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Current share price: GARNER 3 | -0.125 As at: Thu Nov 20 15:27:40 2008 Recent announcements: 19/11/2008 11:51 AIM - Schedule 1 - Garner Plc
RNS Number : 4817I
AIM
19 November 2008
ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE AIM APPLICANT PRIOR TO ADMISSION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 2 OF THE AIM RULES FOR COMPANIES ("AIM RULES")
COMPANY NAME:
Garner Plc
COMPANY REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS AND IF DIFFERENT, COMPANY TRADING ADDRESS
(INCLUDING POSTCODES) :
6 Derby Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7AD
COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION:
UK
COMPANY WEBSITE ADDRESS CONTAINING ALL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY AIM RULE 26:
www.garnerinternational.com
COMPANY BUSINESS (INCLUDING MAIN COUNTRY OF OPERATION) OR, IN THE CASE OF AN
INVESTING COMPANY, DETAILS OF ITS INVESTING STRATEGY). IF THE ADMISSION IS
SOUGHT AS A RESULT OF A REVERSE TAKE-OVER UNDER RULE 14, THIS SHOULD BE
STATED:
Garner is an executive search firm whose main country of operation is the UK.
Garner is already admitted to trading on AIM and admission is being sought
now in accordance with Rule 14 on the reverse acquisition of three companies
- BNB Recruitment Consultancy Limited, Bancomm and BNB Recruitment Overseas
Holdings Limited (together the "NB Companies"). The NB Companies are
similarly executive search firms (under the brand "Norman Broadbent") and
their main areas of operation is the UK, although they also have a presence
in the US, Canada, Dubai and Spain.
DETAILS OF SECURITIES TO BE ADMITTED INCLUDING ANY RESTRICTIONS AS TO
TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES (i.e. where known, number and type of shares,
nominal value and issue price to which it seeks admission and the number and
type to be held as treasury shares):
70,855,541 ordinary shares of 1 pence each at a placing price of 3 pence
each. No shares are held in treasury. The transaction will also see the
cancellation of the 1,043,566 Garner preference shares of 50 pence each which
are currently admitted to trading on AIM.
CAPITAL TO BE RAISED ON ADMISSION (IF APPLICABLE) AND ANTICIPATED MARKET
CAPITALISATION ON ADMISSION:
0.73m to be raised on admission. Market capitalisation on admission at the
placing price 2.2 million.
PERCENTAGE OF AIM SECURITIES NOT IN PUBLIC HANDS AT ADMISSION:
46.81% not in public hands (being the shares held by the directors as there
are no substantial shareholders).
DETAILS OF ANY OTHER EXCHANGE OR TRADING PLATFORM TO WHICH THE AIM SECURITIES
(OR OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY) ARE OR WILL BE ADMITTED OR TRADED:
N/A
FULL NAMES AND FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTORS AND PROPOSED DIRECTORS (underlining the
first name by which each is known or including any other name by which each
is known):
Andrew Charles Garner
Susan (Sue) Anne O'Brien
John Bartle
Richard Graham Robinson
Bruce Richard Lakefield
There are no changes to the constitution of the board as a consequence of the
Rule 14 Reverse. However, John Bartle will step down as Chairman, Andrew
Garner will become Chairman and Sue O'Brien will become Managing Director.
FULL NAMES AND HOLDINGS OF SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE
OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL, BEFORE AND AFTER ADMISSION (underlining the
first name by which each is known or including any other name by which each
is known):
Before After
CharlesAuld 0% 7.06%
RoyRobert Edward Stanley 11.27% 6.07%
TD Waterhouse Nominees 4.10% 2.21%
Barclayshare Nominees 3.87% 2.09%
Share Nominees Limited 4.03% 2.17%
HSDL Nominees Limited 3.37% 1.81%
NAMES OF ALL PERSONS TO BE DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCHEDULE 2, PARAGRAPH (H) OF THE AIM RULES:
Craigie Mains Limited has received a total of 14,679.12 (inc VAT) in connection with consultancy services
relating to a potential acquisition by Garner Plc.
1. ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING REFERENCE DATE
2. DATE TO WHICH THE MAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THE ADMISSION DOCUMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED (this may be
represented by unaudited interim financial information)
3. DATES BY WHICH IT MUST PUBLISH ITS FIRST THREE REPORTS PURSUANT TO AIM RULES 18 AND 19:
4. 31 December
5. The audited accounts for each of the three NB Companies are presented in the document for the years to 31
December 2005, 2006 and 2007 together with the unaudited interims to 30 June 2008 (Garner announced its unaudited
interims to June 2008 on 30 September 2008). The three years audited accounts to 31 December 2005, 2006 and 2007 in
relation to Garner are available on the company's website
6. The next report to be published by Garner Plc will be for the year to 31 December 2008 and must be
published by 30 June 2009, thereafter the interims to 30 June 2009 which are due by 30 September 2009 and lastly the 12
months to 31 December 2009 which is due by 30 June 2010.
EXPECTED ADMISSION DATE:
3 December 2008
NAME AND ADDRESS OF NOMINATED ADVISER:
Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited
46 Worship Street, London EC2A 2EA
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BROKER:
St Helen's Capital Plc
15 St Helen's Place, London EC3A 6DE
OTHER THAN IN THE CASE OF A QUOTED APPLICANT, DETAILS OF WHERE (POSTAL OR INTERNET ADDRESS) THE ADMISSION DOCUMENT
WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM, WITH A STATEMENT THAT THIS WILL CONTAIN FULL DETAILS ABOUT THE APPLICANT AND THE ADMISSION OF
ITS SECURITIES:
www.garnerinternational.com
Field Fisher Waterhouse, 35 Vine Street, London EC3N 2AA
DATE OF NOTIFICATION:
19 November 2008
NEW/ UPDATE:
New
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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07/11/2008 15:37 Garner PLC - Acquisition
Garner plc ("Garner" or "the Company")
Acquisition of Norman Broadbent for 5.5m, conversion of preference shares,
0.73m fundraising and adoption of new articles of association
Highlights
* Agreement to purchase the entire issued share capital of BNB Recruitment
Consultancy Limited, Bancomm Limited and BNB Recruitment Overseas Holdings
Limited (which together trade under the brand of `Norman Broadbent' in
relation to executive search and the provision of consultancy services in
assessment, training and development of staff and diversity management) for
an aggregate consideration of 5.5 million
* Conversion of all of the Company's Preference Shares into 8 Ordinary Shares
and 1 Deferred B Share, removing in aggregate 1.213 million of liabilities
from the Company
* Placing of 0.73m to fund costs associated with the Proposals
* Adoption of new articles of association
* Andrew Garner, the current Chief Executive of Garner to become Executive
Chairman and Sue O'Brien, the current Managing Director of Garner becomes
Group Managing Director
* Enlarged Group will provide executive search under two brands - Norman
Broadbent and Garner International - and seek to grow non-search services
Commenting, Andrew Garner, the Chief Executive of the Company, said:
"The acquisition of Norman Broadbent marks a significant step change in the
size and the prospects for Garner plc. The Directors believe that the
combination of Garner International and Norman Broadbent will make the Enlarged
Group one of the largest providers of executive search services in the UK. I am
delighted to be taking on the role and challenge of Executive Chairman for the
Enlarged Group with Sue O'Brien becoming Group Managing Director. We believe
that executive search, as opposed to volume recruitment services, is better
placed to withstand an economic downturn, with board members likely to be
looking to enhance or reconfigure the capability of their senior leadership
teams in this economic environment. We believe that the teams at Norman
Broadbent and Garner International are ready for this exciting challenge."
