TIDMMLVN
RNS Number : 1211R
Malvern International PLC
25 June 2020
This announcement contains information which prior to its
disclosure was inside information for the purposes of the Market
Abuse Regulation .
25 June 2020
Malvern International plc
("Malvern", the "Company", or the "Group")
Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise approximately GBP1.25
million
Board Changes
Malvern (AIM: MLVN), the global learning and skills development
partner, today announces that the Company is carrying out an equity
fundraising to raise gross proceeds of approximately GBP1.25
million by way of a placing to raise up to GBP1.15 million and a
subscription to raise approximately GBP0.1 million in each case at
a price of 0.15 pence per share.
Fundraising Highlights
-- Fundraising by way of a Placing and a Subscription to raise
approximately GBP1.25 million through the issue of an aggregate of
approximately 833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue
Price.
-- Placing to raise approximately GBP1.15 million through the
issue of approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue
Price.
-- Subscription to raise to approximately GBP0.1 million through
the issue of 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price.
-- The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used to provide
the Company with additional working capital and strengthen the
Company's balance sheet. The Directors believe that the net
proceeds of the Fundraising should provide sufficient liquidity and
flexibility to allow the Company to manage through the period of
expected disruption caused by COVID-19.
-- The Fundraising Shares will represent approximately 69 per
cent. of the Company's Enlarged Issued Ordinary Share Capital.
-- Appendix to this Announcement (which forms part of this
Announcement) contains the definitions used in this
Announcement.
Other Highlights
-- The Company has agreed a restructuring of its existing debt
with Boost & Co. which provides for a two year capital
repayment holiday and interest free period subject to performance
conditions.
-- The Company believes trading will be interrupted for some
time and is working on the assumption that it will not be until
early 2021 that the level of business returns to normal levels.
-- Subject to and with effect from Admission, Richard Mace, will
be appointed as the new CEO of the Company
-- GBP169,586 amounts due to creditors expected to be converted
into 113,057,613 New Ordinary Shares.
Enquiries:
Malvern International plc www.malverninternational.com
Mark Elliott (Non-Executive Chairman) Via Communications Portfolio
WH Ireland Limited (Nominated Adviser www.whirelandcb.com
and Broker)
Mike Coe / Chris Savidge (Corporate
Finance) +44 (0) 207 220 1666
Jasper Berry (Corporate Broking) +44 (0) 207 220 1666
Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise up to GBP1.25
million
1. Introduction
The Company is pleased to announce the terms of a fundraising to
raise GBP1.25 million (before expenses) through a placing and
subscription with existing and new investors through the issue of
approximately 833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares at a price of 0.15
pence per Fundraising Share.
The Placing, which is being conducted by WH Ireland, comprises
the placing of approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at the
Issue Price. The Subscription comprises approximately 66,666,667
New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. The Placing and the
Subscription are conditional only upon, compliance by the Company
in all material respects of its obligations under the Placing
Agreement and the occurrence of Admission.
The Issue Price of 0.15 pence per New Ordinary Share represents
a discount of 61 per cent. against the mid-market price of
approximately 0.38 pence per share at which the Ordinary Shares
were quoted on AIM as at close of trading on 19 May 2020, the last
trading day prior to announcement of the Original Fundraising.
2. Background to and reasons for the Fundraising
On 19 March 2020, the Company announced that due to UK
Government restrictions its UK schools would be closed with effect
from 20 March 2020 and, on 6 April 2020, the Company announced that
its school in Singapore would be closed with effect from 7 April
2020 in accordance with Singapore Government guidelines.
The schools in both the UK and Singapore remain physically
closed and as yet there is no certainty as to when they will open.
The closure of the schools has had a significant impact on revenues
and cash inflows. While the Company has taken steps to reduce its
cash outflows including all staff taking pay cuts, it nevertheless
announced on 29 April 2020 that there was considerable uncertainty
as to the Company's prospects and that it anticipated that its
existing working capital facilities would be exhausted by the end
of May.
On May 2020 the Company announced a fundraising (the "Original
Fundraising") for which the necessary authorities were granted by
shareholders at a general meeting held on 8 June 2020. However the
conditions to the Placing Agreement under which the Original
Fundraising was conducted were not satisfied and that fundraising
was aborted.
Following the general meeting, discussions have continued
between the Board and various stakeholders with a view to securing
funding to allow the Company to continue to trade. This has
resulted in the Fundraising.
