prevention of money laundering by the regulatory authority identified below;
  • each of the subjects is known to us in a business capacity and we hold valid identity documentation on each of them and we undertake to immediately provide to you copies thereof on demand;
  • we confirm the accuracy of the names and residential business address(es) of the holder(s) given at Section 2A and if a CREST Account is cited at Section 2B that the owner thereof is named in Section 2A;

  • having regard to all local money laundering regulations we are, after enquiry, satisfied as to the source and legitimacy of the monies being used to subscribe for the Shares mentioned; and

  • where the payor and holder(s) are different persons we are satisfied as to the relationship between them and reason for the payor being different to the holder(s).

The above information is given in strict confidence for your own use only and without any guarantee, responsibility or liability on the part of this firm or its officials.

Signed: Name: Position:
Name of regulatory authority: Firm's licence number:
Website address or telephone number of regulatory authority:
STAMP of firm, giving full name and business address:

6. IDENTITY INFORMATION

If the declaration in Section 5 cannot be signed and the value of your application is greater than €15,000 (or the Sterling equivalent), please enclose with that Application Form the documents mentioned below, as appropriate. Please also tick the relevant box to indicate which documents you have enclosed, all of which will be returned by the Receiving Agent to the first named Applicant.

In accordance with internationally recognised standards for the prevention of money laundering, the documents and information set out below must be provided:

A. For each holder being an individual enclose:

  • (1) an original or a certified clear photocopy of one of the following identification documents which bear both a photograph and the signature of the person: current passport – Government or Armed Forces identity card – driving licence; and
  • (2) an original or certified copies of at least two of the following documents no more than 3 months old which purport to confirm that the address given in Section 2A is that person's residential address: a recent gas, electricity, water or telephone (not mobile) bill – a recent bank statement – a council rates bill – or similar document issued by a recognised authority; and
  • (3) If none of the above documents show their date and place of birth, enclose a note of such information; and

(4) a list of the names and residential addresses of each director of the holder company; and

bankers from which the Receiving Agent may request a

(5) for each director provide documents and information similar to that mentioned in A above; and

(4) details of the name and address of their personal

(1) a certified copy of the certificate of incorporation of the

(2) the name and address of the holder company's principal

(3) a statement as to the nature of the holder company's

reference, if necessary.

holder company; and

reference, if necessary; and

business, signed by a director; and

bankers from which the Receiving Agent may request a

B. For each holder being a company (a "holder company") enclose:

  • (6) a copy of the authorised signatory list for the holder company; and
  • (7) a list of the names and residential/registered address of each ultimate beneficial owner interested in more than 5 per cent. of the issued share capital of the holder company and, where a person is named, also complete C below and, if another company is named (hereinafter a "beneficiary company"), also complete D below. If the beneficial owner(s) named do not directly own the holder company but do so indirectly via nominee(s) or intermediary entities, provide details of the relationship between the beneficial owner(s) and the holder company.
  • C. For each person named in B(7) as a beneficial owner of a holder company enclose for each such person documents and information similar to that mentioned in A(1) to (4).
  • D. For each beneficiary company named in B(7) as a beneficial owner of a holder company enclose:
  • (1) a certified copy of the certificate of incorporation of that beneficiary company; and
  • (2) a statement as to the nature of that beneficiary company's business signed by a director; and
  • (3) the name and address of that beneficiary company's principal bankers from which the Receiving Agent may request a reference, if necessary; and
  • (4) a list of the names and residential/registered address of each beneficial owner owning more than 5 per cent. of the issued share capital of that beneficiary company.

  • E. If the payor is not a holder and is not a bank providing its own cheque or banker's payment on the reverse of which is shown details of the account being debited with such payment (see note 5 on how to complete this form) enclose:

  • (1) if the payor is a person, for that person the documents mentioned in A(1) to (4); or
  • (2) if the payor is a company, for that company the documents mentioned in B(1) to (7); and
  • (3) an explanation of the relationship between the payor and the holder(s).

The Receiving Agent reserves the right to ask for additional documents and information.