For further information contact:
Garner plc:
Andrew Garner, Chief Executive
Caroline Mallin, Communications Director
Tel: 020 7629 8822
Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited:
James Caithie
Antony Legge
Tel: 020 7492 4777
St Helen's Capital Plc:
Ruari McGirr
Mark Anwyl
Tel: 020 7628 5582
Garner plc
PROPOSED ACQUISITION, ADOPTION OF NEW ARTICLES, CONVERSION OF PREFERENCE
SHARES, PLACING, NOTICE OF EGM, NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING, AND ADMISSION OF THE
ENLARGED GROUP TO AIM
The Directors are pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a
conditional sale and purchase agreement for the entire issued share capital of
BNB Recruitment Consultancy Limited, Bancomm Limited and BNB Recruitment
Overseas Holdings Limited which together trade under the brand `Norman
Broadbent'.
Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement it is proposed that the
Company will acquire Norman Broadbent for a consideration of 5.5 million to be
satisfied in cash.
The Acquisition is categorised as a reverse takeover for the Company for the
purposes of the AIM Rules and as such requires the approval of the
Shareholders, which will be sought at the General Meeting to be held on 2
December 2008 at 10.15 a.m. (or, if later, immediately following the Class
Meeting convened for 10.00 a.m. on the same day.
The Company also announces that agreement has been reached with a majority of
the holders of Preference Shares for the conversion of all of the Preference
Shares into eight Ordinary Shares and one Deferred B Share for each Preference
Share converted. The Re-organisation requires the approval of members at the
General Meeting as well as the of the Preference Shareholders, which will be
sought at the Class Meeting to be held on 2 December 2008 at 10.00 a.m.
The Company further announces that it is carrying out a placing of 24,354,335
new Ordinary Shares at 3p per share. 0.47 million will be used to fund the
costs associated with the Proposals, while the remaining shares will be issued
in consideration of certain liabilities. Six per cent. of the Placing is being
issued to employees of the Enlarged Group in respect of part of their accrued
bonuses. Part of the Placing is conditional on completion of the Acquisition.
It is also proposed that new articles of association will be adopted by the
Company to take advantage of recent changes in English company law pursuant to
the implementation of the Companies Act 2006 as well as to reflect changes to
the Company's share capital arising from the Re-organisation.
The Acquisition and the Placing are conditional on, inter alia, the General
Meeting Resolutions being passed at the General Meeting and the Class Meeting
Resolutions being passed at the Class Meeting. Assuming the Resolutions are
passed, Admission is expected to occur on 3 December 2008.
The Company has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the
General Meeting Resolutions totalling, in aggregate, 61.82 per cent. of the
Issued Share Capital. The Company has received irrevocable undertakings to vote
in favour of the Class Meeting Resolutions totalling, in aggregate, 63.87 per
cent. of the Preference Shares.
Upon Admission, Andrew Garner, the current Chief Executive of Garner, will
become the Executive Chairman and Sue O'Brien, currently Managing Director of
Garner, will become Group Managing Director. John Bartle, the current
Non-executive Chairman will become the senior Non-executive director. No other
changes will be made to the Board as a result of the Acquisition.
Commenting on the announcement, Andrew Garner, the Chief Executive of the
Company said:
"The acquisition of Norman Broadbent marks a significant step change in the
size and the prospects for Garner plc. The Directors believe that the
combination of Garner International and Norman Broadbent will make the Enlarged
Group one of the largest providers of executive search services in the UK. I am
delighted to be taking on the role and challenge of Executive Chairman for the
Enlarged Group with Sue O'Brien becoming Group Managing Director. We believe
that executive search, as opposed to volume recruitment services, is better
placed to withstand an economic downturn, with board members likely to be
looking to enhance or reconfigure the capability of their senior leadership
teams in this economic environment. We believe that the teams at Norman
Broadbent and Garner International are ready for this exciting challenge."
Further details of the Proposals are set out in the Admission Document being
sent to Shareholders today, which is also available on the Company's web site,
www.garnerinternational.com.
Reasons for the Acquisition
The Group's primary business is the provision of executive search services. The
Group's trading subsidiary Garner International was established in 1997 by
Andrew Garner and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in 2000. The
Group has developed close ties with a number of blue-chip clients and has grown
organically over the last four years. However, it has 18 employees and its
clients have predominantly been restricted to the UK.
The Board has been investigating opportunities for acquisitive growth and
seeking to extend the Group's overseas operations and has identified the
acquisition of Norman Broadbent as potentially fundamentally changing the size
and scope of the Group's business. The Directors consider that the Norman
Broadbent brand is widely recognised and that it has a strong executive search
practice in a number of sectors which does not compete with the existing
business of the Group. As noted below, Norman Broadbent has in aggregate 48
employees and operates in the UK, USA, Canada and Dubai as well as having a
licensee in Spain.
The Directors believe that the Acquisition will enable the Enlarged Group,
which they intend will trade under both the Garner International and Norman
Broadbent brands, to attract new clients and strengthen existing client
relationships. The Directors believe that the Enlarged Group will be one of the
largest providers of executive search services in the UK.
Information on Garner
Garner International is an executive search business which was formed in 1997
by Andrew Garner. It was established with a vision to offer quality service to
clients on a selective and independent basis which avoided the conflicts of
interests which Mr Garner felt to be typical of the big firms. In 1998, the
Company, which at that time was called Upton and Southern Holdings PLC,
acquired 50.1 per cent. of Garner International. In 2000 the Company acquired
the remaining 49.9 per cent. of Garner International and was renamed
Constellation Corporation plc and was admitted to trading on AIM. In 2006 the
Company was renamed Garner plc.
The Group provides services in relation to the search for senior management and
director and board appointees. It also provides consultancy services in
relation to a range of human resources issues, including organisational
development, business process analysis and restructuring and executive
coaching. In the last two years the Group has worked for 60 clients, including
14 in the FTSE 250, 11 of which were in the FTSE100, in sectors including
retail, fast moving consumer goods, commercial property investment and
development, digital media, technology, airlines, academia, leisure and
financial services. At present Garner operates from a single location in London
and has 18 full-time employees.
Information on Norman Broadbent
The Norman Broadbent business was founded by David Norman and Miles Broadbent
in 1982 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2007.
Norman Broadbent has offices in London, Aberdeen, Birmingham and Leeds in the
UK. Norman Broadbent also operates in Toronto and Houston in North America and
in Dubai under the name Norman Broadbent International. Norman Broadbent has 48
employees. In the last two years 271 clients have utilised its executive search
service for over 500 roles in a variety of sectors including energy (oil and
gas), professional services, fast-moving consumer goods, banking and financial
services and pharmaceuticals.
BNBROH does not trade but holds a 20 per cent. stake in a Spanish company, NBS
Norman Broadbent SA. NBSA carries on business in Spain under the trading style
of Norman Broadbent International, which NBSA uses under licence.
Although the provision of executive search is responsible for significantly
more than half of the revenues of Norman Broadbent, interim management services
and the provision of consultancy services in assessment, training and
development of staff and diversity management together represent an important
element of the Norman Broadbent business.
Details of the Acquisition
On 7 November 2008, the Company entered into the Acquisition Agreement,
pursuant to which it agreed to acquire Norman Broadbent. The Company has agreed
to pay in aggregate a purchase price of 5,500,000 to BNB for Norman Broadbent,
with such amount being subject to adjustment based on the net asset position of
Norman Broadbent as at 30 September 2008 and an adjustment for certain unpaid
debts. The Acquisition Agreement, the terms of which are set out in more detail
in the Admission Document, is conditional, inter alia, upon shareholder
approval and Admission.
