EUROCANN INTERNATIONAL PLC
(“Eurocann” or “the Company”)
Notice of AGM
Name Change and
Strategy
2 October 2020
Eurocann, quoted on the AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to
announce that notice convening the Company’s Annual General
Meeting, to be held at Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road,
Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7NA on 26
October 2020 at 10.30am, has
been posted to shareholders.
A copy of the Circular will shortly be available at:
https://eurocannintplc.com/
Besides for the usual Annual General Meeting business, the
Company is proposing, inter alia:
Proposed Name Change
The General Meeting will consider, inter alia, a name change of
the Company to DiscovOre plc (with a change of ticker symbol to
“ORE”).
Investment Strategy
In addition to investing in the developing market for medicinal
or therapeutic Cannabis derivate, or related products, including
but not limited to nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetic
products which contain cannabis or hemp (cannabis which contains
less than 0.2% THC) derived cannabinoids, the Company intends to
invest in companies, projects or assets that operate within, or are
planning to operate within, the natural resource industry, as well
as special situations that offer meaningful capital
appreciation.
A copy of the Non-Executive Director’s letter, the expected
timetable of principal events and definitions sections contained in
the Circular, are set out in full below in this announcement
without material amendment or adjustment.
Covid-19
As a result of COVID-19 the Company would like to advise
shareholders that, in accordance with the UK Government guidelines
on restrictions for public gatherings, physical attendance in
person by shareholders of the Company will not be possible and the
AGM will be held as a closed meeting.
Shareholders will therefore not be permitted to attend the AGM
in person and are strongly encouraged to submit their proxy in
advance of the meeting to ensure that their votes are
registered.
We trust that Shareholders will understand the need for these
precautions in light of current public health guidelines on
COVID-19.
Voting
We encourage all Shareholders to submit their proxy sufficiently
in advance of the AGM to ensure that their votes are registered. To
be valid, Forms of Proxy and any power of attorney or other
authority under which it is signed must be lodged Neville
Registrars Limited at Neville House, Steelpark Road, Halesowen, B62
8HD on 24 October 2020.
Given the restrictions on attendance, for your votes to be
counted, we advise that Shareholders should appoint the 'Chairman
of the meeting' as their proxy for all the shares they hold rather
than a named person, as they will not be permitted to attend the
meeting. Appointing a proxy will ensure your vote is recorded in
the same manner as it has been at previous annual general
meetings.
The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the
contents of this announcement.
ENQUIRIES:
Company
Eurocann International plc
Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi / Conrad
Windham
Telephone: 020 3778 1106
Corporate Adviser
Peterhouse Capital Limited
Guy Miller and Mark Anwyl
Telephone: 020 7220 9796
To Shareholders
Notice of Annual
General Meeting
AND
Adoption of new
Investing Strategy
Change of name to
DiscovOre plc
1. Introduction and
Background to the Proposals
This Circular sets the reasons for the adoption of an Investment
Strategy and other matters to be proposed at the Annual General
Meeting, together with the usual annual general meeting
resolutions. It also explains why the Directors consider the
Proposals to be in the best interests of the Company and
Shareholders as a whole and why they recommend that Shareholders
should vote in favour of the Resolutions to be proposed at the
Annual General Meeting.
On 5 June 2019, the Board of the
Company announced a proposed new investing policy into the cannabis
sector, specifically the developing market for medicinal or
therapeutic Cannabis derivative, or related products, including but
not limited to nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetic
products which contain cannabis or hemp (cannabis which contains
less than 0.2% THC) derived cannabinoids.
Since the General Meeting held in June
2019 that approved the investing policy into the cannabis
sector, the Directors have seen what remains a fledgling industry
become increasingly cluttered through new entrants mimicking the
investment strategy of Eurocann. Naturally, an increased number of
suitors can serve to create challenges when trying to execute a
transaction at a price that fairly balances risk and reward.
Indeed, as announced in the final audited results to
30 November 2019, one of the
challenges faced by would-be investors in hot sectors such as
medicinal cannabis has been, is determining what might be fair
value for such investments. So frequently throughout history hot
new assets and industries have overshot fair value, a result of a
range of factors such as the greater fool theory, a
misunderstanding as to the likely demand and thereby growth of such
investments and industries, and the emotional state of greed.
The EQM Global Cannabis Index, which tracks the price movements
in shares of publicly traded global companies in the cannabis
industry, supports this observation. Having had an index value of
113 at the start of 2018, the index hit a low most recently in
March 2020 at 17.25, before staging a
mild recovery to trade around 30 in August
2020. The performance of the index highlights the euphoria
that surrounded medicinal cannabis, which led to related companies
overshooting their fair value, before reality set in, as evidenced
through the current level the index trades at, and being more
reflective as to the likely near-term outlook for the sector.
In light of this, and with a view to maximising shareholder
returns, the Board is proposing to broaden the Investment Strategy
for the Company to invest in companies, projects or assets that
operate within, or are planning to operate within, the natural
resource industry, as well as special situations that offer
meaningful capital appreciation.