3. Details of the Fundraising
Details of the Placing and Subscription
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to the Placing
becoming wholly unconditional, the Company will place a total of
833,333,334 New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Placing raising in
aggregate approximately GBP1.15 million (before expenses). The
Placing has been conditionally placed by WH Ireland, as agent for
the Company with institutional and other investors.
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to the
Subscription becoming wholly unconditional, the Company will issue
approximately 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the
Subscription raising up to approximately
GBP0.1 million (before expenses).
The Placing is conditional on the Subscription monies being
received. The Placing and the Subscription are also conditional
only upon compliance by the Company in all material respects of its
obligations under the Placing Agreement, and the occurrence of
Admission.
Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, WH Ireland, as
agent for the Company, has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours
to procure subscribers for the New Ordinary Shares at the Placing
Price. The Placing is not underwritten.
The Placing Agreement contains warranties from the Company in
favour of WH Ireland in relation to, inter alia, the accuracy of
the information in this announcement and other matters relating to
the Group and its business. In addition, the Company has agreed to
indemnify WH Ireland in relation to certain liabilities it may
incur in respect of the Placing. WH Ireland has the right to
terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances prior to
Admission, in particular, in the event of a material breach of the
warranties given to WH Ireland in the Placing Agreement, the
failure of the Company to comply in any material respect with its
obligations under the Placing Agreement, the occurrence of a force
majeure event or a material adverse change affecting the condition,
or the earnings or business affairs or prospects of the Group as a
whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business.
The Fundraising Shares will be issued free of all liens, charges
and encumbrances and will, when issued, be fully paid, and rank
pari passu in all respects with the Existing Ordinary Shares,
including the right to receive dividends and other distributions
declared, paid or made after the date of their issue.
Effect of the Fundraising
Upon Admission, and assuming full take-up, the Enlarged Issued
Ordinary Share Capital is expected to be 1,204,967,240 Ordinary
Shares. On this basis, the Fundraising Shares will represent
approximately 69 per cent. of the Company's Enlarged Issued
Ordinary Share Capital.
Settlement and dealings
Application has been made for the Existing Ordinary Share
Capital (following the subdivision approved by shareholders at the
general meeting held on 8 June 2020), the Fundraising Shares and
the Creditor Conversion Shares (see paragraph 8 below) to be
admitted to trading on AIM and, Admission is expected to become
effective at 8.00 a.m. on 30 June 2020.
The Fundraising Shares and the Creditor Conversion Shares will
rank, pari passu, in all respects with the New Ordinary Shares,
including the right to receive all dividends and other
distributions declared on or after the date on which they are
issued. It is expected that CREST accounts will be credited with
entitlements to the Fundraising Shares and the Creditor Conversion
Shares as soon as practicable after 8.00 a.m. on the day of
Admission and that share certificates (where applicable) will be
despatched as soon as practicable after Admission.
In accordance with the provisions of the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the Company
confirms that, following Admission, the Company's issued share
capital will comprise 1,204,967,240 Ordinary Shares of 0.1 pence
each. All of these Ordinary Shares have equal voting rights and
none of the Ordinary Shares are held in Treasury. The total number
of voting rights in the Company will therefore be 1,204,967,240 on
Admission.
Trading in Company's Ordinary Shares
Trading in the Company's Ordinary Shares on AIM was suspended
pursuant to Market Notice N12/20 released on 4 June. The Company
expects the suspension to be lifted once the settlement of
outstanding trades has improved. The Company will provide a further
update regarding the suspension shortly after Admission.
4. Use of proceeds
The net cash proceeds of the Fundraising, are expected to be
approximately GBP1.15 million. These proceeds will be use to
supplement the Company's working capital resources and strengthen
the Company's balance sheet with a view to providing sufficient
liquidity and flexibility to allow the Company to manage through
the period of expected disruption caused by COVID-19.
The Company believes trading will be interrupted for some time
and is working on the assumption that it will not be until early in
2021 that the level of business returns to normal levels.
Given there is no certainty as to how long the COVID-19 will
persist and how quickly business will return to normal levels
therefore there is no guarantee that the proceeds of the
Fundraising will be sufficient to support Malvern's operations
until the Company reaches cash flow break even.
5. Debt Restructuring
In August 2019 the Company entered into a loan agreement with
funds managed by Boost & Co. details of which were set out in
an announcement dated 27 August 2019. A first tranche of GBP2.6
million was drawn immediately and remains outstanding.
Pursuant to recent discussions and to facilitate an equity
fundraise, Boost & Co. has agreed to a restructuring of the
repayments of its loan.