The purchase price is to be paid in the following manner:
* 200,000 in cash immediately on completion of the Acquisition at the time of
Admission;
* certain royalty payments and dividends due from NBSA to BNBROH will be paid
directly to BNB, net of tax (the "NBSA Payments");
* quarterly payments over a period of up to 60 months from 30 September 2008,
based on a proportion of actual revenues as against projected revenues of the
Enlarged Group.
In the event that the amount of the quarterly payments paid by the Company to
BNB under the Acquisition Agreement and the NBSA Payments received by BNB
during the period of 30 months from 30 September 2008 is less than 2,800,000
then the Company must pay the full amount of the shortfall at that time. If the
total amount received by BNB under the Acquisition Agreement (including the
NBSA Payments) during the period of 60 months from 30 September 2008 is less
than 5,500,000 (subject to any net asset adjustment and adjustment for unpaid
debts) then the Company must pay the full amount of the shortfall at that time.
If any shortfall payment due in respect of the period of 30 months from 30
September 2008 is not paid in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition
Agreement then BNB will have the right to acquire all intellectual property
rights relating to the Norman Broadbent name and brand for 1.
Andrew Garner has personally agreed to guarantee the payment of the first
500,000 due to BNB in respect of the purchase price. This guarantee reduces on
a pound-for-pound basis for the purchase consideration received by BNB over the
first 1,000,000.
Details of the Re-organisation
History of the Preference Shares
The Company issued a number of convertible preference shares prior to 2003. As
at the date of this announcement the Company has in issue 1,043,566 Preference
Shares. The period for conversion of these shares has now passed and
accordingly they are no longer convertible. The Preference Shares carried the
right to receive a fixed cumulative preferential dividend. That right ended on
30 June 2003. The Company has not had sufficient distributable reserves to
declare the fixed cumulative preferential dividend which accrued up to 30 June
2003. Accordingly a debt has been accrued to the Preference Shareholders in
relation to the unpaid preferential dividend.
In addition the Company should have redeemed any unconverted Preference Shares
on 30 June 2003. The amount payable on redemption would have been the sum of
100 pence per Preference Share plus any arrears or accruals of the preferential
dividend. The Company had insufficient distributable reserves at 30 June 2003
and so redemption did not take place. The redemption price payable in respect
of the Preference Shares and the accrued preferential dividend as at 30 June
2003 are currently carried as liabilities on the Company's balance sheet and
total approximately 1,213,000.
Proposed Conversion
Following discussions with certain of the Preference Shareholders, the Company
is proposing to convert the Preference Shares on the following basis:
For each Preference Share:
eight Ordinary Shares and one Deferred B Share
Because the aggregate nominal value of the shares in the Company must be the
same following the conversion of the Preference Shares to avoid an unlawful
reduction of capital, in addition to eight Ordinary Shares each Preference
Share will also be converted into a single Deferred B Share. The rights
attaching to the Deferred B Shares are summarised in the Admission Document.
The Deferred B Shares will not be admitted to trading on AIM and have no real
value.
To become effective, the Re-organisation requires the approval of special
resolutions of Shareholders at the General Meeting in respect of the conversion
of the Preference Shares and the adoption of the New Articles.
As the rights of Preference Shareholders are affected, the Re-organisation also
requires the approval of extraordinary resolutions of Preference Shareholders
at the Class Meeting in respect of the variation of their rights arising from
the conversion of the Preference Shares and the adoption of the New Articles.
Following the Re-organisation, the Preference Shareholders will, in aggregate,
hold 8,348,528 Ordinary Shares representing approximately 11.8 per cent. of the
Enlarged Share Capital. Upon completion of the Re-organisation, the liability
of 1.213 million referred to above will cease to exist and will be removed
from the Company's balance sheet.
Upon completion of the Re-organisation the Preference Shares will cease to
exist and will no longer be admitted to trading upon AIM.
Details of, and reasons for, the Placing
The Company has conditionally raised 0.73 million (before expenses) through
the placing to certain of the Directors, certain Shareholders, certain
employees of the Enlarged Group and a new investor for 24,354,335 Placing
Shares at 3 pence per share. The proceeds of the Placing, which is subject to
shareholder approval, will be used principally to help fund the costs of the
Proposals. The funds raised consist of cash subscriptions of approximately
472,500 with the remainder relating to the release of certain liabilities.
Andrew Garner, Sue O'Brien, John Bartle and Richard Robinson have each agreed
to participate in the Placing. As part of the Placing, Andrew Garner, John
Bartle and Bruce Lakefield are being issued in aggregate 6,216,673 Placing
Shares (approximately 29 per cent. of the Placing Shares) as consideration for
the release of certain loans and deposits owed by the Company, further details
of which are set out in the Admission Document.
In aggregate, approximately 1,506,686 Placing Shares (approximately six per
cent. of the Placing) are being issued to employees of the Enlarged Group in
respect of 45,200 of accrued bonuses.
The Placing Shares will, upon Admission, rank pari passu in all respects and
will rank in full for any dividends and other distributions thereafter
declared, paid or made in respect of the Ordinary Shares in issue following
Admission.
The funds raised through the Placing will cover the expenses incurred by the
Company in relation to the Proposals. In addition, the Placing will enable the
Company to satisfy certain loans and deposits as referred to above.
Issue of Warrants
In consideration of services provided in connection with the Proposals the
Company has granted, conditional on Admission, a total of 3,350,001 Warrants.
The Warrants entitle the holder to subscribe for Ordinary Shares at a price of
3 pence per share until 31 December 2011. A summary of the terms of the
Warrants is set out in the Admission Document.
Of the 3,350,001 Warrants granted, 850,000 have been granted to Dowgate,
1,666,667 have been granted to Sue O'Brien and 833,334 have been granted to
Anderson Barrowcliff LLP, of which Richard Robinson is a member.
New Articles
The Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the Company to take
advantage of recent changes in English company law and propose to adopt the New
Articles at the General Meeting. The New Articles reflect, inter alia, the
conversion of the Preference Shares and the rights attaching to the Deferred B
Shares created pursuant to the Re-organisation and certain amendments to the
Existing Articles in order to ensure the Company complies with and benefits
from the provisions of the 2006 Act and the DTR and, in particular, those
provisions relating to electronic communications with shareholders, notifiable
interests in shares and the authorisation of directors' conflicts of interests.
Copies of the Existing Articles and the New Articles are available for
inspection during normal business hours at the registered office of the Company
until the date of the General Meeting and are available upon request from the
Company Secretary. Copies will also be available at the General Meeting until
its conclusion.
The material provisions of the New Articles and material differences between
the Existing Articles and the New Articles are summarised in the Admission
Document.
Directors
The Proposals do not entail any new appointments to the Board. However upon
Admission Andrew Garner will become Executive Chairman and Sue O'Brien will
become Group Managing Director. John Bartle, the current Non-executive
Chairman, will become the senior non-executive director.