The Directors will be focused on making investments in both
public and private companies and projects, and, in addition, will
consider the acquisition of a business or businesses. The
Directors’ primary objective is to achieve the best possible value
over time for Shareholders, primarily through capital growth but
potentially, in the future, and only when felt prudent, dividend
income.
The Company intends to be an active investor in situations where
it can make a clear contribution to the progress and development of
the investment. In more substantial investment opportunities, the
Directors expect that the Company will be a passive investor.
The Directors believe that their collective experience, together
with their extensive network of contacts, will assist them in the
identification, evaluation and funding of appropriate investment
opportunities. When necessary, other external professionals will be
engaged to assist in the due diligence on prospective targets and
their management teams. The Directors will also consider appointing
additional directors and /or advisors with relevant experience if
the need arises.
There will be no limit on the number of projects into which the
Company may invest, and the Company may invest in a number of
propositions or in just one investment, which may be deemed to be a
reverse takeover pursuant to Rule 55 of the AQSE Growth Market
Rules. The Company may need to raise additional funds for these
purposes and may use both debt and/or equity.
In compliance with Rule 48 of the AQSE Growth Market Rules, if
the Company (as an Investment Vehicle) has not substantially
implemented its investing policy after the period of one year
following Admission, it will seek Shareholder approval in respect
of the subsequent year for the further pursuit of its investment
strategy.
As an Investment Vehicle, the Company is required to
substantially implement its investment strategy within a period of
two years following Admission. In the event that the Company has
not undertaken a transaction constituting a Reverse Takeover under
Rule 55 of the AQSE Growth Market Rules, or if it has otherwise
failed to substantially implement its investment strategy within
the two year period, AQSE Growth Market will suspend trading of the
Company’s Shares in accordance with Rule 74 of the AQSE Growth
Market Rules. If suspension occurs, the Directors will consider
returning the Company’s cash to Shareholders after deducting all
related expenses.
To better reflect the transition towards the natural resource
industry and the more generalist investment approach to the
investment strategy the Company is proposing to change its name to
DiscovOre plc.
A notice convening the Annual General Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on 26 October
2020, at the offices of Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road,
Hampshire, GU14 7NA, to consider the Resolutions, is set out at the
end of this Circular.
2. Dis-application
of pre-emption rights and authority to allot shares
In order to facilitate investments in the ordinary course of
implementing the Company’s proposed Investment Strategy, it is
necessary for the Directors to seek authority from Shareholders at
the Annual General Meeting pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 to,
inter alia, issue Ordinary Shares for cash. The Directors may look
to raise additional funds for the Company following the Annual
General Meeting, subject to any necessary resolutions being
approved by Shareholders.
Full details of the authorities the Directors are seeking at the
Annual General Meeting are set out in the attached notice of Annual
General Meeting.
3. Change of
Name
Subject to Shareholders’ approval of the Proposals, it is
proposed that the name of the Company be changed to DiscovOre
plc.
No new share certificates will be issued to Shareholders holding
share certificates as a result of the Company’s name change and
existing share certificates will remain valid.
If Resolution 8 is approved, the change of name will be
effective once Companies House has issued a new certificate on the
change of name. This is expected to occur on or around 26 October 2020, being the day of the Annual
General Meeting. The tradeable instrument display mnemonic (“TIDM”)
of the Company is expected to change to ORE effective from
7.00 a.m. on 29 October 2020. The Company has also secured the
domain, www.discovoreplc.com which subject to the resolutions being
passed will become the Company’s new corporate website.
4. Investing
Strategy
The Company intends to invest in companies, projects or assets
that operate within, or are planning to operate within, the natural
resource industry, as well as special situations that offer
meaningful capital appreciation. This is in addition to investing
in the developing market for medicinal or therapeutic Cannabis
derivate, or related products, including but not limited to
nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetic products which
contain cannabis or hemp (cannabis which contains less than 0.2%
THC) derived cannabinoids.
The Directors will be focused on making investments in both
public and private companies and projects, and, in addition, will
consider the acquisition of a business or businesses. The
Directors’ primary objective is to achieve the best possible value
over time for Shareholders, primarily through capital growth but
potentially, in the future and only when felt prudent, dividend
income.
The Company intends to be an active investor in situations where
it can make a clear contribution to the progress and development of
the investment. In more substantial investment opportunities, the
Directors expect that the Company will be a passive investor.
The Directors believe that their collective experience, together
with their extensive network of contacts, will assist them in the
identification, evaluation and funding of appropriate investment
opportunities. When necessary, other external professionals will be
engaged to assist in the due diligence on prospective targets and
their management teams. The Directors will also consider appointing
additional directors and /or advisors with relevant experience if
the need arises.
There will be no limit on the number of projects into which the
Company may invest, and the Company may invest in a number of
propositions or in just one investment, which may be deemed to be a
reverse takeover pursuant to Rule 55 of the AQSE Growth Market
Rules. The Company may need to raise additional funds for these
purposes and may use both debt and/or equity.
5. Annual General
Meeting
There is attached to this Document the notice convening an
Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at the offices of
Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road, Hampshire, GU14 7NA at
10:30 a.m. on 26 October 2020 at which the Resolutions will be
proposed to, inter alia, approve the change of Investment Strategy
and to change the name of the Company, together with the standard
annual general meeting Resolutions. A summary of some of the
Resolutions is set out below.
