Enquiries:
Bidco
Marc Bala / Ishan Manaktala / Ben Livingston / Kial
Kaiser
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Enquiries via
William Blair
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William Blair International,
Limited
(Financial Adviser to STG and
Bidco)
Dominic Emery / Hanan Lee / Jakub Lenart / Robert von Martens
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+44 (0) 20 7868 4440
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Gresham
Ian Manocha / Tom Mullan
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+44 (0) 20 7653 0200
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Houlihan Lokey
Advisory Limited
(Financial Adviser and Rule 3
Adviser to Gresham)
Mark Fisher / Tim Richardson / Elliot Reader / Jack Durston
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+44 (0) 20 7839 3355
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Singer Capital
Markets Advisory LLP
(Corporate Broker to
Gresham)
Shaun Dobson / Jen Boorer
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+44 (0) 20 7496 3000
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Alma
Strategic Communications
(PR
Adviser to Gresham)
Josh Royston / Hilary Buchanan / Will
Ellis Hancock
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+44 (0) 20 3405 0205
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Important notices relating to financial advisers
William Blair
International, Limited ("William
Blair"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for
STG and Bidco and no one else in connection with the subject matter
of this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other
than STG and Bidco for providing the protections afforded to the
clients of William Blair, or for providing advice in connection
with the subject matter of this Announcement. Neither William Blair
nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts
any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or
indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise)
to any person who is not a client of William Blair in connection
with the subject matter of this Announcement, any statement
contained herein or otherwise.
Houlihan Lokey
Advisory Limited ("Houlihan
Lokey"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively as
financial adviser and Rule 3 adviser to Gresham and no one else in
connection with the matters set out in this Announcement and will
not be responsible to anyone other than Gresham for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Houlihan Lokey or for providing
advice in relation to matters referred to in this Announcement.
Neither Houlihan Lokey nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or
affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility
whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in
tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client
of Houlihan Lokey in connection with this Announcement, any
statement contained herein or otherwise.
Singer Capital
Markets Advisory LLP ("Singer Capital Markets"), which is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting
exclusively for Gresham and no-one else in connection with the
subject matter of this Announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than Gresham for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Singer Capital Markets or for providing advice in
relation to the subject matter of this Announcement or any other
matter referred to in this Announcement.
Each of William
Blair, Houlihan Lokey and
Singer Capital Markets have given and not withdrawn their consent to
the publication of this Announcement with the inclusion herein of
the references to their respective names and (where applicable)
advice in the form and context in which they appear.
Further information
This Announcement is
for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not,
constitute or form part of any offer or inducement to sell or an
invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or
otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities, any vote or approval in any
jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise. The
Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the
Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an
Offer, the Offer Document), which will contain the full terms and
conditions of the Acquisition, including details of what action is
required from Gresham Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition.
Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition
should be made only on the basis of the information in the Scheme
Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer,
the Offer Document).
Gresham and Bidco
shall prepare the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document) to be
distributed to Gresham Shareholders. Gresham and Bidco urge Gresham
Shareholders to read the Scheme Document in its entirety (or, if
the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer
Document) when it becomes available because it will contain
important information relating to the Acquisition including details
of how to vote in respect of the Scheme.
This Announcement
does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent
document.
Bidco reserves the
right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer as
an alternative to the Scheme (subject to the Panel's consent). In
such event, the Acquisition will be implemented on substantially
the same terms, so far as applicable, as those which will apply to
the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to reflect, among
other things, the change in method of effecting the Acquisition
(including, without limitation: (i) the inclusion of an acceptance
condition set at 90 per cent. of the Gresham Shares to which such
Offer relates (or such other percentage as Bidco may, subject to
the rules of the Takeover Code and with the consent of the Panel,
decide); and (ii) those required by, or deemed appropriate by,
Bidco under applicable law). Further, if sufficient acceptances of
such Offer are received and/or sufficient Gresham Shares are
otherwise acquired, it is the intention of Bidco to apply the
provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006 to
acquire compulsorily any outstanding Gresham Shares to which such
Offer relates.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this
Announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to
seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your
stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent
financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are resident in the United
Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised
independent financial adviser.
Overseas Shareholders
This Announcement
has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of
complying with the laws of England and Wales, the Takeover Code,
the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as
that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been
prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside
England.
The release,
publication or distribution of this Announcement in or into certain
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by
law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves
of, and observe, any applicable requirements of their
jurisdictions.