The key features of the agreement are that Boost & Co has
agreed that in the period between and March 2020 and March 2022
(the "Standstill Period") to grant a capital and interest repayment
holiday subject to improved revenue performance triggers.
The loan will continue to amortise on its original terms from 1
August 2020 to 31 July 2024, however, all capital payments not paid
in the Standstill Period, up to an amount equal to GBP450,000,
shall be paid as a bullet payment on 31 July 2024 or can be paid
earlier by the Company with no penalty.
Pursuant to the Debt Restructuring, the Company has agreed to
issue warrants to Boost & Co over 33,333,333 New Ordinary
Shares at the Issue Price. In addition, the exercise price on the
warrants granted at the time of the original loan agreement will be
adjusted to the Issue Price.
6. Current trading and prospects
There has been no material change in the trading of the Company
since the trading update given the announcement of 20 May 2020. The
London school remains closed but bookings are being taken for
September 2020. The Singapore school remains closed to students but
as of 29 June 2020 it will be able to reopen although its operating
capacity will be restricted to 60% of its maximum. A review of
operations in Singapore is expected to be undertaken following the
appointment of new CEO, Richard Mace (see paragraph 9 below).
Since the announcement of 20 May 2020, the Company has continue
to utilise the UK Government furlough scheme and it has secured a
government support loan of GBP100,000.
Due to the time taken arranging the Fundraising, work on the
Company's audited results for the year ended 31 December 2019 (the
"2019 Accounts") has been delayed. The Company has applied for and
received an extension to the period allowed for it to publish the
2019 Accounts which now expires on 30 September 2020. The Company
now expects to announce its results and publish the 2019 Accounts
in the first half of August.
7. Creditor Conversion Shares
Certain creditors, comprising certain employees and advisers
have indicated a willingness to convert salaries and fees into New
Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price. In aggregate debts amounting to
GBP169,586 are expected to be converted into 113,057,613 New
Ordinary Shares of which 8,694,000 New Ordinary Shares are expected
to be issued to the following Directors in respect of unpaid
salaries and fees:
-- Mr Mark Elliott (Non-Executive Chairman) will receive 5,831,333 New Ordinary Shares; and,
-- Mr Alan Carroll (Non-Executive Director) will receive 2,862,667 New Ordinary Shares.
The intentions by the Directors to convert are not legally
binding. Any conversions undertaken by them will be announced
through a Regulatory Information Service.
8. Board changes
Subject to and with effect from Admission, Sam Malafeh the
existing CEO of the Company has agreed to step down as a director
of the Company. The terms of his departure and handover
arrangements have been contractually agreed.
Subject to and with effect from Admission, Richard Mace, will
become CEO of the Company. Richard was the founder of the
Communicate English School Limited which operated the Company's
school in Manchester and which was acquired by Malvern in 2018.
Richard continued to run the Manchester school until leaving the
Group in March 2020.
Subject to and with effect from Admission, Mr Haider Sithawalla,
a Non-Executive Director and a representative of KSP Investments,
will resign as a director.
Following these changes, the Board will comprise one executive
director, Richard Mace, two independent non-executive directors,
Mark Elliott and Alan Carroll and a further non-executive director,
Nirvana Chaudhary, who is a representative of CG Corp.
9. Share options awards
The share option awards outlined the Circular will no longer
take place although options awards are expected to be made to
Richard Mace in due course and to the new permanent CFO once
appointed.
