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NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION. UPON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 November 2024
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
of
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ("BCPT")
by
STARLIGHT BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")
(a newly formed company incorporated in Guernsey and owned by Starwood Funds)
to be effected by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended)
SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE
On 4 September 2024, it was announced that the boards of BCPT and Bidco had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Bidco for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of BCPT (the "Acquisition"), to be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) (the "Scheme").
As previously announced, BCPT published the scheme document in respect of the Acquisition on 30 September 2024 (the "Scheme Document") and, on 25 October 2024, all resolutions in respect of the Scheme were duly passed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting.
The Board of BCPT is pleased to announce that, at the Sanction Hearing heard earlier today, the Royal Court of Guernsey sanctioned the Scheme and granted the Court Order in connection with the Acquisition. As the Conditions of the Acquisition have now been satisfied or, where applicable, waived, the Scheme has become effective in accordance with its terms.
Unless the context provides otherwise, words and expressions defined in the Scheme Document shall have the same meanings in this announcement. All references to time shown in this announcement are references to London (UK) time.
Commenting on the Acquisition becoming Effective, Paul Marcuse, Chairman of BCPT, said:
"The BCPT Board is pleased that the recommended transaction received overwhelming support, with almost 99 per cent. of votes in favour of the proposals. The BCPT Board thanks the Columbia Threadneedle team for its management of BCPT and its portfolio since launch, with particular thanks to Richard Kirby, Dan Walsgrove and Scott Macrae for their continued dedication and professionalism over recent months since BCPT announced the Strategic Review in April 2024."
Settlement
Pursuant to the terms of the Scheme, Scheme Shareholders whose names appeared on the register of members of BCPT at the Scheme Record Time, being 6.00 p.m. on 14 November 2024, will be entitled (subject to certain terms and conditions) to receive 96.00 pence in cash for each Scheme Share held.
As set out in the Scheme Document, settlement of the Cash Consideration to which any Scheme Shareholder is entitled under the Scheme will be effected as soon as practicable after the Effective Date and, in any event, not later than 14 days after the Effective Date, in the following manner:
(a) in respect of Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST) as at the Scheme Record Time, through the crediting of CREST accounts by not later than 29 November 2024; and
(b) in respect of Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in certificated form as at the Scheme Record Time, by the despatch of cheques or, should there be a valid bank mandate in place, release of electronic payments by not later than 29 November 2024.
As a result of the Scheme having become Effective, share certificates in respect of BCPT Shares have ceased to be valid documents of title and entitlements to BCPT Shares held in uncertificated form in CREST have been cancelled.
Dealings in BCPT Shares were suspended with effect from 7.30 a.m. today, 15 November 2024. Applications have been made to the London Stock Exchange to cancel the trading in BCPT Shares on the Main Market, and to the Financial Conduct Authority to cancel the listing of the BCPT Shares on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List, which in each case is expected to take effect by no later than 8.00 a.m. on 18 November 2024.
BCPT Shareholders are referred to the Scheme Document, in particular paragraph 10 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document, which sets out in detail the full terms and conditions of the settlement of the consideration payable for each Scheme Share under the Acquisition.
Directorate changes
As the Scheme has now become effective, BCPT duly announces that, as of 15 November 2024, Paul Marcuse, Isobel Sharp, John Wythe, Linda Wilding and Karima Fahmy will each step down from the BCPT Board (as well as the boards of BCPT's subsidiaries). Each of Matthew Parrott, Nicholas Chadwick and Daniel McLoughlin have been appointed as directors of BCPT and each of its subsidiaries as of today's date.
Dealing disclosures
BCPT is no longer in an "Offer Period" as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") and, accordingly, the dealing disclosure requirements previously notified to those interested in BCPT Shares no longer apply.
Enquiries:
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
via Burson Buchanan
Paul Marcuse (Chairman)
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank (Lead Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7623 2323
Bronson Albery / Callum West / Patrick Colgan / Dion Di Miceli (Corporate Broking)
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP (Joint Financial Adviser and Rule 3 adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7649 6823
Douglas Armstrong / Andrew Clark / Jamie Seedhouse
Winterflood Securities Limited (Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 3100 0265
Joe Winkley / Neil Morgan / Innes Urquhart
Burson Buchanan (PR Adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7466 5000
Helen Tarbet / Henry Wilson / George Beale
Important notices
You should read this announcement and the Scheme Document and if you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, consult an independent financial adviser. In making an investment decision you must rely on your own examination of the terms of the Scheme, and the Acquisition, including the merits and risks involved. If you have any questions about the Scheme Document, the Court Meeting or the General Meeting or are in any doubt as to how to complete the Forms of Proxy, please contact Computershare on the number set out above.
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank ("Barclays"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as lead financial adviser and joint corporate broker to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and the matters set out in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in or referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. In accordance with the Takeover Code, normal United Kingdom market practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in BCPT securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Takeover Code will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom.
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP ("Dickson Minto Advisers"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as joint financial adviser and sole Rule 3 adviser to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dickson Minto Advisers nor for providing advice in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. Neither Dickson Minto Advisers nor any of its affiliates (nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, members, representatives or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct, indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Dickson Minto Advisers in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document, any statement contained herein or in the Scheme Document or otherwise.
This announcement and the Scheme Document do not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to this announcement and the Scheme Document or otherwise in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
This announcement does not comprise a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.
The contents of this announcement do not amount to, and should not be construed as, legal, tax, business or financial advice. BCPT Shareholders who are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement should consult their own legal adviser, tax adviser or financial adviser for legal, tax, business or financial advice.
The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other date is specified in relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this announcement since such date.
Overseas jurisdictions
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law, Guernsey law and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition in, into or from jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be restricted by law and/or regulation and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey to vote their BCPT Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting or the Resolution at the General Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.
Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, the Acquisition is not being made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or any means of instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and shall not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition (including the Scheme Document) are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction, and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send such documents in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.
The availability of the Acquisition to BCPT Shareholders not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Any persons who are subject to the laws of, or are otherwise resident in, any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements. BCPT Shareholders who are in doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in paragraph 11 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document. All BCPT Shareholders or other persons (including nominees, trustees and custodians) who would otherwise intend to or may have a contractual or legal obligation to forward the Scheme Document and the accompanying Forms of Proxy to a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey should refrain from doing so and seek appropriate professional advice before taking any action.
US investors
The US holders of BCPT Shares should note that the Acquisition relates to the shares of a Guernsey company which are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market and is proposed to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement of BCPT provided for under the laws of Guernsey. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the procedural and disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in the UK and Guernsey involving a target company incorporated in Guernsey whose shares are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market, which differ from the requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules.
It may be difficult for US holders of BCPT Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of US federal laws in connection with the Acquisition, since each of Bidco and BCPT are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of, and some or all of their assets may be located in, a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of BCPT Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
None of the securities referred to in this announcement or the Scheme Document have been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any US state securities commission or any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities approved or disapproved or passed judgement upon the fairness or the merits of the Acquisition, or determined if the information contained in this announcement or the Scheme Document is adequate, accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the US.