General Meeting
An extraordinary general meeting of the Company will take place at 10.15 a.m.
on 2 December 2008 (or, if later, immediately after the Class Meeting). The
Notice of General Meeting is set out in the Admission Document. At the General
Meeting the following Resolutions, conditional in each case upon Admission,
will be proposed:
1. to approve the Acquisition;
2. to grant authority to the Directors to allot shares as follows:
(a) to grant the Directors the authority to issue and allot new Ordinary Shares
up to a nominal value of 513,230 under section 80 of the 1985 Act;
(b) to grant the Directors the authority pursuant to section 95 of the 1985 Act
to allot equity shares for cash without the application of section 89 of the
1985 Act requiring the Company to offer shares to existing shareholders on a
pre-emptive basis in respect of:
(i) the issue of the Placing Shares;
(ii) the grant of up to 3,350,001 Warrants;
(iii) offers of Ordinary Shares to existing Ordinary Shareholders where such
offer is made in proportion to existing holdings; and
(iv) the issue of new Ordinary Shares up to a nominal value of 177,138.85
other than in accordance with paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, which represents
approximately 25 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital.
3. to approve the Re-organisation; and
4. to adopt the New Articles.
To be passed, Resolution 1 requires a majority of not less than 50 per cent. of
the Shareholders voting in person or by proxy in favour of the Resolution.
Resolutions 2 to 4 are proposed as special resolutions and will therefore
require 75 per cent. or more of Shareholders voting in person or by proxy in favour
of those Resolutions.
Class Meeting
A separate class meeting of the Preference Shareholders will take place at
10.00 a.m. on 2 December 2008. The Notice of Class Meeting is set out in the
Admission Document. At the Class Meeting resolutions will be proposed to
approve the Re-organisation.
The Class Meeting Resolutions are proposed as extraordinary resolutions and
will therefore require 75 per cent. or more of Preference Shareholders voting
in person or by proxy in favour of the Class Meeting Resolutions.
The approval of the Resolutions will mean that the Preference Shares will be
converted into Ordinary Shares and Deferred B Shares and the Preference Shares
will cease to be admitted to trading on AIM.
Irrevocable Undertakings
The Directors have irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the General
Meeting Resolutions in respect of their own shareholdings, which in aggregate
amount to 43.47 per cent. of the Issued Share Capital.
In addition to these undertakings, a number of the Company's other Shareholders
have also given irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the General
Meeting Resolutions. In aggregate the undertakings held by the Company as at
the date of this announcement (including the undertakings received from the
Directors referred to above) amount to 61.82 per cent. of the Issued Share
Capital.
The Company has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the
Class Meeting Resolutions from a number of the Preference Shareholders. In
aggregate the undertakings held by the Company as at the date of this
announcement amount to 63.87 per cent. of the Preference Shares.
Related Party Transactions
The participation by certain parties in the Placing and the issue of New
Ordinary Shares to certain parties as set out in the Admission Document each
constitutes a related party transaction as follows:
(i) the issue of Placing Shares to John Bartle, Andrew Garner and Richard
Robinson;
(ii) the issue of Warrants to Anderson Barrowcliff LLP and Sue O'Brien;
(iii) the provision by Andrew Garner of a loan facility of up to 500,000 to
the Company in certain circumstances; and
(iv) the issue of Conversion Shares to J Sharma, being a substantial
shareholder under the AIM Rules.
Where a company whose shares are traded on AIM enters into a related party
transaction, the directors independent to the transaction are required to
consider, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, that the terms
of the transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as its shareholders are
concerned.
The Independent Director, having consulted with Dowgate, the Company's
nominated adviser, considers that the terms of each of the related party
transactions listed above are fair and reasonable insofar as Shareholders are
concerned.
Admission to AIM
Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for all the Enlarged
Share Capital to be admitted to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission
will become effective and dealings in the Enlarged Share Capital will commence
on 3 December 2008, assuming that the Resolutions are all passed.
Admission and Placing Statistics
Placing Price 3p
Number of Ordinary Shares in issue at 38,152,678
the date of this announcement
Number of Preference Shares in issue at 1,043,566
the date of this document
Number of Conversion Shares resulting 8,348,528
from the Re-organisation
Number of Placing Shares to be issued 24,354,335
Enlarged Share Capital Assuming 70,855,541
completion of the Placing
Percentage of the Enlarged Share 34.4%
Capital represented by the Placing
Shares
Percentage of the Enlarged Share 11.8%
Capital represented by the Conversion
Shares
Number of Warrants in issue immediately 3,350,001
following Admission
Number of Options in issue immediately 2,557,199
following Admission
Market capitalisation of the Enlarged 2,216,666
Share Capital of the Company at the
Placing Price
Gross proceeds of the Placing 730,630
Estimated net proceeds receivable by 233,000
the Company pursuant to the Placing
after expenses (excluding VAT)
Expected Timetable of Principal Events
Publication of Admission Document 7 November 2008
Latest time and date for receipt of 10.00 a.m. on 30 November 2008
completed blue Form of Proxy to be
valid at the Class Meeting
Latest time and date for receipt of 10.15 a.m. on 30 November 2008
completed white Form of Proxy to be
valid at the General Meeting
Record date for Re-organisation 5.30 p.m. on 28 November 2008
Class Meeting 10.00 a.m. on 2 December 2008
General Meeting of the Company 10.15 a.m. on 2 December 2008
Cancellation of dealings on AIM of the 5.00 p.m. on 2 December 2008
Ordinary Shares and the Preference
Shares
Admission effective and dealings 8.00 a.m. on 3 December 2008
commence in the Ordinary Shares on AIM
Expected date of delivery of Ordinary 8.00 a.m. on 3 December 2008
Shares into CREST accounts
Definitive share certificates 4 December 2008
dispatched in respect of the Placing
Shares
Definitive share certificates 10 December 2008
dispatched in respect of the Conversion
Shares
If any details contained in the timetable above should change, the revised
times and dates will be notified by means of an announcement through a
Regulatory Information Service.