7. CONTACT DETAILS

To ensure the efficient and timely processing of this application please enter below the contact details of a person the Receiving Agent may contact with all enquiries concerning this application. Ordinarily this contact person should be the person signing in Section 3 on behalf of the first named holder. If no details are provided here but a regulated person is identified in Section 5, the Receiving Agent will contact the regulated person. If no details are entered here and no regulated person is named in Section 5 and the Receiving Agent requires further information, any delay in obtaining that additional information may result in your application being rejected or revoked.

Contact name: E-mail address:
Contact address:
Postcode:
Telephone No: Fax No:

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PART 9

DEFINITIONS AND GLOSSARY

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

Administrator FIM Capital Limited, in its capacity as the Company's
administrator and company secretary
Admission admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main
Market of Shares becoming effective in accordance with the
LSE Admission Standards and admission of Shares to the
premium listing segment of the Official List becoming
effective in accordance with the Listing Rules
AIF an alternative investment fund
AIFM an alternative investment fund manager
AIFM Directive the European Union's Alternative Investment Fund Managers
directive (No. 2071/61/EU) and all legislation made pursuant
thereto,
including,
where
applicable,
the
applicable
implementing legislation and regulations in each member
state of the European Union
Akur Akur Limited
Application Form the application form attached to this Securities Note for use in
connection with the Initial Offer for Subscription
Articles the articles of association of the Company
Basic Entitlements the entitlements of Qualifying Shareholders to apply for
Shares pursuant to the Initial Open Offer as set out in Part 7
of this Securities Note
Business Day any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day,
Good Friday or a bank holiday in the City of London
certificated or in certificated
form
not in uncertificated form
Companies Act or Act the Companies Act 2006 and any statutory modification or re
enactment thereof for the time being in force
Company Empiric Student Property Plc
CREST Manual the compendium of documents entitled "CREST Manual"
issued by Euroclear from time-to-time
CREST the computerised settlement system operated by Euroclear
which facilitates the transfer of title to shares in uncertificated
form
CTA 2010 Corporation Tax Act 2010 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
Depositary Kingfisher Property Partnerships Limited
Directors or Board the board of directors of the Company
Disclosure and
Transparency Rules
the disclosure and transparency rules made by the Financial
Conduct Authority under Section 73A of FSMA
EPRA the European Public Real Estate Association
ERISA U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1976, as
amended
EU the European Union
Euroclear Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, being the operator of CREST
Excess Application Facility the arrangement pursuant to which Qualifying Shareholders
may apply for additional Shares in excess of their Basic
Entitlement in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the Initial Open Offer
Excess CREST Open
Offer Entitlement
in respect of each Qualifying CREST Shareholder, the
entitlement (in addition to his Basic Entitlement) pursuant to
the Initial Open Offer to apply for Shares pursuant to the
Excess Application Facility, which is conditional on him taking
up his Basic Entitlement in full
Excluded Shareholders subject to certain exceptions, Shareholders who have a
registered address in, who are incorporated in, registered in
or otherwise resident or located in any Excluded Territory
Excluded Territory Australia, Canada, Japan and the Republic of South Africa
Executive Directors the executive directors of the Company being at the date of
this Securities Note, Paul Hadaway, Timothy Attlee and
Michael Enright
FCA the Financial Conduct Authority
First Share Issuance Programme the first share issuance programme established by the
Company as described in the prospectus dated 30 October
2014
Final Date 28 February 2017 or such earlier date on which the Share
Issuance Programme is terminated
FSMA the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and any
statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time
being in force
Further Placing a placing (other than the Initial Placing) which is made
pursuant to a Placing-Only Issue
Future Securities Note a securities note to be issued in the future by the Company in
respect of each issue, if any, of Shares (other than pursuant
to the Initial Issue (not being a Placing-Only Issue)) made
pursuant to the Registration Document and subject to
separate approval by the FCA
Future Summary a summary to be issued in the future by the Company in
respect of each issue, if any, of Shares (other than pursuant
to the Initial Issue (not being a Placing-Only Issue)) made
pursuant to the Registration Document and subject to
separate approval by the FCA