US holders of BCPT Shares should also be aware that the transaction contemplated herein (including the receipt of consideration pursuant to the Acquisition) may have tax consequences in the US and that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US BCPT Shareholders are urged to consult their independent legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.
In accordance with the Takeover Code and to the extent permitted under Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies or their respective nominees, or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, BCPT securities other than pursuant to the Acquisition, either in the open market at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated purchases at negotiated prices outside the US until the date on which the Scheme becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, before or during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance). To the extent required by Rule 14e-5(b), such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, must comply with English law, Guernsey law, the Takeover Code and the UK Listing Rules. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed to the Panel and, to the extent that such information is required to be publicly disclosed in the United Kingdom in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, will be made available to all investors (including US investors) via the Regulatory Information Service on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.
Further details in relation to US holders are contained in the Scheme Document.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rules 26.1 and 26.2 of the Takeover Code will be available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on BCPT's website at https://www.columbiathreadneedle.co.uk/bcpt-strategic-review/ and on Bidco's website at https://www.starwoodbluebird.com/ promptly and in any event by not later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following the publication of this announcement.
Save as expressly referred to in the Scheme Document, neither the contents of these websites nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on such websites is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement and/or the Scheme Document.
Market Abuse Regulation
The information communicated in this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of BCPT is Allison Dunning of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, the company secretary of BCPT. Upon the publication of this announcement, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION. UPON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 October 2024
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
of
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ("BCPT")
by
STARLIGHT BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")
(a newly formed company incorporated in Guernsey and owned by Starwood Funds)
to be effected by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended)
RESULTS OF COURT MEETING AND GENERAL MEETING
The Board of BCPT is pleased to announce that, at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting held earlier today in connection with the recommended cash acquisition of BCPT by Bidco (the "Acquisition"), all resolutions were duly passed by the requisite majority of BCPT Shareholders. In particular:
the resolution to approve the Scheme was passed at the Court Meeting by the requisite majority of Scheme Shareholders; and the special resolution to authorise: (i) the BCPT Directors to take all such action as they may consider necessary, desirable or appropriate for carrying the Scheme into full effect; and (ii) the amendment of BCPT's articles of incorporation, was passed at the General Meeting by the requisite majority of BCPT Shareholders.Full details of the resolutions passed are set out in the notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting contained in Parts 10 and 11 of the scheme document published on 30 September 2024 (the "Scheme Document"). Unless the context provides otherwise, words and expressions defined in the Scheme Document shall have the same meanings in this announcement.
Voting results of the Court Meeting
The table below sets out the results of the poll at the Court Meeting. Each Scheme Shareholder present in person or by proxy was entitled to one vote per Scheme Share held at the Voting Record Time. The total number of Scheme Shares in issue at the Voting Record Time was 701,550,187, carrying one vote each. Consequently, the total number of voting rights in Scheme Shares at the Voting Record Time, and therefore for the purposes of the Court Meeting, was 701,550,187.
Results of Court Meeting
Scheme Shares voted
Scheme Shareholders who voted**
No. of Scheme Shares voted as a percentage of the Scheme Shares eligible to be voted at the Court Meeting (%)*
Number
%*
Number
%*
FOR
420,953,695
98.82
239
91.22
60.00
AGAINST
5,033,448
1.18
23
8.78
0.72
TOTAL
425,987,143
100.00
262
100.00
60.72
* Rounded to two decimal places.
** In total, 248 Scheme Shareholders cast their votes, in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting. Where a Scheme Shareholder has cast some of their votes "for" and some of their votes "against" the resolution, such Scheme Shareholder has been counted as having voted both "for" and "against" the resolution for the purposes of determining the number of Scheme Shareholders who voted, as set out in these columns.
The BCPT Directors voted in favour of the Scheme in respect of their own beneficial holdings (and holdings that they otherwise control) of 177,766 BCPT Shares.
Voting results of the General Meeting
The table below sets out the results of the poll at the General Meeting. Each BCPT Shareholder present in person or by proxy was entitled to one vote per BCPT Share held at the Voting Record Time. The total number of BCPT Shares in issue at the Voting Record Time (excluding 97,815,921 BCPT Shares held in treasury) was 701,550,187, carrying one vote each. Consequently, the total number of voting rights in BCPT at the Voting Record Time, and therefore for the purposes of the General Meeting, was 701,550,187.
Results of General Meeting
VOTES FOR*
VOTES AGAINST
TOTAL VOTES
VOTES WITHHELD
***
Number
% of shares voted
**
Number
% of shares voted **
Number
% of issued share capital **
Number
Special Resolution to authorise the BCPT Directors to take all such action as they may consider necessary, desirable or appropriate for carrying the Scheme into full effect including the amendment of BCPT's articles of incorporation.
404,293,674
98.67
5,456,156
1.33
409,749,830
58.41
457,700
* Includes discretionary votes.
** Rounded to two decimal places. *** A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes "for" or "against" the Resolution.
A copy of the Resolution passed at the General Meeting will be submitted today to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.
Expected timetable of principal events
The outcome of today's meetings means that Conditions 2(a) and 2(b) (as set out in Part 4A of the Scheme Document) have been satisfied.
Completion of the Acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction or (where applicable) waiver of the remaining Conditions and further terms set out in the Scheme Document, including the Court sanctioning the Scheme at the Sanction Hearing.
The expected timetable of principal events for the implementation of the Scheme remains as set out on pages 9 and 10 of the Scheme Document and is also set out in the appendix to this announcement. These dates and times are indicative only, may be subject to change (including as a result of changes to the Court timetable) and will depend on, amongst other matters, the date upon which: (i) the remaining Conditions are satisfied or (where applicable) waived; and (ii) the Court sanctions the Scheme. Subject to the Scheme being sanctioned by the Court, the Scheme is currently expected to become Effective on or around 15 November 2024.
BCPT will give notice of any change(s) to this indicative timetable by issuing an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service and, if required by the Panel, posting notice(s) of the change(s) to BCPT Shareholders and persons so entitled. All Scheme Shareholders have the right to attend the Sanction Hearing.
