10th Oct 2025 07:00
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, JAPAN OR AUSTRALIA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
This announcement is an advertisement for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and is not a prospectus nor an offer of securities for sale in any jurisdiction, including in or into the United States, Canada, Japan or Australia.
Neither this announcement, nor anything contained herein, shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any shares referred to in this announcement except solely on the basis of the information contained in a prospectus in its final form (together with any supplementary prospectus, if relevant, the "Prospectus"), including the risk factors set out therein, that may be published by Princes Group plc (the "Company"), together with its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings, the "Group", in due course in connection with a possible offer of ordinary shares in the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") and the possible admission to listing of such Shares to the equity shares (commercial companies) segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange plc (the "LSE") (the "Offer"). A copy of any Prospectus will, if published, be available for inspection on the Group's website at https://www.princesgroupinvestors.com/ipo, subject to certain access restrictions.
10 October 2025
Princes Group plc
Confirmation of Intention to Float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
Following the announcement on 3 October 2025 of its expected intention to float, the Company today confirms its intention to proceed with an initial public offering and certain details of the Offer.
The Company intends to apply for admission of its Ordinary Shares to the equity shares (commercial companies) ("ESCC") category of the official list of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") ("Admission").
Confirmation of the Offer Details
· The Offer would be comprised of new ordinary shares to be issued by the Company to raise net proceeds that support the Group in further inorganic growth via acquisitions;
· The final offer price in respect of the Offer (the "Offer Price") will be determined following a bookbuilding process. It is currently expected that trading will commence by the end of October;
· The Offer would be a targeted offering to certain institutional investors in the United Kingdom and elsewhere outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S, as well as to 'qualified institutional buyers' ("QIBs") in the United States pursuant to Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "US Securities Act") and an offering to retail investors through Retail Book Limited ("RetailBook") in the United Kingdom only (the "Retail Offer"). Retail investors would be able to participate through RetailBook's partner network of investment platforms, retail brokers and wealth managers, subject to such partners' participation;
· Immediately following Admission, the Company expects it would have a free float that would make it eligible for inclusion in the FTSE UK indices;
· In connection with the Offer, each of the Company, its directors and existing shareholders are expected to agree to customary lock-up arrangements restricting the disposal of shares for a period of time following Admission; and
· Any additional details in relation to the Offer, together with any changes to corporate governance arrangements, would be disclosed in a Prospectus, if and when published.
The Company has engaged BNP Paribas, London Branch ("BNP Paribas") as Sponsor and BNP PARIBAS ("BNPP"), Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. ("Rabobank"), Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") and UniCredit Bank GmbH, Milan Branch ("UniCredit") as joint global co-ordinators and joint bookrunners and Société Générale as joint bookrunner in the event that the Offer proceeds.
For more information, please contact:
Barabino and Partners (Public Relations adviser to Princes Group) | |
Georgia Colkin | T: +44 (0) 7542846844 |
Caroline Merrell | T +44 (0) 7837176599 |
Joint Global Co-ordinators and Joint Bookrunners | |
BNP Paribas (Sole Sponsor) | T: +44 (0) 2075959444 |
Sam McLennan / Tom Snowball / Gaurav Gooptu / Carwyn Evans / Lauren Davies | |
Peel Hunt | T: +44 (0) 2074188900 |
James Thomlinson / Brian Hanratty / Sohail Akbar / Andrew Clark | |
Rabobank | T: +31 657950892 |
Willem Kroner / Christian Graven / Mathijs van der Meer | |
UniCredit | T: +39 0200705926 |
Silvia Viviano / Veronica Bosco / Ronan Mc Cullough | T: +39 3346742601 |
Joint Bookrunner | |
Société Générale | T: +39 028549318 |
Diego Collaro / Jose Antonio Gagliardi | T: +33 142135624 |
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION
The contents of this announcement, which has been prepared by and is the sole responsibility of the Company, has been approved by Peel Hunt LLP solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended).
The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness.
This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada or Japan. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or issue, or any invitation or solicitation of an offer to buy, Shares to any person in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful, including the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan. The Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Shares may not be offered or sold in the United States, except to qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") as defined in, and in reliance on, Rule 144A under the US Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or pursuant to another exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States.
In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who: (A) (i) are "investment professionals" specified in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (and only where the conditions contained in those Articles have been, or will at the relevant time be, satisfied); and (B) are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; and (C) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being "relevant persons").
In the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this announcement is addressed only to and directed only at, persons in member states who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 ("Qualified Investors").
This announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to (i) in the United Kingdom, relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, Qualified Investors, and will be engaged in only with such persons.
This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Group's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Group's business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur or the Company's or the Group's actual results, performance or achievements might be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. BNP PARIBAS, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Peel Hunt LLP, Société Générale, UnitCredit Bank AG, the Company or any member of the Group, or any of such person's affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any such forward-looking statement or any other information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Any subscription or purchase of Shares in the possible Offer should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Prospectus which may be issued by the Company in connection with the possible Offer. The information in this announcement is subject to change. Before subscribing for or purchasing any Shares, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks which will be set out in the Prospectus, if published. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to acquire, whether by subscription or purchase, any Shares or any other securities, nor shall it (or any part of it), or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.
The Company may decide not to go ahead with the possible Offer and there is therefore no guarantee that a Prospectus will be published, the Offer will be made or Admission will occur. Potential investors should not base their financial decision on this announcement. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning a possible offer. The value of shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of a possible offer for the person concerned.