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement, unless the
context requires otherwise:
"1985 Act" the Companies Act 1985
"2006 Act" the Companies Act 2006
"Acquisition" the proposed acquisition of the NB
Companies by Garner pursuant to the
Acquisition Agreement
"Acquisition Agreement" the conditional agreement dated 7
November 2008, entered into between,
inter alia, (1) BNB and (2) the
Company, further details of which are
set out in the Admission Document
"Admission" the admission of the Enlarged Share
Capital to trading on AIM becoming
effective in accordance with the AIM
Rules
"Admission Agreement" the conditional agreement, dated 7
November 2008, entered into by (1) the
Company, (2) certain of the Directors
and (3) Dowgate (relating to Admission,
further details of which are set out in
the Admission Document
"Admission Document" the admission document published by the
Company on 7 November 2008, copies of
which have been sent to Shareholders
and which may be downloaded from the
Company's website
"AIM" the market of that name, operated by
the London Stock Exchange
"AIM Rules" the AIM Rules for Companies published
by the London Stock Exchange
"Articles" the Existing Articles or the New
Articles (as the context requires)
"BNB" BNB Recruitment Solutions plc, a
company incorporated and registered in
England and Wales with registered
number 1660786, the parent company of,
inter alia, the NB Companies
"Bancomm" Bancomm Limited, a company incorporated
and registered in England and Wales
with registered number 4289307, a
subsidiary of BNB
"BNB Group" BNB and its subsidiaries, including
inter alia the NB Companies
"BNBRC" BNB Recruitment Consultancy Limited, a
company incorporated and registered in
England and Wales with registered
number 2136204, a subsidiary of BNB
"BNBROH" BNB Recruitment Overseas Holdings
Limited, a company incorporated and
registered in England and Wales with
registered number 2694164, a subsidiary
of BNB
"Board" or "Directors" the directors of the Company as at the
date of this announcement, being:
John Bartle, Non-executive Chairman
Andrew Garner, Chief Executive
Sue O'Brien, Managing Director
Bruce Lakefield, Non-executive
Richard Robinson, Non-executive (and
Company Secretary)
"Class Meeting" the separate general meeting of
Preference Shareholders which will take
place at 10.00 a.m. at the offices of
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, 35 Vine
Street, London EC3N 2AA on 2 December
2008, to consider, and if thought fit,
pass the Class Meeting Resolutions
"Class Meeting Resolutions" the resolutions set out in the Notice
of Class Meeting
"Company" or "Garner" Garner plc, a company incorporated and
registered in England and Wales with
registered number 318267
"Company's website" www.garnerinternational.com
"Conversion Shares" the 8,348,528 new Ordinary Shares
resulting from the conversion of the
Preference Shares pursuant to the
Re-organisation
"CREST" the relevant system (as defined in the
CREST Regulations) in respect of which
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited is the
operator (as defined in the CREST
Regulations)
"CREST Regulations" the Uncertificated Securities
Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755), as
amended
"Deferred B Shares" the deferred `B' shares of 42p par
value each in the capital of the
Company to be created pursuant to the
Re-organisation
"Dowgate" Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited,
nominated adviser to the Company
"DTR" the Disclosure Rules and the
Transparency Rules being the Rules
published by the FSA from time to time
"Enlarged Group" the Group as enlarged by the
Acquisition
"Enlarged Share Capital" the 70,855,541 Ordinary Shares in issue
immediately following Admission, being
the Issued Share Capital, the Placing
Shares and the Conversion Shares
"Existing Articles" the memorandum of association and the
articles of association of the Company
as at the date of this announcement
"FSA" the Financial Services Authority of the
United Kingdom
"Garner International" Garner International Limited, a company
incorporated and registered in England
and Wales with registered number
3326763
"General Meeting" an extraordinary general meeting of
Garner which will take place at 10.15
a.m. at the offices of Field Fisher
Waterhouse LLP, 35 Vine Street, London
EC3N 2AA on 2 December 2008 or, if
later, immediately following the Class
Meeting, to consider and, if thought
fit, approve the General Meeting
Resolutions
"General Meeting Resolutions" the resolutions set out in the Notice
of General Meeting relating, inter
alia, to the approval of the
Acquisition and the Re-organisation
"Group" the Company and its subsidiaries:
Garner International and Constellation
Consulting Limited
"Independent Director" Bruce Lakefield
"Issued Share Capital" the 38,152,678 Ordinary Shares in issue
as at the date of this announcement
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc
"NB Companies" or "Norman Broadbent" BNBRC, BNBROH and Bancomm
"NBSA" NBS Norman Broadbent SA, a company
incorporated and registered in Spain
"New Articles" the proposed articles of association,
which are to be adopted by the Company
pursuant to the Resolutions
"New Ordinary Shares" the Conversion Shares and the Placing
Shares
"Notice of Class Meeting" the notice convening the Class Meeting
which is set out at the end of the
Admission Document
"Notice of General Meeting" the notice convening the General
Meeting which is set out at the end of
the Admission Document
"Options" options to subscribe for Ordinary
Shares granted prior to the date of
this announcement
"Ordinary Shares" ordinary shares of 1p par value each in
the capital of the Company
"Ordinary Shareholders" holders of Ordinary Shares
"Placees" subscribers for Placing Shares pursuant
to the Placing
"Placing" the conditional placing of the Placing
Shares pursuant to the Placing Letters
"Placing Letters" the letters between the Company and the
Placees relating to the subscription
for the Placing Shares conditional upon
Admission
"Placing Price" 3p per Placing Share
"Placing Shares" the 24,354,541 new Ordinary Shares to
be issued to the Placees pursuant to
the Placing
"Preference Shares" preference shares of 50p par value each
in the capital of the Company
"Preference Shareholders" holders of Preference Shares
"Proposals" the Acquisition, the Placing,
Admission, the Re-organisation and the
adoption of the New Articles as further
described in the Admission Document
"Regulatory Information Service" a regulatory information service
provider approved by the FSA
"Re-organisation" the conversion of the Preference Shares
into new Ordinary Shares and Deferred B
Shares as set out in the Resolutions
"Resolutions" the General Meeting Resolutions and the
Class Meeting Resolution
"Shareholders" Ordinary Shareholders and Preference
Shareholders
"Warrants" warrants entitling the registered
holder to subscribe for Ordinary Shares
at 3p per share as constituted by an
instrument dated 7 November 2008, the
terms of which are summarised in the
Admission Document
END
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30/09/2008 07:26 Garner PLC - Half-yearly Report
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to announce the interim results for a period in which, despite the
adverse economic conditions, our company has continued to make a profit after
tax.
Highlights
* Gross revenues down 24% to 1,259,000
* Company continues to be profitable
* A record of 18 new clients signed up
* Third quarter trading marginally ahead of last year
* Alliance signed with Rhodes Associates, a top ten US executive search firm
As I indicated at the time of the final results in March 2008, our clients were
uncertain as to their requirements for the first six months and the result was
that turnover for the first half declined 24 per cent. to 1,259,000. Whilst
this was in line with the prevailing economic conditions and our expectations
it provided a challenge to the Company and its ability to withstand such
adverse trading. I am pleased to say that in spite of the decline in revenues,
our determined costs management has enabled us to remain profitable, with an
operating profit in the first six months of 72,000 (2007: 367,201), a pre tax
profit of 29,000 (2007: 312,744) and a post tax profit of 20,000 (2007:
219,000).
At our AGM earlier this year we stated our objective was to diversify our
client base and not be reliant on one particular sector. This strategy has
proved to be successful. Since the beginning of 2008 we have engaged with 18
new clients, which is a record in the history of our Company. More importantly,
these new clients are from such diverse sectors that, as we stand, nearly 70%
of our revenue is generated outside financial services.
One of the key strengths of Garner has been its ability to build long term
relationships with its clients and thereby generate high levels of repeat
business. The objective for the Garner team now, is to maintain that
performance and to convert new clients into repeat business. The third quarter
of 2008 has delivered strong performance and is ahead of the same period last
year, albeit marginally. We anticipate, by nurturing our new clients, revenues
for the whole of the second half of the year will be ahead of the first, which
is the opposite of last year and hopefully returns Garner to the growth trend
achieved in recent years.
On 21 May we announced the hiring of two replacement consultants, to start in
the second half, in line with our diversification strategy. I am pleased to say
that the HR practice is now making a significant contribution to our
performance and we have also been able to expand our offering to financial
services clients to include IT and back office senior management and functional
roles, which is an area that is still in demand despite the recent market
turmoil. We also referred to the Digital Media practice, which has been
developed using existing internal resources and is proving to be a successful
addition to our portfolio.
Our balance sheet position has shown a positive movement from total liabilities
of 1,301,000 at 31 December 2007, to 1,271,000 as at 30 June 2008. However
the challenging trading conditions of the first half had an adverse effect on
our cash flow. The improvement in business towards the end of the period, as
demonstrated by the significant increase in our debtor book, helped partially
to offset this. The result of this was an increase in net debt to 1,415,000
from 1,183,000 as at 31 December 2007. Overall, our cash position is well
controlled, debtors are being well managed and we continue to trade within our
facilities.
In line with our focus on behalf of shareholders to improve our balance sheet
position I am particularly pleased to announce that an agreement has been
reached in principle, subject to shareholder approval, whereby the Preference
Shareholders should be able to convert their holdings to Ordinary Shares. This
will be put for approval by shareholders and Preference Shareholders at a
forthcoming EGM, details of which we expect to issue in the near future. This
would remove 1.213m of liabilities from the balance sheet.