Enquiries:
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
via Burson Buchanan
Paul Marcuse (Chairman)
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank (Lead Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7623 2323
Bronson Albery / Callum West / Patrick Colgan / Dion Di Miceli (Corporate Broking)
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP (Joint Financial Adviser and Rule 3 adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7649 6823
Douglas Armstrong / Andrew Clark / Jamie Seedhouse
Winterflood Securities Limited (Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 3100 0265
Joe Winkley / Neil Morgan / Innes Urquhart
Burson Buchanan (PR Adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7466 5000
Helen Tarbet / Henry Wilson / George Beale
APPENDIX
Expected timetable of principal events
The following dates and times are indicative only and are subject to change(1)
Event
Time and/or date
Last day of dealings in, and for registration of transfers of, and disablement in CREST of, BCPT Shares
14 November 2024(2)
Scheme Record Time
6.00 p.m. on 14 November 2024
Suspension of listing of BCPT Shares on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and from trading on the Main Market
7.30 a.m. on 15 November 2024
Court hearing to sanction the Scheme
15 November 2024(3)
Effective Date of the Scheme
15 November 2024(3)
Cancellation of listing of, and trading in, BCPT Shares
by not later than 8.00 a.m. on 18 November 2024
CREST accounts of Scheme Shareholders credited with Cash Consideration due in respect of Scheme Shares held in uncertificated form
within 14 calendar days of the Effective Date
Despatch of cheques and release of electronic payments for the Cash Consideration due to Scheme Shareholders in respect of Scheme Shares held in certificated form
within 14 calendar days of the Effective Date
Long Stop Date
3 March 2025(4)
Notes:
These dates and times are indicative only, may be subject to change (including as a result of changes to the Court timetable and, in particular, if an earlier date becomes available for the Court hearing to sanction the Scheme) and will depend, amongst other matters, on the date upon which: (i) the Conditions are satisfied or (where applicable) waived; and (ii) the Court sanctions the Scheme. BCPT will give notice of any change(s) to this indicative timetable by issuing an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service and, if required by the Panel, posting notice(s) of the change(s) to BCPT Shareholders and persons with information rights. All Scheme Shareholders have the right to attend the Sanction Hearing. BCPT Shares will be disabled in CREST from 6.00 p.m. on such date. A copy of the Court Order which sanctions the Scheme must be filed with the Guernsey Registry within seven days after the date on which it is made. The Scheme will become Effective on the date prescribed in the Court Order. This is the latest date by which the Scheme may become Effective unless (i) BCPT and Bidco agree a later date with the Panel's consent; or (ii) (in a competitive situation) Bidco specifies a later date with the consent of the Panel, and in each case (if required) as the Court may allow.Important notices
You should read this announcement and the Scheme Document and if you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, consult an independent financial adviser. In making an investment decision you must rely on your own examination of the terms of the Scheme, and the Acquisition, including the merits and risks involved. If you have any questions about the Scheme Document, the Court Meeting or the General Meeting or are in any doubt as to how to complete the Forms of Proxy, please contact Computershare on the number set out above.
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank ("Barclays"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as lead financial adviser and joint corporate broker to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and the matters set out in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in or referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. In accordance with the Takeover Code, normal United Kingdom market practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in BCPT securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Takeover Code will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom.
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP ("Dickson Minto Advisers"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as joint financial adviser and sole Rule 3 adviser to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dickson Minto Advisers nor for providing advice in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. Neither Dickson Minto Advisers nor any of its affiliates (nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, members, representatives or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct, indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Dickson Minto Advisers in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document, any statement contained herein or in the Scheme Document or otherwise.
This announcement and the Scheme Document do not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to this announcement and the Scheme Document or otherwise in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
This announcement does not comprise a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.
The contents of this announcement do not amount to, and should not be construed as, legal, tax, business or financial advice. BCPT Shareholders who are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement should consult their own legal adviser, tax adviser or financial adviser for legal, tax, business or financial advice.
The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other date is specified in relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this announcement since such date.
Overseas jurisdictions
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law, Guernsey law and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition in, into or from jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be restricted by law and/or regulation and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey to vote their BCPT Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting or the Resolution at the General Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.
Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, the Acquisition is not being made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or any means of instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and shall not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition (including the Scheme Document) are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction, and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send such documents in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.
The availability of the Acquisition to BCPT Shareholders not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Any persons who are subject to the laws of, or are otherwise resident in, any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements. BCPT Shareholders who are in doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in paragraph 11 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document. All BCPT Shareholders or other persons (including nominees, trustees and custodians) who would otherwise intend to or may have a contractual or legal obligation to forward the Scheme Document and the accompanying Forms of Proxy to a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey should refrain from doing so and seek appropriate professional advice before taking any action.
US investors
The US holders of BCPT Shares should note that the Acquisition relates to the shares of a Guernsey company which are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market and is proposed to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement of BCPT provided for under the laws of Guernsey. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the procedural and disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in the UK and Guernsey involving a target company incorporated in Guernsey whose shares are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market, which differ from the requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules.
The financial information included in the Scheme Document has been prepared in accordance with UK IFRS or EU IFRS and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States differ in certain significant respects from UK IFRS and EU IFRS.
Bidco reserves the right, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Panel, to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer. If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, and determines to extend the Offer into the United States, such Offer and the Acquisition will be made in compliance with the applicable US laws and regulations including to the extent applicable Section 14(e) of the US Exchange Act and Regulation 14E thereunder, and in accordance with the Takeover Code. Accordingly, the Acquisition would be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and law. Such an Offer would be made in the United States by Bidco and no one else.
It may be difficult for US holders of BCPT Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of US federal laws in connection with the Acquisition, since each of Bidco and BCPT are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of, and some or all of their assets may be located in, a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of BCPT Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
None of the securities referred to in this announcement or the Scheme Document have been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any US state securities commission or any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities approved or disapproved or passed judgement upon the fairness or the merits of the Acquisition, or determined if the information contained in this announcement or the Scheme Document is adequate, accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the US.
US holders of BCPT Shares should also be aware that the transaction contemplated herein (including the receipt of consideration pursuant to the Acquisition) may have tax consequences in the US and that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US BCPT Shareholders are urged to consult their independent legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.
In accordance with the Takeover Code and to the extent permitted under Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies or their respective nominees, or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, BCPT securities other than pursuant to the Acquisition, either in the open market at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated purchases at negotiated prices outside the US until the date on which the Scheme becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, before or during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance). To the extent required by Rule 14e-5(b), such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, must comply with English law, Guernsey law, the Takeover Code and the UK Listing Rules. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed to the Panel and, to the extent that such information is required to be publicly disclosed in the United Kingdom in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, will be made available to all investors (including US investors) via the Regulatory Information Service on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.
Further details in relation to US holders are contained in the Scheme Document.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement, the Scheme Document (including information incorporated by reference in the Scheme Document), oral statements regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and BCPT contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations which are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations, projections and assumptions of the management of Bidco or BCPT (as the case may b
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 September 2024
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
of
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ("BCPT")
by
STARLIGHT BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")
(a newly formed company incorporated in Guernsey and owned by Starwood Funds)
to be effected by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended)
PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF SCHEME DOCUMENT
On 4 September 2024, it was announced that the boards of BCPT and Bidco had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Bidco for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of BCPT (the "Acquisition") (the "Announcement"). As described in the Announcement, it is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies Law of Guernsey (the "Scheme").
Unless the context provides otherwise, words and expressions defined in the Scheme Document (as defined below) shall have the same meanings in this announcement.
Publication of the Scheme Document
The board of BCPT is pleased to announce the publication of the scheme document in relation to the Scheme by BCPT (the "Scheme Document") which, together with the associated Forms of Proxy, will be posted by BCPT to BCPT Shareholders (save for BCPT Shareholders in any Restricted Jurisdiction).
The Scheme Document contains, amongst other things, the full terms and conditions of the Scheme, a letter from the Chairman of BCPT, an explanatory statement pursuant to section 108 of Part VIII of the Companies Law of Guernsey, an expected timetable of principal events, notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, a valuation report pursuant to Rule 29 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code"), and details of the actions to be taken by Scheme Shareholders entitled to vote at the Court Meeting and BCPT Shareholders entitled to vote at the General Meeting.
The Scheme Document will be made available, free of charge but subject to certain restrictions relating to persons residing in Restricted Jurisdictions, on BCPT's website at https://www.columbiathreadneedle.co.uk/bcpt-strategic-review/ and on Bidco's website at https://www.starwoodbluebird.com/ promptly, and in any event by not later than 12 noon on the Business Day following the publication of the Scheme Document, up to and including the earlier of the Effective Date and the date on which the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn. The content of the websites referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into, and do not form part of, this announcement.
Action required
As further described in the Scheme Document, before the Court is asked to sanction the Scheme, the Scheme will require the approval of Scheme Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the passing of the Resolution by BCPT Shareholders at the General Meeting. The Court Meeting and the General Meeting are to be held in the building of the Company's UK legal advisers, Dickson Minto LLP, at Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London EC2M 1QS on 25 October 2024. The Court Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10.00 a.m. and the General Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10.15 a.m. (or as soon thereafter as the Court Meeting (as adjourned or postponed, if applicable) shall have concluded). Notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting are set out in Parts 10 and 11, respectively, of the Scheme Document.
It is important that, for the Court Meeting in particular, as many votes as possible are cast (whether in person or by proxy) in order for the Court to be satisfied that there is a fair and reasonable representation of Scheme Shareholders' opinion. BCPT Shareholders are therefore strongly urged to complete, sign and return their Forms of Proxy or to appoint a proxy electronically either through the share portal service or through CREST as soon as possible and, in any event, so as to be received by not later than 10.00 a.m. on 23 October 2024 (or, if the Court Meeting is adjourned or postponed, by not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the adjourned or postponed Court Meeting (excluding any part of a day that is not a Business Day)) in accordance with the instructions set out in the Scheme Document and the Forms of Proxy. Instructions in relation to voting and the completion of the Forms of Proxy are included in the Scheme Document.
Expected timetable of principal events
An expected timetable of principal events for the Scheme is set out in the Scheme Document and is also reproduced in the appendix to this announcement. Subject to the requisite approval of Scheme Shareholders at the Court Meeting and of BCPT Shareholders at the General Meeting, the satisfaction or waiver (if capable of waiver) of the other Conditions set out in the Scheme Document and the sanction of the Scheme by the Court at the Sanction Hearing, the Scheme is currently expected to become Effective on or around 15 November 2024.
If the expected dates of the events following the Court Meeting and General Meeting (including (without limitation) the date of the Sanction Hearing) change, then BCPT will give adequate notice of such changes in an announcement released through a Regulatory Information Service.
It is intended that dealings in, and registration of transfers of, BCPT Shares (other than the registration of the transfer of the Scheme Shares to Bidco pursuant to the Scheme) will be suspended shortly before the Effective Date as set out in the Scheme Document. It is further intended that applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange to cancel trading in the BCPT Shares on the Main Market, and to the FCA to cancel the listing of the BCPT Shares on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List, in each case with effect from or shortly following the Effective Date.
Recommendation
The BCPT Directors, who have been so advised by Barclays and Dickson Minto Advisers as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing their financial advice to the BCPT Directors, Barclays and Dickson Minto Advisers have taken into account the commercial assessments of the BCPT Directors. Dickson Minto Advisers is providing independent financial advice to the BCPT Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.
Accordingly, the BCPT Directors recommend unanimously that Scheme Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and BCPT Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution at the General Meeting (or, in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, accept or procure acceptance of such Offer), as all BCPT Directors who hold BCPT Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings totalling 177,766 BCPT Shares, representing, in aggregate, approximately 0.03 per cent. of BCPT's issued ordinary share capital (excluding BCPT Shares held in treasury) as at the Latest Practicable Date.
BCPT Shareholders should read carefully the whole of the Scheme Document (including any documents incorporated into the Scheme Document by reference), together with the accompanying Forms of Proxy, before deciding whether or not to vote, or procure a vote, in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolution at the General Meeting. Each of these documents contains important information relating to the Acquisition. Any vote or decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition or the Scheme (as applicable) should only be made on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document.
Helpline
If you have any questions about this announcement, the Scheme Document, the Court Meeting or the General Meeting, or are in any doubt as to how to complete and return the Forms of Proxy, please contact BCPT's registrar, Computershare, c/o The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, or call on +44(0)370 707 4040 between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales). All calls to the helpline may be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. Please note that, for legal reasons, the helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Acquisition or give any legal, tax or financial advice.
All references to time shown in this announcement (including the appendix) are references to London (UK) time.
Enquiries:
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
via Burson Buchanan
Paul Marcuse (Chairman)
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank (Lead Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7623 2323
Bronson Albery / Callum West / Patrick Colgan / Dion Di Miceli (Corporate Broking)
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP (Joint Financial Adviser and Rule 3 adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7649 6823
Douglas Armstrong / Andrew Clark / Jamie Seedhouse
Winterflood Securities Limited (Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 3100 0265
Joe Winkley / Neil Morgan / Innes Urquhart
Burson Buchanan (PR Adviser to BCPT)
+44 (0)20 7466 5000
Helen Tarbet / Henry Wilson / George Beale
APPENDIX
Expected timetable of principal events
Event
Time and/or date
Publication of the Scheme Document
30 September 2024
Latest time and date for receipt of the BLUE Form of Proxy or a CREST Proxy Instruction in respect of the Court Meeting
10.00 a.m. on 23 October 2024(1)
Latest time and date for receipt of the PINK Form of Proxy or a CREST Proxy Instruction in respect of the General Meeting
10.15 a.m. on 23 October 2024(2)
Voting Record Time for the Court Meeting and the General Meeting
6.00 p.m. on 23 October 2024(3)
Court Meeting
10.00 a.m. on 25 October 2024
General Meeting
10.15 a.m. on 25 October 2024(4)
The following dates and times are indicative only and are subject to change(5)
Last day of dealings in, and for registration of transfers of, and disablement in CREST of, BCPT Shares
14 November 2024(6)
Scheme Record Time
6.00 p.m. on 14 November 2024
Suspension of listing of BCPT Shares on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and from trading on the Main Market
7.30 a.m. on 15 November 2024
Court hearing to sanction the Scheme
15 November 2024(7)
Effective Date of the Scheme
15 November 2024(7)
Cancellation of listing of, and trading in, BCPT Shares
by not later than 8.00 a.m. on 18 November 2024
CREST accounts of Scheme Shareholders credited with Cash Consideration due in respect of Scheme Shares held in uncertificated form
within 14 calendar days of the Effective Date
Despatch of cheques and release of electronic payments for the Cash Consideration due to Scheme Shareholders in respect of Scheme Shares held in certificated form
within 14 calendar days of the Effective Date
Long Stop Date
3 March 2025(8)
The Court Meeting and the General Meeting will each be held in the building of the Company's UK legal advisers, Dickson Minto LLP, at Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London EC2M 1QS.
Notes:
It is requested that BLUE Forms of Proxy or CREST Proxy Instructions in respect of the Court Meeting be lodged at least 48 hours prior to the time appointed for the Court Meeting or, in the case of any adjournment or postponement, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the adjourned or postponed Court Meeting (in each case excluding any part of a day that is not a Business Day). BLUE Forms of Proxy that are not so lodged may be handed to the Chairman of the Court Meeting or a representative of the Company's registrar, Computershare, at the Court Meeting venue 9.30 a.m. on 25 October 2024 (or 30 minutes before the start of any postponed or adjourned Court Meeting). PINK Forms of Proxy or CREST Proxy Instructions in respect of the General Meeting must be lodged at least 48 hours prior to the time appointed for the General Meeting or, in the case of any adjournment or postponement, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the adjourned or postponed General Meeting (in each case excluding any part of a day that is not a Business Day). PINK Forms of Proxy that are not so lodged may NOT be handed to the Chairman of the General Meeting or a representative of the Company's registrar, Computershare, before the start of or at the General Meeting. If either the Court Meeting or the General Meeting is adjourned or postponed, the Voting Record Time for the relevant adjourned or postponed Meeting will be 6.00 p.m. on the day which is two Business Days before the date set for such adjourned or postponed Meeting and only Scheme Shareholders (in the case of the Court Meeting) and BCPT Shareholders (in the case of the General Meeting) on the register of members at such time shall be entitled to attend and vote at the relevant Meeting(s). Or as soon thereafter as the Court Meeting (as adjourned or postponed, if applicable) shall have been concluded. These dates and times are indicative only, may be subject to change (including as a result of changes to the Court timetable and, in particular, if an earlier date becomes available for the Court hearing to sanction the Scheme) and will depend, amongst other matters, on the date upon which: (i) the Conditions are satisfied or (where applicable) waived; and (ii) the Court sanctions the Scheme. BCPT will give notice of any change(s) to this indicative timetable by issuing an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service and, if required by the Panel, posting notice(s) of the change(s) to BCPT Shareholders and persons with information rights. All Scheme Shareholders have the right to attend the Sanction Hearing. BCPT Shares will be disabled in CREST from 6.00 p.m. on such date. A copy of the Court Order which sanctions the Scheme must be filed with the Guernsey Registry within seven days after the date on which it is made. The Scheme will become Effective on the date prescribed in the Court Order. This is the latest date by which the Scheme may become Effective unless (i) BCPT and Bidco agree a later date with the Panel's consent, or (ii) (in a competitive situation) Bidco specifies a later date with the consent of the Panel, and in each case (if required) as the Court may allow.Investors who hold their BCPT Shares indirectly via a nominee or investor platform are encouraged to instruct their nominee or investor platform to vote on their behalf in good time to ensure that their votes, which are important to the Company, are received and taken into account. Many investor platforms enable investors to submit voting instructions directly through their website. Please note that the deadline to submit votes is likely to be earlier than the time and date for receipt of Forms of Proxy as detailed above.
Important notices
You should read this announcement and the Scheme Document and if you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, consult an independent financial adviser. In making an investment decision you must rely on your own examination of the terms of the Scheme, and the Acquisition, including the merits and risks involved. If you have any questions about the Scheme Document, the Court Meeting or the General Meeting or are in any doubt as to how to complete the Forms of Proxy, please contact Computershare on the number set out above.
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank ("Barclays"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as lead financial adviser and joint corporate broker to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and the matters set out in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in or referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. In accordance with the Takeover Code, normal United Kingdom market practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in BCPT securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Takeover Code will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom.
Dickson Minto Advisers LLP ("Dickson Minto Advisers"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as joint financial adviser and sole Rule 3 adviser to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dickson Minto Advisers nor for providing advice in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. Neither Dickson Minto Advisers nor any of its affiliates (nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, members, representatives or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct, indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Dickson Minto Advisers in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document, any statement contained herein or in the Scheme Document or otherwise.
This announcement, the Scheme Document and the accompanying documents do not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to this announcement, the Scheme Document and the accompanying documents or otherwise in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
This announcement does not comprise a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.
The contents of this announcement do not amount to, and should not be construed as, legal, tax, business or financial advice. BCPT Shareholders who are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement should consult their own legal adviser, tax adviser or financial adviser for legal, tax, business or financial advice.
The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other date is specified in relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this announcement since such date.
Overseas jurisdictions
This announcement and the Scheme Document has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law, Guernsey law and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement and/or the Scheme Document had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement, the Scheme Document and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition in, into or from jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be restricted by law and/or regulation and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey to vote their BCPT Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting or the Resolution at the General Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.
Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, the Acquisition is not being made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or any means of instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and shall not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition (including the Scheme Document) are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction, and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send such documents in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.
The availability of the Acquisition to BCPT Shareholders not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Any persons who are subject to the laws of, or are otherwise resident in, any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements. BCPT Shareholders who are in doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in paragraph 11 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document. All BCPT Shareholders or other persons (including nominees, trustees and custodians) who would otherwise intend to or may have a contractual or legal obligation to forward the Scheme Document and the accompanying Forms of Proxy to a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey should refrain from doing so and seek appropriate professional advice before taking any action.
US investors
The US holders of BCPT Shares should note that the Acquisition relates to the shares of a Guernsey company which are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market and is proposed to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement of BCPT provided for under the laws of Guernsey. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the procedural and disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in the UK and Guernsey involving a target company incorporated in Guernsey whose shares are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market, which differ from the requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules.
The financial information included in the Scheme Document has been prepared in accordance with UK IFRS or EU IFRS and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States differ in certain significant respects from UK IFRS and EU IFRS.
Bidco reserves the right, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Panel, to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer. If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, and determines to extend the Offer into the United States, such Offer and the Acquisition will be made in compliance with the applicable US laws and regulations including to the extent applicable Section 14(e) of the US Exchange Act and Regulation 14E thereunder, and in accordance with the Takeover Code. Accordingly, the Acquisition would be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and law. Such an Offer would be made in the United States by Bidco and no one else.
It may be difficult for US holders of BCPT Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of US federal laws in connection with the Acquisition, since each of Bidco and BCPT are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of, and some or all of their assets may be located in, a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of BCPT Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
None of the securities referred to in this announcement or the Scheme Document have been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any US state securities commission or any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities approved or disapproved or passed judgement upon the fairness or the merits of the Acquisition, or determined if the information contained in this announcement or the Scheme Document is adequate, accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the US.
US holders of BCPT Shares should also be aware that the transaction contemplated herein (including the receipt of consideration pursuant to the Acquisition) may have tax consequences in the US and that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US BCPT Shareholders are urged to consult their independent legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.
In accordance with the Takeover Code and to the extent permitted under Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies or their respective nominees, or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, BCPT securities other than pursuant to the Acquisition, either in the open market at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated purchases at negotiated prices outside the US until the date on which the Scheme becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, before or during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance). To the extent required by Rule 14e-5(b), such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, must comply with English law, Guernsey law, the Takeover Code and the UK Listing Rules. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed to the Panel and, to the extent that such information is required to be publicly disclosed in the United Kingdom in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, will be made available to all investors (including US investors) via the Regulatory Information Service on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.
Further details in relation to US holders are contained in the Scheme Document.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement, the Scheme Document (including information incorporated by reference in the Scheme Document), oral statements regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and BCPT contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations which are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations, projections and assumptions of the management of Bidco or BCPT (as the case may be) about future events, and are, therefore, subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and the Scheme Document include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco and BCPT (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "aims", "hopes", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "projects", "strategy", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases and statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and the Scheme Document are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Although Bidco and BCPT believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and BCPT (and their respective associates, directors, officers and advisers) can give no representation, assurance or guarantee that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that are expected to occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and expected timeframe; future market conditions, changes in general economic and business conditions, the behaviour of other market participants, the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
1. Issuer Details
ISIN
GG00B4ZPCJ00
Issuer Name
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED
UK or Non-UK Issuer
Non-UK
2. Reason for Notification
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights; An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
Name
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
City of registered office (if applicable)
Wilmington, Delaware
Country of registered office (if applicable)
USA
4. Details of the shareholder
Name
City of registered office
Country of registered office
Goldman Sachs International
London
United Kingdom
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
18-Sep-2024
6. Date on which Issuer notified
24-Sep-2024
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
.
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)
% of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)
Total number of voting rights held in issuer
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached
6.067232
0.023196
6.090428
42727414
Position of previous notification (if applicable)
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
8A. Voting rights attached to shares
Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible)
Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
% of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
% of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
GG00B4ZPCJ00
42564677
6.067232
Sub Total 8.A
42564677
6.067232%
8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted
% of voting rights
Sub Total 8.B1
8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Physical or cash settlement
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
Swap
15/02/2027
Cash
132405
0.018873
Swap
03/04/2034
Cash
11437
0.001630
Swap
06/09/2034
Cash
9209
0.001313
Swap
13/09/2027
Cash
5193
0.000740
Swap
12/12/2024
Cash
4493
0.000640
Sub Total 8.B2
162737
0.023196%
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)
Ultimate controlling person
Name of controlled undertaking
% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 1)
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 1)
Goldman Sachs (UK) L.L.C.
6.062067
0.023197
6.085263%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 1)
Goldman Sachs Group UK Limited
6.062067
0.023197
6.085263%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 1)
Goldman Sachs International
6.062067
0.023197
6.085263%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 2)
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 2)
GSAM Holdings LLC
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Chain 2)
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
10. In case of proxy voting
Name of the proxy holder
The number and % of voting rights held
The date until which the voting rights will be held
11. Additional Information
Please note, the total amount of voting rights have been rounded to 6 decimal places therefore there is a possibility of a rounding error.General email contact: gs-rrc-emea-position-enquiries@gs.com
12. Date of Completion
24-Sep-2024
13. Place Of Completion
London
FORM 8 (OPD)
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE BY A PARTY TO AN OFFER
Rules 8.1 and 8.2 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")
Amendments have been made to section 3 of the "Form 8 (OPD) - Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited" announcement released on 29 April 2024 at 12:10. All other details remain unchanged.
1. KEY INFORMATION
(a) Full name of discloser:
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
(b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
(d) Is the discloser the offeror or the offeree?
Offeree
(e) Date position held:
The latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
26 April 2024
(f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A"
N/A (strategic review and formal sale process)
2. POSITIONS OF THE PARTY TO THE OFFER MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates
Class of relevant security:
Ordinary shares of one penny each
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
Nil
0
Nil
0
(2) Cash-settled derivatives:
Nil
0
Nil
0
(3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
Nil
0
Nil
0
TOTAL:
Nil
0
Nil
0
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
Details of any securities borrowing and lending positions or financial collateral arrangements should be disclosed on a Supplemental Form 8 (SBL).
(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
None
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
None
3. POSITIONS OF PERSONS ACTING IN CONCERT WITH THE PARTY TO THE OFFER MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Details of any interests, short positions and rights to subscribe (including directors' and other employee options) of any person acting in concert with the party to the offer making the disclosure:
Interests of the directors of Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited ("BCPT") in
ordinary shares of one penny each in BCPT (including their close relatives and related trusts):
Director of BCPT (and their close relatives and related trusts)
Total number of BCPT ordinary shares
Percentage of the total issued share capital of BCPT (excluding treasury shares)
Paul Marcuse
49,463
0.00%
Isobel Sharp
55,000
0.00%
Linda Wilding
40,000
0.00%
John Wythe
33,303
0.00%
Interests of other persons acting in concert with BCPT
Name
Total number of BCPT ordinary shares
Percentage of the total issued share capital of BCPT (excluding treasury shares)
Columbia Threadneedle AM (Holdings) plc and its subsidiaries
72,314
0.01%
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
Details of any securities borrowing and lending positions or financial collateral arrangements should be disclosed on a Supplemental Form 8 (SBL).
4. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the party to the offer making the disclosure or any person acting in concert with it:
Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"
None
(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the party to the offer making the disclosure, or any person acting in concert with it, and any other person relating to:
(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"
None
(c) Attachments
Are any Supplemental Forms attached?
Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions)
No
Supplemental Form 8 (SBL)
No
Date of disclosure:
26 September 2024
Contact name:Paul Marcuse (via Dickson Minto Advisers)
Telephone number:+44 (0)20 7649 6823
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
1. Issuer Details
ISIN
GG00B4ZPCJ00
Issuer Name
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED
UK or Non-UK Issuer
Non-UK
2. Reason for Notification
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
Name
BlackRock, Inc.
City of registered office (if applicable)
Wilmington
Country of registered office (if applicable)
USA
4. Details of the shareholder
Full name of shareholder(s) if different from the person(s) subject to the notification obligation, above
City of registered office (if applicable)
Country of registered office (if applicable)
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
18-Sep-2024
6. Date on which Issuer notified
19-Sep-2024
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
. % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A) % of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights held in issuer Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 5.080000 0.780000 5.860000 41148198 Position of previous notification (if applicable) 4.910000 0.950000 5.8600008. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
8A. Voting rights attached to shares
Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible) Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1) % of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) % of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1) GG00B4ZPCJ00 35647966 5.080000 Sub Total 8.A 35647966 5.080000%8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))
Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise/conversion period Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted % of voting rights Securities Lending 5487875 0.780000 Sub Total 8.B1 5487875 0.780000%8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise/conversion period Physical or cash settlement Number of voting rights % of voting rights CFD Cash 12357 0.000000 Sub Total 8.B2 12357 0.000000%9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)
Ultimate controlling person Name of controlled undertaking % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock HK Holdco Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Lux Finco S.a.r.l. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Japan Holdings GK BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman 1 LP BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Group Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Finance Europe Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc. BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5)TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
1. Issuer Details
ISIN
GG00B4ZPCJ00
Issuer Name
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED
UK or Non-UK Issuer
Non-UK
2. Reason for Notification
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
Name
BlackRock, Inc.
City of registered office (if applicable)
Wilmington
Country of registered office (if applicable)
USA
4. Details of the shareholder
Full name of shareholder(s) if different from the person(s) subject to the notification obligation, above
City of registered office (if applicable)
Country of registered office (if applicable)
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
12-Sep-2024
6. Date on which Issuer notified
13-Sep-2024
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
.
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)
% of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)
Total number of voting rights held in issuer
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached
4.910000
0.950000
5.860000
41211743
Position of previous notification (if applicable)
5.050000
0.560000
5.610000
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
8A. Voting rights attached to shares
Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible)
Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
% of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
% of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
GG00B4ZPCJ00
34472835
4.910000
Sub Total 8.A
34472835
4.910000%
8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted
% of voting rights
Securities Lending
6726551
0.950000
Sub Total 8.B1
6726551
0.950000%
8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Physical or cash settlement
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
CFD
Cash
12357
0.000000
Sub Total 8.B2
12357
0.000000%
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)
Ultimate controlling person
Name of controlled undertaking
% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock HK Holdco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock Lux Finco S.a.r.l.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock Japan Holdings GK
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1)
BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Cayman 1 LP
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Group Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Finance Europe Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2)
BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited
BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3)
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
1. Issuer Details
ISIN
GG00B4ZPCJ00
Issuer Name
BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED
UK or Non-UK Issuer
Non-UK
2. Reason for Notification
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
Name
Rathbones Investment Management Ltd
City of registered office (if applicable)
London
Country of registered office (if applicable)
United Kingdom
Name
City of registered office
Country of registered office
Investec Wealth & Investment (Channel Islands)
St Peter Port
Guernsey
Investec Wealth & Investment Limited
London
United Kingdom
Rathbones Investment Management International Limited
St Helier
Jersey
4. Details of the shareholder
Name
City of registered office
Country of registered office
Rathbone Nominees Limited
London
United Kingdom
BNP Paribas Limited
London
United Kingdom
Ferlim Nominees Limited
London
United Kingdom
Hero Nominees Limited
St Peter Port
Guernsey
Torch Nominees Limited
St Peter Port
Guernsey
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
13-Sep-2024
6. Date on which Issuer notified
16-Sep-2024
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
.
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)
% of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)
Total number of voting rights held in issuer
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached
3.069700
0.000000
3.069700
21535766
Position of previous notification (if applicable)
6.765500
0.000000
6.765500
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
8A. Voting rights attached to shares
Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible)
Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
% of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
% of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
GG00B4ZPCJ00
21535766
3.069700
Sub Total 8.A
21535766
3.069700%
8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted
% of voting rights
Sub Total 8.B1
8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Physical or cash settlement
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
Sub Total 8.B2
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)
Ultimate controlling person
Name of controlled undertaking
% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Rathbones Group Plc
Rathbones Investment Management Limited
0.304100
0.304100%
Rathbones Group Plc
Rathbones Investment Management International Limited
0.014800
0.014800%
Rathbones Group Plc
Investec Wealth & Investment Limited
2.684800
2.684800%
Rathbones Group Plc
Investec Wealth & Investment (Channel Islands)
0.066100
0.066100%
10. In case of proxy voting
Name of the proxy holder
The number and % of voting rights held
The date until which the voting rights will be held
11. Additional Information
None
12. Date of Completion
16-Sep-2024
13. Place Of Completion
Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool L3 1NW
Date: 12 September 2024
From: Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
LEI: 213800A2B1H4ULF3K397
(Classified Regulated Information, under DTR 6 Annex 1 Section 1.2)Interim Report for the Period ended 30 June 2024
Headlines
See below for recommended all-cash acquisition of the Company and dividends update. Earnings per Ordinary Share of -2.0 pence per share for the six-months ended 30 June 2024 (H1 2023: 1.1 pence per share) Net asset value per Ordinary Share was 105.1 pence as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 109.8 pence) Net asset value total return* of -1.9 per cent for the 6 months ended 30 June 2024 is calculated assuming dividends are re-invested (H1 2023: +0.8 per cent). Share price total return* of +13.0 per cent for the 6 months ended 30 June 2024 (H1 2023: -23.0 per cent). Cash dividend cover for the 6 months ended 30 June 2024 was 107.6 per cent (H1 2023: 117.6 per cent) During the six-months ended 30 June 2024, disposed of two office holdings at an aggregate sales price of £53.8 million, 3.9 per cent below valuation as at 31 December 2023. Further detail can be found in the Managers’ Review below. A further three office disposals were completed post period-end with an aggregate sales price of £60.7 million. These disposals are part of the strategic repositioning of the portfolio and were in line with the 30 June 2024 valuations. Portfolio return of -0.5 per cent over the 6 months to June 2024 (H1 2023: 1.5 per cent) versus the MSCI UK Quarterly Property Index return of 1.8 per cent. (H1 2023: 0.3 per cent).
* See Alternative Performance Measures
Chairman’s Statement
The real estate sector spent much of the first half of the year awaiting greater clarity on the path of interest rates. This August saw the end of the tightening cycle as the Bank of England delivered a 0.25 per cent cut to the base rate. Prior to this cut, there were some signs of renewed investor appetite, and whilst still modest, there has been an increase in transaction volumes over the first six months of the year compared to the last six months of 2023.
Whilst geopolitical challenges persist, this modest increase in activity can perhaps be attributed to the expectation of a more stable market backdrop. The UK economy expanded moderately in the first two quarters of 2024, following a shallow technical recession in the second half of 2023. The inflation rate hit the Bank of England’s 2.0 per cent target rate in May for the first time since July 2021, and political uncertainty reduced with the election of a Labour Party governing with a significant majority.
The second quarter of 2024 saw the MSCI UK Quarterly Property Index (‘the Index’) return to capital growth for the first time since June 2022, with the industrial and retail warehousing sectors benefitting most notably. However, it is income that has been the consistent driver of total returns in recent periods, as occupational markets have generally proven to be more resilient than many expected despite the challenges posed to the UK economy and consumers.
Company Performance
Against this economic and property market backdrop, the Company has delivered a net asset value (‘NAV’) total return of -1.9 per cent for the six months to 30 June 2024. The NAV per share as at 30 June 2024 was 105.1 pence, down 4.3 per cent from 109.8 pence per share as at 31 December 2023.