General Meeting the general meeting of the Company to be held at 1.00 p.m.
on 17 March 2016
Group the Company and the other companies in its group for the
purposes of Section 606 of CTA 2010
Gross Asset Value the aggregate value of the total assets of the Company as
determined in accordance with the accounting principles
adopted by the Company from time-to-time
Gross Proceeds the gross proceeds of the Initial Issue;
HEI higher education institute
HMRC Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by
the European Union
Initial Admission Admission pursuant to the Initial Issue
Initial Issue together, the Initial Placing, Initial Open Offer and Initial Offer
for Subscription
Initial Issue Price 107.5 pence per Share
Initial Offer for Subscription the first offer for subscription of Shares pursuant to the Share
Issuance Programme (and forming part of the Initial Issue)
which is expected to close on or around 16 March 2016
Initial Open Offer the first conditional offer to Qualifying Shareholders pursuant
to the Share Issuance Programme (and forming part of the
Initial Issue) which is expected to close on 16 March 2016,
constituting an invitation to apply for Shares, on the terms and
subject to the conditions set out in this Securities Note and, in
the case of Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders only, the
Open Offer Application Form
Initial Placing the first placing of Shares pursuant to the Share Issuance
Programme (and forming part of the Initial Issue) which is
expected to close on 16 March 2016
interest in the Company includes, without limitation, an interest in a Distribution made
or to be made by the Company
Intermediaries the entities listed in paragraph 7 of Part 4 of this Securities
Note together with any other intermediary (if any) that is
appointed by Jefferies to offer the Shares to retail investors
after the date of this Securities Note and reference to
"Intermediary" shall be construed accordingly
Intermediaries Booklet the booklet entitled "Empiric Student Property Plc Share
Offer: Information for Intermediaries" and containing, among
other things, the Intermediaries Terms and Conditions
Intermediaries Terms and
Conditions
the terms and conditions agreed between Jefferies and the
Intermediaries in relation to the Initial Offer for Subscription
and as contained in the Intermediaries Booklet
IPO the admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange's
Main Market of the share capital of the Company and
admission of Shares to the premium listing segment of the
Official List on 30 June 2014
ISA UK individual savings account
ISIN International Securities Identification Number
Issue Price in the case of the Initial Issue, the Initial Issue Price, and in
the case of any subsequent issuance under the Share
Issuance Programme, the applicable Share Issuance
Programme Price
ITA the Income Tax Act 2007 and any statutory modification or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force
Jefferies Jefferies International Limited
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
Listing Rules the listing rules made by the UK Listing Authority
made
pursuant to Part VI of FSMA
London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange plc
Main Market the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed
securities
Maximum Excess
Application Number
the maximum number of Shares to be issued under the
Excess Application Facility
member account ID the identification code or number attached to any member
account in CREST
Net Asset Value or NAV the value, as at any date, of the assets of the Company after
deduction of all liabilities determined in accordance with the
accounting
policies
adopted
by
the
Company
from
time-to-time
Net Asset Value per
Share or NAV per Share
at any time the Net Asset Value attributable to the Shares
divided by the number of Shares in issue (other than Shares
held in treasury) at the date of calculation
Net Proceeds the aggregate net cash proceeds of the Initial Issue (after
deduction of all expenses and commissions relating to the
Issue and payable by the Company);
Non-PID Dividend a distribution by the Company which is not a PID
Official List the Official List of the UK Listing Authority
Open Offer Application Form the personalised application form on which Qualifying
Non-CREST Shareholders may apply for Shares under the
Initial Open Offer and the Excess Application Facility
Overseas Persons a potential investor who is not resident in, or who is not a
citizen of, the UK
person includes a body of persons, corporate or unincorporated,
wherever domiciled
PID or Property Income
Distribution
the distribution by the Company of the profits of the
Company's Property Rental Business by way of a dividend in
cash or the issue of share capital in lieu of a cash dividend in
accordance with Section 530 of the CTA 2010
Placee a person who subscribes for Shares pursuant to the Initial
Placing or any Further Placing
Placing-Only Issue an issue under the Share Issuance Programme which
comprises only a placing and does not include an offer for
subscription or an open offer component
Property Portfolio the current property portfolio as at the date of the Prospectus
Property Rental Business the qualifying property rental business in the UK and
