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Dividend and Bank Facilities

13th Aug 2010 07:00

RNS Number : 0154R
ILX Group PLC
13 August 2010
 



ILX Group PLC

("ILX" or the "Group")

 

Dividend and Bank Facilities

 

ILX Group plc (AiM: ILX), the AIM quoted provider of e-learning software and business training, announces that it is in discussions with its lending bank with regard to the provision of revised banking facilities. Whilst current trading remains strong and substantially ahead of last year the Board, following discussions with its advisers, have decided to cancel the proposed dividend payment in order to fund the international growth of the business.

 

 In the UK, although we have seen a number of customers taking longer to pay, the Group has not as yet had any indication that the recent public sector cuts will have a significant effect this year. However the Group's current banking facilities, in particular the confidential invoice finance facility, cannot support the increasing international growth.

 

In the context of this the Board has decided to cancel its proposed dividend for the 2009/10 financial year, in order to accelerate debt repayment this year and to optimise investment in the business.

 

Revised bank facilities have been negotiated and indicative terms provided by the bank. These comprise both enlarged facilities and a slower capital repayment schedule. These facilities, which are expected to be in place by the end of September, will provide the Group with the additional working capital and more appropriate structure required to capitalise on the increasing opportunities within the Group for growth, particularly overseas.

 

The Board continues to expect the year's trading to be in line with market expectations and expects to resume dividend payments, at least at the current level, within 12 months.

 

Ken Scott, Chief Executive, ILX Group plc commented:

 

"The current economic climate combined with our fast international growth makes it prudent for the Group to strengthen its balance sheet. While disappointing to cancel the dividend, this refinancing will help to secure the financial strength of the Group over our next phase of growth.

 

"We remain optimistic and excited regarding the prospects for the business."

 

13 August 2010

 

For further information, please contact:

 

ILX Group plc

020 7751 7100

Ken Scott, Chief Executive

FinnCap

020 7600 1658

Marc Young - Corporate Finance

Tom Jenkins - Corporate Broking

 

Lothbury Financial Services Limited

020 7868 2010

Michael Padley / Libby Moss

 

 

Editors' Note

ILX Group plc (www.ilxgroup.com) is a leading provider of vocational training to the private and public sectors, delivered through e-learning, and instructor-led courses/workshops, and trades through three divisions:

 

1. UK Best Practice division delivers e-learning software, instructor-led training and implementation consultancy principally to the programme and project management, IT service management and business finance markets.

2. International division mirrors the UK Best Practice activities with a stronger emphasis on e-learning software delivery.

 

3. Banking & Finance division provides instructor-led training, workshops and related services, principally to the investment banking community.

 

ENDS

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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