Resolution 1 - which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution,
seeks approval for the proposed Investment Strategy
Resolution 7 - which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution,
seeks approval to authorise the Directors to issue shares pursuant
to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006
Resolution 8 - which will be proposed as a special resolution,
seeks approval to change the name of the Company to “DiscovOre plc”
and that the Company’s memorandum and articles of association be
amended to reflect such change of name
Resolution 9 - which will be proposed as a special resolution,
seeks approval to disapply the statutory pre-emption rights under
section 561 of the Companies Act 2006.
6. Board
Subject to Shareholders’ approval of the Proposals, it is
proposed that Conrad Windham will
become an Executive Director of the Company, Jeremy Thomas Ross will become a Non-Executive
Director of the Company and Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi will
move into the role of Non-Executive Chairman of the Company.
7. Action to be
taken
Shareholders will find a Form of Proxy enclosed for use at the
Annual General Meeting. Whether or not you intend to be present at
the Annual General Meeting, you are requested to complete and
return the Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions
printed thereon as soon as possible. To be valid, completed Forms
of Proxy must be received by the Company’s Registrars, not later
than 10:30 a.m. on 24 October 2020, being 2 days before the time
appointed for holding the Annual General Meeting. You are entitled
to appoint a proxy to attend and to exercise all or any of your
rights to vote and to speak at the Annual General Meeting instead
of you. Completion of the Form of Proxy will not preclude you from
attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting in person if you
so wish. Your attention is drawn to the notes to the Form of
Proxy.
Recommendation
The Directors considers the Proposals
to be in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as
a whole and therefore recommend that you vote in favour of the
Resolutions, as the Directors intend to do in respect of their own
shares.
Yours faithfully,
Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi
For and on behalf of the Board
Eurocann International plc
EXPECTED TIMETABLE
OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS
Publication of this Document |
1
October 2020 |
Latest time and date
for receipt of Forms of Proxy in respect of the Annual General
Meeting |
10:30
a.m. on 24 October 2020 |
Record Date for the
Annual General Meeting |
6:00
p.m. on 24 October 2020 |
|
|
Annual General
Meeting |
10:30
a.m. on 26 October 2020 |
Proposals
becomes effective
Proposed ticker subject to the Proposals becoming effective |
26
October 2020
ORE |
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this Circular unless
the context requires otherwise:
“Act” |
the Companies Act, as
amended |
“Annual General Meeting” |
the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at 10:30 a.m. on 26 October 2020 at the
offices Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road, Hampshire, GU14
7NA, |
|
|
|
|
“Aquis Exchange” |
Aquis Stock Exchange Plc, a
recognised investment exchange under section 290 of the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended); |
“AQSE Growth
Market” |
the primary market for
unlisted securities operated by Aquis Exchange; |
“AQSE Growth Market
Rules” |
the AQSE Growth Market
Rules for Issuers, which set out the admission requirements and
continuing obligations of companies seeking admission to and whose
shares are admitted to trading on the AQSE Growth Market; |
“Articles” or “Articles
of Association” |
the articles of association of the
Company from time to time; |
“Board” or “Directors” |
the directors of the
Company at the date of this Document whose names are set out on
page 4 of this Document; |
“Business” |
strategy to build a
portfolio of digital assets, comprising apps, domain names, and the
acquisition of websites; |
“Circular” or
“Document” |
this document and its
contents; |
“Company” or “Eurocann” |
Eurocann International
plc, a company registered in England and Wales with registered
number 06010900; |
“Directors” |
the current directors as at the date
of this Document; |
|
|
“FCA” |
the Financial Conduct
Authority; |
“Form of Proxy” |
the form of proxy accompanying the
Circular for use at the Annual General Meeting; |
|
|
“Investment Strategy” |
the proposed new investment strategy
of the Company as required by the AQSE Growth Market Rules and as
set out in this Circular; |
|
|
“Official List”
|
the Official List of the UK Listing
Authority |
“Ordinary Shares” |
ordinary shares of
£0.0001 each in the capital of the Company from time to time; |
“Peterhouse” |
Peterhouse Capital
Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales with company
number 02075091 (authorised by the FCA with firm reference number
184761); |
“Proposals” |
The proposals set out in this
Circular, whereby Shareholders are being asked to consider and, if
thought fit, approve namely, inter alia, (i) the adoption of an
Investment Strategy, (ii) the change of name of the Company to
DiscovOre plc, (iii) the authority to allot new Ordinary Shares and
(iv) the dis-application of pre-emption right; |
|
|
“Resolutions” |
the
resolutions set out in the notice of Annual General Meeting
contained within the Circular; |
“Shareholders” |
holders of Ordinary
Shares in the Company from time to time; |
“Sterling” or “£” |
the lawful currency of
the UK; |
"UK" or "United Kingdom" |
the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland; |
"US" or "United
States"
|
the United States of America, its
territories and possessions, any states of the United States of
America and the District of Columbia and all other areas subject to
its jurisdiction; |