We have spoken before of building an alliance with an American search firm to
extend our geographical reach. This has been accomplished and I am delighted to
announce a new relationship with Rhodes Associates based in New York and San
Francisco ("Rhodes"). Rhodes, one of the top ten US firms by revenue, is a
similar business to ours and clients have responded very favourably to the
alliance. We will now be able to offer a presence in North America and provide
a reciprocal presence for Rhodes in Europe. Revenues generated by the
arrangement will be split between the two parties and, with no additional
costs, so the benefit will flow straight through to our profits.
There are currently a number of acquisition opportunities in our sector that
would complement our growth strategy and enhance our earnings stream. The board
has been involved in several preliminary discussions to date and continues to
explore opportunities as they arise.
The executive management and team at Garner continue to be enthusiastic and
driven to succeed, which, to my mind says a great deal in today's business
environment.
J Bartle
Chairman
Contact details:
Garner plc
Andrew Garner +44 (0) 207 629 8822
www.garnerinternational.com
Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited
David Newton +44 (0) 207 492 4770
www.dowgate.co.uk
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31 December
June 2008 June 2007 2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000
REVENUE 1,259 1,662 3,122
COST OF OPERATIONS (1,187) (1,295) (2,513)
GROUP OPERATING PROFIT 72 367 609
Net finance costs (43) (54) (115)
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 29 313 494
BEFORE TAXATION
Tax expense (9) (94) (92)
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 20 219 402
Earnings per share - basic 0.05p 0.58p 1.06p
Earnings per share - diluted 0.05p 0.58p 1.01p
All activity arose from continuing
operations
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 JUNE 2008
As at 30 As at 30 As at 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000 000 000 000
Goodwill 959 959 959
Property, plant and 14 22 14
equipment
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 973 981 973
Trade and other receivables 1,069 991 812
Cash and cash equivalents - - 56
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,069 991 868
TOTAL ASSETS 2,042 1,972 1,841
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES (2,990) (3,035) (2,819)
Non-current liabilities (323) (421) (323)
TOTAL LIABILITIES (3,313) (3,456) (3,142)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL (1,271) (1,484) (1,301)
LIABILITIES
Issued share capital 4,944 4,942 4,942
Share premium account 3,853 3,845 3,845
Retained earnings (10,068) (10,271) (10,088)
TOTAL EQUITY (1,271) (1,484) (1,301)
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS AND
NOTES
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Notes 000 000 000
Net cash from operating activities (i) (192) 12 223
Cash flows from investing
activites and servicing of finance
Interest paid (43) (54) (115)
Payments to acquire tangible (3) - (2)
assets
Net cash used in investing (46) (54) (117)
activites
Cash flows from financing
activities
Net cash inflow from equity 10 - -
placings
Repayment of secured loans - (112) (181)
Payment/(repayment) of advances 90 - (31)
from directors
Increase in invoice discounting 78 (9) 187
Net cash from financing activities 178 (121) (25)
Net increase in cash and cash (60) (163) 81
equivalents
Net cash and cash equivalents at 56 (25) (25)
beginning of period
Net cash and cash equivalents at (4) (188) 56
end of period
Analysis of net funds
Cash and cash equivalents - - 56
Bank overdraft (4) (188) (2)
(4) (188) 54
Borrowings due within one year (932) (634) (848)
Borrowings due after one year (323) (503) (323)
Directors loan account (156) (97) (66)
Net funds (1,415) (1,422) (1,183)
Note (i)
Reconciliation of operating profit
to net cash from operating
activities
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000
Operating profit 72 367 609
Depreciation of property plant and 3 3 4
equipment
Amortisation of loan arrangements 3 - 3
fees
(Increase) in trade and other (257) (320) (144)
receivables
(Decrease) in trade and other 77 (38) (108)
payables
Taxation paid (90) - (141)
Net cash from operating activities (192) 12 223
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM REPORT
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The results for the six months ended 30 June 2008, which are unaudited, have
been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial information contained in this interim report has been prepared in
accordance with the accounting policies as set out in the Company's accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2007, and utilises accounting policies
consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards adopted for use in
the European Union ("IFRS").
The financial information set out in this document has not been audited or
reviewed by our auditors and neither this interim report nor the financial
information contained in it constitutes statutory accounts of the Company
within the meaning of section 240(5) of the Companies Act 1985.
2. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and of its
subsidiary undertaking Garner International Limited, a company incorporated in
England and Wales. Profits or losses on intra-group transactions are eliminated
in full.
3. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
The calculation of the earnings per share is based on the profit attributable
to ordinary shareholders of 20,000 (2007: 219,000) and the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, being 38,061,315 (2007:
37,968,937).
4. COPIES OF THE UNAUDITED INTERIM REPORT
Copies of this report are available on request from the Company's registered
office at 6 Derby Street, London, W1J 7AD and on the web site
www.garnerinternational.com.
END
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30/09/2008 07:15 Garner PLC - Half-yearly Report
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to announce the interim results for a period in which, despite the
adverse economic conditions, our company has continued to make a profit after
tax.
Highlights
* Gross revenues down 24% to 1,259,000
* Company continues to be profitable
* A record of 18 new clients signed up
* Third quarter trading marginally ahead of last year
* Alliance signed with Rhodes Associates, a top ten US executive search firm
As I indicated at the time of the final results in March 2008, our clients were
uncertain as to their requirements for the first six months and the result was
that turnover for the first half declined 24 per cent. to 1,259,000. Whilst
this was in line with the prevailing economic conditions and our expectations
it provided a challenge to the Company and its ability to withstand such
adverse trading. I am pleased to say that in spite of the decline in revenues,
our determined costs management has enabled us to remain profitable, with an
operating profit in the first six months of 72,000 (2007: 367,201), a pre tax
profit of 29,000 (2007: 312,744) and a post tax profit of 20,000 (2007:
219,000).
At our AGM earlier this year we stated our objective was to diversify our
client base and not be reliant on one particular sector. This strategy has
proved to be successful. Since the beginning of 2008 we have engaged with 18
new clients, which is a record in the history of our Company. More importantly,
these new clients are from such diverse sectors that, as we stand, nearly 70%
of our revenue is generated outside financial services.
One of the key strengths of Garner has been its ability to build long term
relationships with its clients and thereby generate high levels of repeat
business. The objective for the Garner team now, is to maintain that
performance and to convert new clients into repeat business. The third quarter
of 2008 has delivered strong performance and is ahead of the same period last
year, albeit marginally. We anticipate, by nurturing our new clients, revenues
for the whole of the second half of the year will be ahead of the first, which
is the opposite of last year and hopefully returns Garner to the growth trend
achieved in recent years.
On 21 May we announced the hiring of two replacement consultants, to start in
the second half, in line with our diversification strategy. I am pleased to say
that the HR practice is now making a significant contribution to our
performance and we have also been able to expand our offering to financial
services clients to include IT and back office senior management and functional
roles, which is an area that is still in demand despite the recent market
turmoil. We also referred to the Digital Media practice, which has been
developed using existing internal resources and is proving to be a successful
addition to our portfolio.
Our balance sheet position has shown a positive movement from total liabilities
of 1,301,000 at 31 December 2007, to 1,271,000 as at 30 June 2008. However
the challenging trading conditions of the first half had an adverse effect on
our cash flow. The improvement in business towards the end of the period, as
demonstrated by the significant increase in our debtor book, helped partially
to offset this. The result of this was an increase in net debt to 1,415,000
from 1,183,000 as at 31 December 2007. Overall, our cash position is well
controlled, debtors are being well managed and we continue to trade within our
facilities.