elsewhere of UK resident companies within a REIT and
non-UK resident companies within a REIT with a UK
qualifying property rental business
Prospectus the prospectus prepared in accordance with the Prospectus
Rules comprising this Securities Note, the Registration
Document and the Summary, each dated 1 March 2016
Prospectus Directive the EU Prospectus Directive 2003/71/EC
Prospectus Rules the prospectus rules made by the Financial Conduct Authority
under Section 73A of FSMA
Qualifying CREST Shareholder an existing Qualifying Shareholder holding Shares in
uncertificated form and Qualifying CREST Shareholders
shall be construed accordingly
Qualifying Non-CREST
Shareholder
an existing Qualifying Shareholder holding Shares in
certificated form and Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders
shall be construed accordingly
Qualifying Shareholders holders of Shares on the register of members of the Company
at the Record Date with the exclusion of Excluded
Shareholders
Receiving Agent Computershare Investor Services PLC, in its capacity as the
Company's receiving agent
Record Date 5.00 p.m. on 26 February 2016
Register the register of members of the Company
Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC, in its capacity as the
Company's registrar
Registration Document the registration document dated 1 March 2016 issued by the
Company in respect of the Share Issuance Programme
Regulation S Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act
Regulatory Information Service a service authorised by the UKLA to release regulatory
announcements to the London Stock Exchange
REIT or Real Estate
Investment Trust
a Real Estate Investment Trust as defined in Part 12 of the
CTA 2010
Relevant Member State a member state of the European Economic Area which has
implemented the Prospectus Directive
Revcap Revcap Advisors Limited
RICS Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
SDLT stamp duty land tax
SDRT stamp duty reserve tax
Securities Note this securities note issued by the Company in connection with
the Initial Issue and any Further Placing and approved by the
FCA
Shareholder a holder of Shares
Shares ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company
Share Issuance Programme the programme under which the Company intends to issue
Shares in Tranches on the terms set out in the Summary and
this Securities Note (and any Future Summary and Future
Securities Note)
Share Issuance
Programme Placing
Agreement
the agreement relating to the Share Issuance Programme
and the issues thereunder (including the Initial Issue) dated
1 March
2016 entered into between the Company, the
Executive Directors, Jefferies and Akur, further details of
which are set out in paragraph
9.1
of Part 8 of the
Registration Document
Share Issuance
Programme Price
in respect of any future issue under the Share Issuance
Programme, the applicable price at which the relevant Shares
will be issued as determined in accordance with the
Securities Note or any Future Securities Note
SIPP a self-invested personal pension as defined in Regulation 3 of
the UK Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on
Discretion to Approve) (Permitted Investments) Regulations
2001
SSAS a small self-administered scheme as defined in Regulation 2
of the UK Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on
Discretion to Approve) (Small Self-Administered Schemes)
Regulations 1991
Sterling or £ the lawful currency of the United Kingdom
Substantial Shareholder any person whose interest in the Company, whether legal or
beneficial, direct or indirect, may cause the Company to be
liable to pay tax under Section 551 of CTA 2010 (as such
legislation may be modified, supplemented or replaced from
time to time) on or in connection with the making of a
Distribution to or in respect of such person including, at the
date of adoption of the Articles, any holder of excessive rights
as defined in Section 553 of CTA 2010
Summary the summary dated 1 March 2016 issued by the Company in
respect of Shares made available pursuant to the Initial Issue
and any Further Placing
Takeover Code the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Terms and Conditions of
Application
the terms and conditions of application set out in Part 8 of this
Securities Note in connection with the Initial Offer for
Subscription
Tranches each a Tranche a tranche of Shares issued under the Share Issuance
Programme (including the Initial Issue and any Further
Placing)
UK Listing Authority or UKLA the FCA acting in its capacity as the competent authority for
the purposes of Part VI of FSMA
UK Money Laundering
Regulations
the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2007, as amended
United Kingdom or UK the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
U.S. Code U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
U.S. Exchange Act U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
U.S. Investment Company Act U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
U.S. Person any person who is a U.S. person within the meaning of
Regulation S adopted under the U.S. Securities Act
U.S. Securities Act U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended

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