Statement re possible offer: BCA Marketplace plc
10th June 2018
Apax Apax Partners LLP notes the recent media speculation in relation to BCA Marketplace plc. Apax confirms that it is in the early stages of considering an offer foApax Partners LLP notes the recent media speculation in relation to BCA Marketplace plc. Apax confirms that it is in the early stages of considering an offer for BCA Marketplace plc to be made by a new entity controlled by funds advised by Apax. This announcement does not amount to a firm intention to make an offer and accordingly there can be no certainty that an offer will made.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT AN OFFER WILL BE MADE, NOR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY OFFER WILL BE MADE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday 10 June 2018
Statement re possible offer
Apax Partners LLP (“Apax”) notes the recent media speculation in relation to BCA Marketplace plc (“BCA”).
Apax confirms that it is in the early stages of considering an offer for BCA to be made by a new entity controlled by funds advised by Apax (“Apax Funds”). This announcement does not amount to a firm intention to make an offer and accordingly there can be no certainty that an offer will made.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Apax is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 8 July 2018, to either announce a firm intention that the Apax Funds will make an offer for BCA in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not, and that the Apax Funds do not, intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline can be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
Enquiries
Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook (+44 20 7952 2000)
Warner Mandel, Rothschild (+44 20 7280 5000)
Important notice related to financial adviser
N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited ("Rothschild"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Apax and for no one else in connection with the subject matter of this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Apax for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the subject matter of this announcement.
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position disclosure or a dealing disclosure
Rule 26.1 disclosure
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this announcement will be available at www.Apax.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on 11 June 2018.
The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.