Nothing contained herein constitutes or should be construed as (i) investment, tax, accounting or legal advice; (ii) a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to your individual circumstances; or (iii) a personal recommendation to you.
None of the Banks (as defined below) or any of their respective affiliates or any of their or their affiliates' directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, the Group or its associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
BNP PARIBAS is authorised and regulated by the European Central Bank and the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution. BNP PARIBAS is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and is subject to regulation by the FCA and limited regulation in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of BNP PARIBAS' regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from BNP PARIBAS on request. Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank), the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten) and subject to regulation by the European Central Bank. Peel Hunt LLP is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA. Société Générale is a société anonyme, with its registered office at 29 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France and with a share capital of EUR 1,000,395,971.25, registered at the Paris Trade register under number 552 120 222. Société Générale is a French credit institution (bank) authorised and supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (the French Prudential Control and Resolution Authority) (ACPR) and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (the French financial markets regulator) (AMF). Details about the extent of Société Générale's authorisation, supervision and regulation are available on request. UniCredit Bank AG is a universal bank with its registered office and principal place of business in Arabellastrasse 12, Munich, Germany. It is entered under HRB 42148 in the B section of the Commercial Register Maintained by Munich Local Court. UniCredit Bank AG is an affiliate of UniCredit S.p.A., Milan, Italy (ultimate parent company). UniCredit Bank AG is subject to regulation by the European Central Bank and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). UniCredit Bank AG, Milan Branch is regulated by Banca d'Italia, the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Details about the extent of UniCredit Bank AG's regulation are available on request. Certain data in this announcement, including financial, statistical, and operating information has been rounded. As a result of the rounding, the totals of data presented in this announcement may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data. Percentages in tables may have been rounded and accordingly may not add up to 100%.
In connection with the possible Offer, any of BNP PARIBAS, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Peel Hunt LLP, Société Générale, UnitCredit Bank AG (together, the "Underwriters" and each an "Underwriter") and together with BNP Paribas, London Branch, the "Banks" and each a "Bank") and any of their affiliates, acting as investors for their own accounts, may take up a portion of the Shares in the possible Offer as a principal position, and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell or otherwise deal for its own accounts in such Shares and other securities of the Company or related investments and other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the possible Offer or otherwise. Accordingly, references in the Prospectus, once published, to the Shares being issued, offered, subscribed for, acquired, placed or otherwise dealt in should be read as including any issue or offer to, or subscription, acquisition, placing of or dealing by, any Bank and any of its affiliates acting as an investor for its own accounts. In addition, certain of the Banks or their affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps, warrants or contracts for differences) with investors in connection with which the Banks (or any of their affiliates) may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of Shares. Neither the Banks nor any of their affiliates intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligations to do so.
In connection with the possible Offer, Peel Hunt LLP, as stabilising manager (the "Stabilising Manager"), or any of its agents, may (but will be under no obligation to), to the extent permitted by applicable law and for stabilisation purposes, over allot Shares up to a total of 10 per cent of the total number of Shares included in the possible Offer or effect other transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Shares or any options, warrants or rights with respect thereto, or other interest in the Shares or other securities of the Company, in each case at a higher level than that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The Stabilising Manager is not required to enter into such transactions and such transactions may be effected on any securities market, over the counter market, stock exchange or otherwise and may be undertaken at any time during the period commencing on the date of the conditional dealings in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange and ending no later than 30 calendar days thereafter. Stabilisation transactions aim at supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period. Such stabilisation, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without prior notice. If such stabilisation occurs, it will be undertaken at the London Stock Exchange. However, there will be no obligation on the Stabilising Manager or any of its agents to effect stabilising transactions and there is no assurance that stabilising transactions will be undertaken. In no event will measures be taken to stabilise the market price of the Shares above the Offer Price. Except as required by law or regulation, neither the Stabilising Manager nor any of its agents intends to disclose the extent of any over allotments made and/or stabilisation transactions conducted in relation to the possible Offer.
For the purposes of allowing the Stabilising Manager to cover short positions resulting from any such over-allotment and/or from sales of Shares effected by it during the stabilisation period, the Stabilising Manager will be granted an over-allotment option (the "Over-allotment Option") by the Company, pursuant to which it may subscribe, or procure subscribers for, additional Shares representing up to 10 per cent. of the total number of Shares included in the possible Offer at the Offer Price (the "Over-allotment Shares"). The Over-allotment Option will be exercisable in whole or in part upon notice by the Stabilising Manager at any time on or before the 30th calendar day after the commencement of conditional dealings in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange. Any Overallotment Shares made available pursuant to the Over-allotment Option will be made available on the same terms and conditions as Shares being offered or sold pursuant to the possible Offer, will rank pari passu in all respects with all other Shares (including with respect to pre-emption rights) and will form a single class with all other Shares for all purposes, including with respect to voting and for all dividends and distributions thereafter declared, made or paid on the ordinary share capital of the Company.
For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of the Group's website or any website, including the websites of the Group's business units, directly or indirectly linked to the Group's website, are not incorporated by reference into, and do not form part of, this announcement.
Information to Distributors
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; (c) local implementing measures (the "EEA Product Governance Requirements") and (d) Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements" and together with the EEA Product Governance Requirements, the "Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail clients and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II or Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS"), as applicable; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) should note that: the price of the Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the possible Offer. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Underwriters will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II or Chapters 9A or 10A respectively of COBS; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Shares.
Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.