In line with our focus on behalf of shareholders to improve our balance sheet
position I am particularly pleased to announce that an agreement has been
reached in principle, subject to shareholder approval, whereby the Preference
Shareholders should be able to convert their holdings to Ordinary Shares. This
will be put for approval by shareholders and Preference Shareholders at a
forthcoming EGM, details of which we expect to issue in the near future. This
would remove 1.213m of liabilities from the balance sheet.
We have spoken before of building an alliance with an American search firm to
extend our geographical reach. This has been accomplished and I am delighted to
announce a new relationship with Rhodes Associates based in New York and San
Francisco ("Rhodes"). Rhodes, one of the top ten US firms by revenue, is a
similar business to ours and clients have responded very favourably to the
alliance. We will now be able to offer a presence in North America and provide
a reciprocal presence for Rhodes in Europe. Revenues generated by the
arrangement will be split between the two parties and, with no additional
costs, so the benefit will flow straight through to our profits.
There are currently a number of acquisition opportunities in our sector that
would complement our growth strategy and enhance our earnings stream. The board
has been involved in several preliminary discussions to date and continues to
explore opportunities as they arise.
The executive management and team at Garner continue to be enthusiastic and
driven to succeed, which, to my mind says a great deal in today's business
environment.
J Bartle
Chairman
Contact details:
Garner plc
Andrew Garner +44 (0) 207 629 8822
www.garnerinternational.com
Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited
David Newton +44 (0) 207 492 4770
www.dowgate.co.uk
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31 December
June 2008 June 2007 2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000
REVENUE 1,259 1,662 3,122
COST OF OPERATIONS (1,187) (1,295) (2,513)
GROUP OPERATING PROFIT 72 367 609
Net finance costs (43) (54) (115)
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 29 313 494
BEFORE TAXATION
Tax expense (9) (94) (92)
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 20 219 402
Earnings per share - basic 0.05p 0.58p 1.06p
Earnings per share - diluted 0.05p 0.58p 1.01p
All activity arose from continuing
operations
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 JUNE 2008
As at 30 As at 30 As at 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000 000 000 000
Goodwill 959 959 959
Property, plant and 14 22 14
equipment
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 973 981 973
Trade and other receivables 1,069 991 812
Cash and cash equivalents - - 56
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,069 991 868
TOTAL ASSETS 2,042 1,972 1,841
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES (2,990) (3,035) (2,819)
Non-current liabilities (323) (421) (323)
TOTAL LIABILITIES (3,313) (3,456) (3,142)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL (1,271) (1,484) (1,301)
LIABILITIES
Issued share capital 4,944 4,942 4,942
Share premium account 3,853 3,845 3,845
Retained earnings (10,068) (10,271) (10,088)
TOTAL EQUITY (1,271) (1,484) (1,301)
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS AND
NOTES
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Notes 000 000 000
Net cash from operating activities (i) (192) 12 223
Cash flows from investing
activites and servicing of finance
Interest paid (43) (54) (115)
Payments to acquire tangible (3) - (2)
assets
Net cash used in investing (46) (54) (117)
activites
Cash flows from financing
activities
Net cash inflow from equity 10 - -
placings
Repayment of secured loans - (112) (181)
Payment/(repayment) of advances 90 - (31)
from directors
Increase in invoice discounting 78 (9) 187
Net cash from financing activities 178 (121) (25)
Net increase in cash and cash (60) (163) 81
equivalents
Net cash and cash equivalents at 56 (25) (25)
beginning of period
Net cash and cash equivalents at (4) (188) 56
end of period
Analysis of net funds
Cash and cash equivalents - - 56
Bank overdraft (4) (188) (2)
(4) (188) 54
Borrowings due within one year (932) (634) (848)
Borrowings due after one year (323) (503) (323)
Directors loan account (156) (97) (66)
Net funds (1,415) (1,422) (1,183)
Note (i)
Reconciliation of operating profit
to net cash from operating
activities
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31
June 2008 June 2007 December
2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
000 000 000
Operating profit 72 367 609
Depreciation of property plant and 3 3 4
equipment
Amortisation of loan arrangements 3 - 3
fees
(Increase) in trade and other (257) (320) (144)
receivables
(Decrease) in trade and other 77 (38) (108)
payables
Taxation paid (90) - (141)
Net cash from operating activities (192) 12 223
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM REPORT
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The results for the six months ended 30 June 2008, which are unaudited, have
been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial information contained in this interim report has been prepared in
accordance with the accounting policies as set out in the Company's accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2007, and utilises accounting policies
consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards adopted for use in
the European Union ("IFRS").
The financial information set out in this document has not been audited or
reviewed by our auditors and neither this interim report nor the financial
information contained in it constitutes statutory accounts of the Company
within the meaning of section 240(5) of the Companies Act 1985.
2. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and of its
subsidiary undertaking Garner International Limited, a company incorporated in
England and Wales. Profits or losses on intra-group transactions are eliminated
in full.
3. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
The calculation of the earnings per share is based on the profit attributable
to ordinary shareholders of 20,000 (2007: 219,000) and the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, being 38,061,315 (2007:
37,968,937).
4. COPIES OF THE UNAUDITED INTERIM REPORT
Copies of this report are available on request from the Company's registered
office at 6 Derby Street, London, W1J 7AD and on the web site
www.garnerinternational.com.
END
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21/05/2008 16:57 Garner PLC - Result of AGM
21 May 2008
Garner Plc
Result of AGM
At the AGM of Garner plc held today, all resolutions were passed.
For further information please contact:
Andrew Garner Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Jim McGeever / Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited 020 7492 4777
Antony Legge
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital 020 7628 5582
or on the Company's web site, at www.garnerinternational.com.
END
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21/05/2008 16:53 Garner PLC - Launch Of HR Practice
21 May 2008
Garner Plc ("Garner" or the "Company")
Launch of Specialist HR Practice
In the Company's final results on 28 March 2008, the Chairman's statement made
reference to selective growth in the number of consultants with particular
focus on two new practice areas: HR and Digital Media.
The Company is pleased to announce today that it has hired Margaret Edge to
lead the new specialist HR practice. Margaret has over twenty years experience
in executive recruitment and most recently was the Head of resourcing and
Development at Sainsbury's.
The Company has also appointed Conrad Hills to its financial services practice.
Conrad, who was a partner at Boyden UK, has extensive experience in the
financial services sector and his previous clients include several FTSE 100
companies.
The Company continues to make progress in the creation of a Digital Media
practice and hopes to make a further announcement in due course.
Commenting upon the appointments, Andrew Garner, Chief Executive, said:
"We are delighted that Margaret and Conrad have agreed to join the team at
Garner International. Financial Services has historically been a strong sector
for us and the addition of Margaret enables Garner to extend our services into
the field of HR. Our expertise now stretches across technology, media,
packaging, professional services, public sector, real estate, financial
services and HR."
For further information please contact:
Andrew Garner Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Jim McGeever / Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited 020 7492 4777
Antony Legge
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital 020 7628 5582
or on the Company's web site, at www.garnerinternational.com.
END
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30/04/2008 14:27 Garner PLC - Total Voting Rights
30 April 2008
GARNER PLC
TOTAL VOTING RIGHTS AND CAPITAL
In conformity with the Financial Services Authority's Disclosure and
Transparency Rules, Garner plc ("Garner") gives notice that its voting capital
consists of:
1p Ordinary Nominal Value 5p Preference Nominal Value
Shares Shares
38,152,678 381,527 1,043,566 521,783
As the fixed cumulative preferential dividend on the Preference Shares is more
than six months in arrears, shareholders of the Preference Shares are entitled
to vote at general meetings of the Company's shareholders.
