10th Aug 2021 08:10
10 August 2021
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE TAKEOVER CODE AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY FIRM OFFER WILL BE MADE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
TP Group plc
(the "Company", "TP Group" or the "Group")
Response to speculation
TP Group notes recent speculation and announces that it has received an approach from Science Group plc ("Science Group") regarding a possible offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary shares of the Company (save for those already owned by Science Group).
The approach is preliminary in nature and there can be no certainty that any offer for TP Group will be made, nor as to the terms on which any such offer might be made. Shareholders are urged to take no action at this time.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Science Group must, by no later than 5.00 p.m. on 7 September 2021, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for TP Group in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline may be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.
Publication on website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this announcement will be available at www.tpgroupglobal.com, by no later than 12 noon (London time) on 11 August 2021.
The content of the website referred to above is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.
Rule 2.9 information
In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, TP Group confirms that as at the close of business on 9 August 2021, its issued share capital consisted of 779,178,719 ordinary shares of 1 penny each. The International Securities Identification Number for TP Group's ordinary shares is GB0030591514.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% 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 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (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 Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% 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(s), 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 pm (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.
For further information, please contact:
TP Group plc | Tel: 01753 285 810 |
Andrew McCree | |
www.tpgroup.uk.com | |
Cenkos Securities plc (Financial Adviser to TP Group plc) | Tel: 020 7397 8980 |
Stephen Keys / Mark Connelly / Callum Davidson | |
www.cenkos.com | |
SEC Newgate UK | Tel: 020 3757 6882 |
Elisabeth Cowell/ Bob Huxford/ Richard Bicknell | |
www.secnewgate.co.uk |
Related Shares:
Science GroupTPG.L