APPIX
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this Announcement
unless the context otherwise requires:
"Admission" the admission of the New Ordinary Shares,
the Fundraising Shares and the Creditor
Conversion Shares, to trading on AIM becoming
effective in accordance with the AIM Rules
" AIM" the market of that name operated by the
London Stock Exchange
------------------------------------------------------------
"AIM Rules" the AIM Rules for Companies published by
the London Stock Exchange from time to time
------------------------------------------------------------
"Announcement" this announcement
------------------------------------------------------------
"Articles" the articles of association of the Company
(as amended from time to time)
------------------------------------------------------------
"Board" or "Directors" the board of directors of the Company
------------------------------------------------------------
"Boost & Co" BOOST &Co Limited of 1 Vicarage Lane, London,
E15 4HF
------------------------------------------------------------
"Business Day" any day on which banks are usually open
for business in England and Wales for the
transaction of sterling business, other
than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday
------------------------------------------------------------
"certificated" or "in an Existing Ordinary Share or an Ordinary
certificated form" Share recorded on the Company's share register
as being held in certificated form (namely,
not in CREST)
------------------------------------------------------------
"Circular" the circular to shareholders dated 20 May
2020
------------------------------------------------------------
"Closing Price" the closing middle market price of an Existing
Ordinary Share as derived from the AIM Appendix
to the Daily Official List of the London
Stock Exchange
------------------------------------------------------------
"Companies Act" the Companies Act 2006, as amended
------------------------------------------------------------
"Company" or "Malvern" Malvern International plc
------------------------------------------------------------
"Creditor Conversion the 113,057,613 New Ordinary Shares to be
Shares" issued at the Issue Price in settlement
of certain outstanding liabilities
------------------------------------------------------------
"CREST" or "CREST system" the relevant system (as defined in the CREST
Regulations) in respect of which Euroclear
is the operator (as defined in those regulations)
------------------------------------------------------------
"CREST regulations" the Uncertificated Securities Regulations
2001 (SI2001/3755)
------------------------------------------------------------
"Debt restructuring" the revised terms of the term loan facility
provided by funds managed by Boost & Co
to the Company
------------------------------------------------------------
"Directors" or "Board" the directors of the Company or any duly
authorised committee thereof
------------------------------------------------------------
"EEA" the European Economic Area
------------------------------------------------------------
"Enlarged Issue Ordinary the issued ordinary share capital of the
Share Capital" Company immediately following Admission,
being 1,204,967,240 Ordinary Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
"Euroclear" Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, the operator
of CREST
------------------------------------------------------------
"Existing Issued Ordinary the Ordinary Shares in issue at the date
Share Capital" or "Existing of this document being 258,576,293 Ordinary
Ordinary Shares" Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
"Fundraising" the Placing and Subscription
------------------------------------------------------------
"Fundraising Shares" approximately 833,333,334 new Ordinary Shares
issued pursuant to the Fundraising
------------------------------------------------------------
"Group" Malvern International plc and its subsidiary
undertakings
------------------------------------------------------------
"Issue Price" 0.15 pence per New Ordinary Share
------------------------------------------------------------
"Latest Practicable close of business (5.00 p.m. London time)
Date" on 19 May 2020, being the latest practicable
date prior to the date of this Announcement
------------------------------------------------------------
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc
------------------------------------------------------------
"MAR" or "Market Abuse the Market Abuse Regulation (2014/596/EU)
Regulation" (incorporating the technical standards,
delegated regulations and guidance notes,
published by the European Commission, London
Stock Exchange, the FCA and the European
Securities and Markets Authority)
------------------------------------------------------------
"Ordinary Shares" ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the
capital of the Company
------------------------------------------------------------
"Original Fundraising" the conditional fundraising announced on
20 May 2020 which was subsequently aborted
------------------------------------------------------------
"Placee" any person subscribing for and/or purchasing
New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Placing
------------------------------------------------------------
"Placing" the placing by WH Ireland on behalf of the
Company of the Placing Shares at the Issue
Price pursuant to the terms of the Placing
Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------
"Placing Agreement" the agreement dated 19 May 2020 between
(1) the Company and (2) WH Ireland relating
to the Placing as amended
------------------------------------------------------------
"Placing Shares" approximately 766,666,667 New Ordinary Shares
to be issued by the Company pursuant to
the Placing at the Issue Price
------------------------------------------------------------
"Securities Act" the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended
------------------------------------------------------------
"Shareholders" the holders of Ordinary Shares (as the context
requires) at the relevant time
------------------------------------------------------------
"Subscription" the subscription by certain investors for
the Subscription Shares pursuant to the
terms of subscription letters
------------------------------------------------------------
"Subscription Shares" approximately 66,666,667 New Ordinary Shares
to be issued by the Company pursuant to
the Subscription at the Issue Price
------------------------------------------------------------
"uncertificated" or recorded on the relevant register of Ordinary
"in uncertificated form" Shares as being held in uncertificated form
in CREST and title to which, by virtue of
the CREST Regulations, may be transferred
by means of CREST
------------------------------------------------------------
"United Kingdom" or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
"UK" Northern Ireland
------------------------------------------------------------
"WH Ireland" WH Ireland Limited, the Company's nominated
adviser and broker
------------------------------------------------------------
"GBP", "pounds sterling", are references to the lawful currency of
"pence" or "p" the United Kingdom
------------------------------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IOESESFDIESSEFM
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June 25, 2020 09:13 ET (13:13 GMT)
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