The Company does not hold any shares in Treasury.
The issued ordinary share capital is therefore 38,152,678 and the total number
of voting rights for the Company is 39,196,244
The latter figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the
calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their
interest in, or a change to their interest in, Garner Plc under the FSA's
Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Contact Details:
Andrew Garner Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Jim McGeever / Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited 020 7492 4777
Antony Legge
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital 020 7628 5582
END
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07/04/2008 13:42 Garner PLC - Adviser Change of Name
GARNER PLC
ADVISER CHANGE OF NAME
Garner plc announces that its nominated adviser has changed its name from City
Financial Associates Limited to Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited with effect
from 4 April 2008.
For further information please contact:
Garner Plc
Andrew Garner
Tel: 020 7629 8822
Nominated Adviser
Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited
Tony Rawlinson
Tel: 020 7492 4777
Broker
St Helen's Capital
Ruari McGirr
Tel: 020 7628 5582
END
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03/04/2008 14:30 Garner PLC - Director/PDMR Shareholding
3 April 2008
Garner Plc (the "Company")
Substantial Shareholder Dealings
The Company received notification that Mr Roy Stanley has purchased 100,000
Ordinary Shares. Following this purchase Mr Roy Stanley is now interested in
4,300,000 Ordinary Shares representing 11.0 per cent. of the total voting
rights of the Company.
The total voting rights of the Company are 39,196,244 consisting of 38,152,678
ordinary shares and 1,043,566 Preference Shares.
Contact Details:
Andrew Garner Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Ross Andrews City Financial Associates Limited 020 7492 4777
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital 020 7628 5582
END
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03/04/2008 14:30 Garner PLC - Issue of Equity and Total Voting Rights
3 April 2008
Garner Plc (The "Company")
Issue of Equity
Total Voting Rights and Capital
The Company is issuing 183,741 ordinary shares to one of its employees who
elected to take part of his bonus arrangements in equity and thereby increase
his holding in the Company. Application has been made for these shares to be
admitted to trading which is expected to occur on or about 8 April 2008.
Following the admission of these shares to trading, the Company's voting
capital will consist of:
1p Ordinary Nominal Value 5 p Preference Nominal Value
Shares Shares
38,152,678 381,527 1,043,566 521,783
As the fixed cumulative preferential dividend on the Preference Shares is more
than six months in arrears, shareholders of the Preference Shares are entitled
to vote at general meetings of the Company's shareholders.
The Company does not hold any shares in Treasury.
The issued ordinary share capital is therefore 38,152,678 and the total number
of voting rights for the Company is 39,196,244
The latter figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the
calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their
interest in, or a change to their interest in, Garner Plc under the FSA's
Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Contact Details:
Andrew Garner Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Ross Andrews City Financial Associates Limited 020 7492 4777
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital 020 7628 5582
END
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31/03/2008 07:01 Garner PLC - Change of Adviser
For Immediate Release
31 March 2008
Garner Plc
Appointment of Broker
The Board of Garner Plc (the "Company) is pleased to announce the appointment
of St Helen's Capital Plc as Broker to the Company with immediate effect. City
Financial Associates Limited will remain as the Company's Nominated Adviser.
For further information please contact:
Andrew Garner Chief Executive, Garner Plc Tel: 020 7629 8822
Ross Andrews City Financial Associates Limited Tel: 020 7492 4777
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital Plc Tel: 020 7628 5582
END
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31/03/2008 07:01 Garner PLC - Final Results
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 MARCH 2008
GARNER PLC ("Garner" or the "Company")
FINAL RESULTS TO 31 DECEMBER 2007
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
At last year's AGM we set out our strategy of continuing to secure the team,
broaden our client base and maintain profitability. All of this we achieved.
Whilst the first half of 2007 proved strong and saw us winning a lot of
assignments including from new clients, the second half had to be focused on
delivery. The credit crunch affected all markets. Although we did not encounter
poor trading, certainly client decision making took longer.
Whilst turnover for the year shows an increase of 19 per cent to 3,122,000
(2006: 2,612,000), the turnover for the second half was down on the same
period last year. Profits decreased slightly (4.6 per cent) as a consequence of
higher staff costs resulting in pre-tax profits of 494,000 (2006: 518,000).
However, a lower tax charge means that post tax profits were up 10 per cent at
402,000 (2006: 365,000). Earnings per share are: 1.06p (2006: 0.97p).
Net debt at the year end has reduced to 1,183,000 (2006: 1,287,000) with the
Group generating net cash flow of 104,000. This cash flow represented a
reduction in borrowing of 25,000 and an increase in cash balances of 79,000.
Net liabilities at the year end were 1,301,000 (2006: 1,703,000 as restated),
an improvement of 402,000. We have now put in place a more advantageous
banking arrangement designed to give us more operating headroom for growth.
The increase in our cost base was almost entirely a result of improving our
reward strategy for our consultants in achieving key targets of both improved
billing levels and broadening our client base. We were delighted to win another
FTSE 10 client with whom there is the potential for a significant relationship.
Of equal importance was the work of one of our colleagues who was very
successful in winning volume business from clients' digital business
assignments.
Adding to our client base is essential in protecting our commercial
performance, and this remains a priority not only for 2008 but in the long
term. It is worth noting that we increased our client list by five companies in
different sectors in the first two months of 2008. Our expertise now stretches
across technology, media, packaging, professional services, public sector and,
of course, banking and real estate.
With reference to growing the team, we are being very selective. We will be
announcing some additions during 2008 as we plan to launch a new specialist HR
practice in April and a Digital Media practice in May.
Predictions for the future are not easy, not least because our clients are
finding forecasting difficult too. Strategically, however, there are some good
signs for Garner Plc. Our consultants have well established client
relationships and more of our assignments are for work to be done overseas,
e.g. Ireland, Germany and the Middle East.
Finally, we have been working on a new trading relationship with a leading US
search firm about which I hope to make an announcement soon. This will enable
us to leverage globally many of our UK client relationships. Overall, we think
that we are in as strong a position as we could be with a good and committed
team and costs under tight control. I look forward to sharing with you our
progress at the half year.
J BARTLE
Chairman
For further information please contact:
Andrew Garner Chief Executive Officer, Garner Plc 020 7629 8822
Ross Andrews City Financial Associates Limited 020 7492 4777
Ruari McGirr St Helen's Capital Plc 020 7628 5582
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
Note 31 December 2007 31 December 2006
000 as restated
000
REVENUE 3,122 2,612
COST OF OPERATIONS (2,513) (1,978)
GROUP OPERATING PROFIT 609 634
Net finance costs (115) (116)
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 494 518
BEFORE TAXATION
Tax expense (92) (153)
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 402 365
Earnings per share - Basic 2 1.06p 0.97p
Earnings per share - Diluted 2 1.01p 0.97p
All activity arose from continuing operations.
There are no recognised gains and losses other than as stated above.
Accordingly, no Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is given.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE
Year ended Year ended
31 December 31 December
2007 2006
as restated
000 000
Profit for the 402 365
period
Prior Year Adjustment due to IFRS conversion 67 -
Total recognised income and expense for the
period since
last Annual Report 469 365
All other changes to equity are shown in note 3 - Reconciliation of movements
in total equity.
DETAILED RECONCILIATION OF RESTATED 2006 INCOME STATEMENT
Note Previous Effect of Restated
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