Proposed Withdrawal from PLUS
2 June 2011
GB0009606764
ANS GROUP PLC
("ANS Group" or the "Company")
Proposed Withdrawal from PLUS
The Directors of the Company have concluded that the costs of maintaining a listing on the PLUS-quoted Market are no longer matched by the benefits to the Company and that maintaining the listing is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Directors are proposing that the Company should be withdrawn from the PLUS-quoted Market with effect from the close of business on Thursday, 16 June 2011.
The Directors are conscious that, if the withdrawal goes ahead, it may be difficult for shareholders to trade in the Company's shares and some shareholders may not wish to hold shares in an un-listed company. Therefore, if the withdrawal goes ahead, the Company intends to make a tender offer to acquire shares from any such shareholders and, pending implementation of the tender offer, the Directors will try to match sellers with buyers.
Following withdrawal, the Company intends to put in place new incentive arrangements for Directors and senior employees which, whilst appropriate for an un-listed company, may result in material dilution to other shareholders.
Implementation of the tender offer will require, amongst other things, agreement from the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers to a waiver of the obligation on Scott Fletcher and Lowry Trading Limited to make a general offer under Rule 9 of the City Code that would otherwise arise as a result of the tender offer. A circular seeking shareholder approval for, amongst other things, this waiver, is expected to be posted to shareholders as soon as possible after the Company is withdrawn from the PLUS-quoted Market.
Under the PLUS rules, ANS Group is required to give shareholders a period of 10 business days to object to the intended withdrawal of its securities from the PLUS market. Any shareholder wishing to raise an objection should contact PLUS in confidence by Thursday, 16 June 2011.
The Directors of ANS Group Plc are responsible for the contents of this announcement.