The availability of
the Acquisition to Gresham Shareholders who are not resident in and
citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws and/or
regulations of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located
or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in and
citizens of the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and
observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their
jurisdictions. In particular, the ability of persons who are not
resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom to vote their Scheme
Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to
execute and deliver forms of proxy appointing another person to
vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the
laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of
which they are a citizen. Gresham Shareholders who are in any doubt
regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent
financial adviser in their relevant jurisdiction without delay. Any
failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a
violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and
persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or
liability for the violation of such restrictions by any
person.
Unless otherwise
determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted
by applicable law and regulation, participation in the Acquisition
will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or
from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the
laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the
Acquisition by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within
a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so
would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.
Accordingly, copies of this Announcement and any formal
documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must
not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded,
distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction
and persons receiving this Announcement and all such documents
relating to the Acquisition (including, without limitation, agents,
custodians, nominees and trustees) must not, directly or
indirectly, mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in,
into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render
invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition.
If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless
otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer
may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use
of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not
limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission,
telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any
facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any
Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of
acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or
facilities.
Further details in
relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme
Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer,
the Offer Document).
Notice to US investors in Gresham
Gresham Shareholders
in the United States should note that the Acquisition relates to
the shares of an English company and is proposed to be made by
means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under, and governed
by, the laws of England and Wales.
Neither the proxy
solicitation nor the tender offer rules under the U.S Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "US Exchange Act") will apply to the Scheme. Moreover, the
Scheme will be subject to the disclosure and procedural
requirements and practices applicable in the United Kingdom to
schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure and
procedural requirements of US tender offer and proxy solicitation
rules. If, in the future and subject to the consent of the Panel,
Bidco exercises the right to implement the Acquisition by way of an
Offer and determines to extend the offer into the United States,
the Acquisition will be made in compliance with applicable United
States laws and regulations, including any applicable exemptions
under the US Exchange Act. Such an Offer would be made in the
United States by Bidco and no one else. In accordance with normal
United Kingdom practice and consistent with Rule 14e-5 under the US
Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies and the nominees
or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain purchases of, or
arrangements to purchase, shares in Gresham outside such Offer
during the period in which such Offer would remain open for
acceptance. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to
be made they would be made outside the United States either in the
open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at
negotiated prices and would comply with applicable law, including,
to the extent applicable, the US Exchange Act. Any information
about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United
Kingdom, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and
will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at
www.londonstockexchange.com.
The financial
information included in this Announcement and the Scheme Document
(or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the
Offer Document) has been or will have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles of the United Kingdom
and thus may not be comparable to the financial information of US
companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States ("US GAAP").
US GAAP differs in certain significant respects from accounting
standards applicable in the United Kingdom. None of the financial
information in this document has been audited in accordance with
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States or the
auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States).
Neither the
Acquisition nor this Announcement have been approved or disapproved
by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities
commission in the United States or any other US regulatory
authority, nor have any such authorities passed upon or determined
the adequacy
or accuracy of the
information contained in this Announcement or the merits of the
Acquisition. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offence in the United States.
The receipt of
consideration by a US holder for the transfer of its Gresham Shares
pursuant to the Acquisition may be a taxable transaction for US
federal income tax purposes and under applicable US state and
local, as well as non-US and other, tax laws. Each Gresham
Shareholder is urged to consult their independent professional
adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the
Acquisition applicable to them, including under applicable US
federal, state and local, as well as non-US and other, tax
laws.
It may be difficult
for US holders of Gresham Shares to enforce their rights and any
claim arising out of the US federal laws or to enforce against them
a judgment of a US court predicated upon the securities laws of the
United Kingdom, since Bidco and Gresham are incorporated in a
non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and
directors may be residents of countries other than the United
States. US holders of Gresham Shares may not be able to sue a
non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for
violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult
to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves
to a US court's judgment.
Dealing and opening position disclosure
requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of
the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in one per cent. 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 p.m. (London
time) on the 10th Business Day following the commencement of the
offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m.
(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 Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in one
per cent. 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 p.m. (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.
Publication on a website
In accordance with
Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this Announcement and the
documents required to be published under Rule 26 of the Takeover
Code will be made available, subject to certain restrictions
relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on
Gresham's website at www.greshamtech.com/invest-in-us by no later than 12
noon (London time) on the first Business Day following the date of
this Announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents
of this website nor any website accessible from hyperlinks is
incorporated into or forms part of this Announcement.
Rounding
Certain figures
included in this Announcement have been subjected to rounding
adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category
presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown
as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of
figures that precede them.
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