23rd Oct 2012 07:00
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
23 October 2012
RECOMMENDED OFFER
by
PORTA COMMUNICATIONS PLC
for
WFCA PLC
OFFER UPDATE
Introduction
On 17 August 2012, the Porta Board and the Independent WFCA Directors announced the terms of a recommended all-share offer to be made by Porta to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of WFCA (the "Offer"). The full terms and conditions of the Offer and the procedures for acceptance were set out in the offer document issued by Porta on 17 August 2012 (the "Offer Document"). The first closing date of the Offer was 7 September 2012.
On 10 September 2012 Porta announced that the Offer was unconditional in all respects.
Terms used in this announcement have the same meanings given to them in the Offer Document unless stated otherwise. All references to time in this announcement are to London time.
Acceptance levels
As at close of business on 19 October 2012, Porta had received valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of 441,069,713 WFCA Shares (representing approximately 98.71 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of WFCA).
As announced on 18 October 2012, WFCA Shareholders are advised that the Offer will close for acceptances on 1 November 2012. The WFCA Shares held by those WFCA Shareholders who have not accepted the Offer by this date will be acquired compulsorily by Porta on the same terms as the Offer pursuant to the statutory notices under section 980(1) of the Act that were posted on 20 September 2012. The New Porta Shares to which those WFCA Shareholders will be entitled as consideration under the terms of the Offer will be held by WFCA as trustee on behalf of those WFCA Shareholders who have not accepted the Offer and they will be requested to claim their New Porta Shares by writing to WFCA.
Accordingly, WFCA Shareholders who have not yet accepted the Offer are urged to do so without delay as follows:
- If you are a holder of WFCA Shares in certificated form, you should complete and return the Form of Acceptance, which accompanied the Offer Document, together with your original share certificate(s) or other document(s) of title, to Capita Registrars as soon as possible; or
- If you are a holder of WFCA Shares in uncertificated form, that is, in CREST, your Electronic Acceptance should be made and settled, in accordance with the instructions set out in the Offer Document, as soon as possible.
Additional copies of the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance are available from Capita Registrars by telephoning 0871 644 0321 or if you are calling from outside the United Kingdom, +44 20 8639 3399.
Settlement of consideration
Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for a total of 103,971 New Porta Shares due in respect of valid acceptances received since 5 October 2012 to be admitted to trading on AIM and admission is expected to occur on 26 October 2012. Following such admission there will be 102,160,324 Porta Shares in issue.
Further information
A copy of this announcement will be made available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Porta's website at www.portacommunications.plc.uk.
ENQUIRIES
Porta Communications plc | Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7680 6500 |
David Wright (Chief Executive) |
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Keith Springall (Finance Director) |
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Northland Capital Partners Limited (Financial Adviser, Nominated Adviser and Broker to Porta) | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7796 8800 |
Tim Metcalfe / Matthew Johnson / Lauren Kettle |
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The Porta Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Porta Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Northland Capital Partners Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA is acting exclusively for Porta and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Porta for providing the protections afforded to clients of Northland Capital Partners Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter or arrangement referred to in this Announcement.
This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. The Offer is made solely by the Offer Document, a notice published in the London Gazette on 21 August 2012 and the Form of Acceptance accompanying the Offer Document, which contains the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how the Offer may be accepted. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Offer Document.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the availability of the Offer to WFCA Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or WFCA Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom will need to inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements and/or restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of securities law of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Porta and WFCA disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by such persons.
Related Shares:
PTCM.L