The share price performed strongly over the period with a positive total return of 13.0 per cent for the six months and the discount to NAV narrowing to 24.6 per cent at the period end, compared to 34.0 per cent at 31 December 2023.
The following table provides an analysis of the movement in the NAV per share during the period.
Pence
NAV per share as at 31 December 2023
109.8
Unrealised decrease in valuation of property portfolio
(3.8)
Losses on sale of investment properties realised
(0.4)
Other net revenue
2.1
Dividends paid
(2.6)
NAV per share as at 30 June 2024
105.1
Portfolio Performance
The Company’s portfolio delivered a negative total return of 0.5 per cent over the first six months of the year, underperforming the Index return of 1.8 per cent.
While the portfolio delivered income outperformance, a capital return of -3.3 per cent against the Index return of -0.6 per cent dragged performance at the portfolio level. This underperformance can primarily be attributed to the portfolio’s exposure to offices, and particularly its regional business parks, a sector with a challenged outlook.
The Company has sought to address the level of its exposure to offices, and a number of disposals have been completed as we seek to align the portfolio towards favoured growth sectors. The portfolio carried a weighting towards the office sector as at 30 June 2024 of 19.9 per cent (31 December 2023: 26.5 per cent.). There were £53.8 million of sales during the period at a 3.9 per cent. discount to the year-end valuation and the office exposure has fallen to 14.3 per cent on completion of recently announced disposals post-period of £60.7 million which were sold in line with their 30 June 2024 valuations. This compares to an Index exposure of 22.7 per cent.
These sales have raised significant cash, underlining the liquidity of the assets.
Performance has been strongest from retail warehousing where yields continue to tighten, given the high level of investment demand and low vacancy rates in the sector. The Company’s two retail parks have therefore witnessed capital growth in the period, with these assets being fully let to a strong tenant base.
Cash and Borrowings
The Company had £67.3 million of available cash as at 30 June 2024. All cash balances were held in interest-bearing deposit accounts with competitive variable interest rates. Following the post period end office sales, the Company currently has c.£120 million of available cash.
The Company has a £260 million term loan in place with L&G which matures in December 2024 (the ‘L&G Loan’). The Company signed up to a new debt facility in September 2023 which has been provided by incumbent lender, Barclays Bank plc, and HSBC UK Bank plc. This facility has been structured with two tranches, being (a) a £60 million revolving credit facility (‘RCF’) and (b) a £260 million term loan, which can only be drawn to refinance the existing L&G Loan. The £60 million RCF is currently undrawn, with proceeds from the office sales used to pay back the £30 million drawn down at the start of the period. The new debt facility is available until 13 September 2025 with the option of two one-year extensions (subject to lender approval and the first of which would have to be requested by 15 November 2024). As at 30 June 2024, the Company’s loan to value, net of cash, was 20.7 per cent.
Strategic Review
Further to the Strategic Review launched in April this year, the Company announced on 4 September 2024 that it had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-cash acquisition by Starling Bidco Limited (a newly formed company incorporated owned by funds managed, controlled or advised by Starwood Capital or its affiliates) (‘Bidco’), pursuant to which Bidco will acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of the Company (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition is conditional on, among other things, the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a Court meeting and an extraordinary general meeting. For full details of the Acquisition, please refer to the Rule 2.7 announcement published by Bidco and the Company on 4 September 2024, available through the Company’s website at https://www.columbiathreadneedle.co.uk/bcpt-strategic-review/. Further details will be set out in the scheme document which will be sent to shareholders within 28 days of the firm offer announcement of 4 September 2024 (although this timing can be extended in certain circumstances).
Dividend
The Company paid six interim dividends of 0.44 pence per share during the period, totalling 2.64 pence per share, an increase of 10 per cent on the equivalent period in 2023. The level of dividend cover for the period was 107.6 per cent on a cash basis.
In the light of the proposed Acquisition, the Board does not intend to declare or pay any further dividends prior to the Acquisition becoming effective (which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2024), save to the extent required to ensure compliance with the REIT regime.
Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’)
The Board remains committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040 or sooner. Detailed analysis and modelling of emissions reduction trajectories has been undertaken and performance against pathway continues to be regularly reviewed. The Board and Managers believe that the portfolio is well placed to deliver on its net zero carbon ambition within a business-as-usual context. The Managers and Board continue to pay attention to all material ESG matters. Ongoing progress is summarised later in this report whilst more detailed insight is provided in the 2023 ESG Report, published in April 2024.
Outlook
Amid cautious optimism in the capital markets, and a more supportive economic backdrop, there are tentative signs that the outlook for certain real estate sectors may be beginning to turn. While the geopolitical landscape remains volatile, a number of market participants are beginning to look to the next stage of the cycle.
The Managers have made progress in repositioning the portfolio which has increased the Company’s exposure to those sectors which are projected to offer the most favourable performance outlook.
Paul Marcuse
Chairman
11 September 2024
Forward looking statements
Certain statements in this report are forward looking statements. By their nature, forward looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. Forward looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements.
Performance Summary
Half year ended 30 June 2024
Half year ended 30 June 2023
% change
Total Returns for the period *
Net asset value per share
-1.9%
+0.8%
-2.8%
Ordinary Share price
+13.0%
-23.0%
+36.0%
Portfolio
-0.5%
+1.5%
-2.0%
MSCI UK Quarterly Property Index
+1.8%
+0.3%
+1.5%
FTSE All-Share Index
+7.4%
+2.6%
+4.8%
Half year ended 30 June 2024
Year ended 31 December 2023
% change
Capital Values
Total assets less current liabilities (£’000)
740,656
799,590
-7.4%
Net asset value per share
105.1p
109.8p
-4.4%
EPRA Net Tangible Assets per share*
105.1p
109.8p
-4.4%
Ordinary Share price
79.2p
72.5p
+9.2%
FTSE All-Share Index
4,451.9
4,232.0
+5.2%
Ordinary share price discount to net asset value per share*
(24.6)%
(34.0)%
+9.4%
Net Gearing *
20.6%
24.4%
-3.7%
Earnings and Dividends
Half year ended 30 June 2024
Half year ended 30 June 2023
Earnings per Ordinary Share
(2.0)p
1.1p
TO: RNS
FROM: Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited
L.E.I.: 213800A2B1H4ULF3K397
DATE: 07 August 2024
Dividend Declaration
(Classified Regulated Information, under DTR 6 Annex 1 section 2.3)
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited today announces a monthly property income distribution payment in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2024 of 0.44 pence per share as detailed in the schedule below.
The key dates for this interim dividend are as follows:
Ex-Dividend Date
Record Date
Pay Date
15 August 2024
16 August 2024
30 August 2024
All enquiries:
The Company Secretary
Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Trafalgar Court
Les Banques
St Peter Port Guernsey
GY1 3QL
Tel: 01481 745001
Fax: 01481 745051