Transfer to AIM
November 26 2003 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:4795S
Avesco PLC
26 November 2003
Embargoed until 7.00 a.m.
26 November 2003
Avesco plc
("Avesco" or "the Group")
Avesco to transfer from Official List to AIM
Avesco, the group engaged in the provision of specialist services to the
corporate, presentation, entertainment and broadcast markets and which owns a
49% interest in Complete Communications Corporation Limited (owner of Celador
Productions and Celador International, leading producers of light entertainment
shows including "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"), today announces that it
intends to cancel the listing of its ordinary share capital on the Official List
of the UK Listing Authority ("UKLA") and apply for admission of its ordinary
share capital to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London
Stock Exchange plc ("AIM").
The Board of Avesco has taken the decision to transfer from the Official List to
AIM as it believes that the simplified ongoing administration and reporting
requirements and the lower costs of complying with the continuing obligations of
AIM are more appropriate for a company of Avesco's size. In addition, the Board
has conducted a strategic review of the Group with a view to enhancing
shareholder value. As a result, following admission to AIM, the Group will
consider plans to demerge into two separate, AIM quoted, entities. If the Group
does indeed decide to demerge, one entity will continue to operate the Group's
core business of the provision of specialist services to the corporate,
presentation, entertainment and broadcast markets and the other entity would act
as a vehicle owning holdings in Complete Communications Corporation Limited and
Medal Entertainment & Media plc. The Board believes that AIM would provide a
more flexible and less costly regulatory environment in which to achieve a
demerger. Should the Board decide to demerge the Group, further details of the
intended demerger will be announced in due course following Avesco's admission
to AIM. Any demerger would be subject to prior approval by Avesco's
shareholders.
It is intended that admission to trading on AIM will be effective and dealings
on AIM will commence from 8.00 a.m. on 24 December 2003 and that cancellation of
listing on the Official List will occur simultaneously.
The Board is aware that for some shareholders there may be disadvantages in
investing in shares quoted on AIM rather than on the Official List of the UKLA.
The shares of a company quoted on AIM cannot be held in Personal Equity Plans or
Individual Savings Accounts. Shareholders are advised to review their position
in this respect as soon as possible and, if necessary, to consult a professional
suitably qualified to advise in such matters under the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000.
The AIM Rules require that Avesco appoints and retains a Nominated Adviser in
order to gain admission to AIM. Accordingly, Avesco is appointing Durlacher
Limited as its Nominated Adviser. It is also appointing Durlacher Limited and
Evolution Beeson Gregory Limited as its joint brokers.
This notification is made pursuant to rule 1.22(c) of the Listing Rules of the
UKLA. A notification pursuant to Schedule 1 of the AIM rules has been made to
AIM Regulation.
Enquiries:
Avesco plc 01293 583400
Richard Murray (Chairman)
David Nicholson (Chief Executive)
David Brocksom (Finance Director)
Durlacher Limited 020 7459 3600
Simon Hirst (Head of Corporate Finance)
Richard Swindells (Associate Director, Corporate Finance)
End
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCEELFLXFBBFBQ