17 October 2011
THB Group plc
("THB" or the "Company")
Possible Offer Deadline
This announcement is not an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer will be made.
On 19 September 2011, THB announced a possible offer deadline for AmWINS Group Inc. ("AmWINS") of not later than 5.00 p.m. on 17 October 2011. THB and AmWINS have since continued to progress their negotiations to arrive at a possible announcement under Rule 2.7 of the Code. However, certain pre-conditions still remain outstanding at this stage. It is anticipated that the negotiations will be completed by mid-November.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code and with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers ("the Panel"), a new possible offer deadline has been set such that, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 14 November 2011, AmWINS must either announce a firm intention to make an offer for the Company in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. In view of the small number of issues remaining to be negotiated, THB and AmWINS have agreed that no further extension to this deadline will be sought and THB has advised the Panel accordingly.
A further announcement will be made in due course.
Contacts:
Pelham Bell Pottinger (PR) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7861 3961
Zoe Pocock zpocock@pelhambellpottinger.co.uk
THB Group plc
Rob Wilkinson Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 0100
Daniel Stewart & Company Plc (Nomad) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550
Paul Shackleton/Oliver Rigby
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (Financial Advisor) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7663 5400
Nick Triggs / Max Cornu-Thenard