1 March 2024
FD Technologies
plc
("FD Technologies", the
"Company" or the "Group")
Conclusion of Structure
Review: merger of MRP with CONTENTgine and intention to separate KX
and First Derivative
FD Technologies (AIM: FDP.L,
Euronext Growth: FDP.I) announces an update to its structure review
announced by the Board in October 2023, which considered the
optimal organisational structure and allocation of capital to best
deliver value for shareholders.
A separate RNS has also been
released providing an update on trading, covering the performance
of KX and First Derivative.
Structure review
The Board has been considering the
appropriate structure of the Group for more than a year, taking
independent advice throughout. In October 2023 a formal review of
the options to maximise value was announced, which included
extensive consultation with shareholders and input from advisers.
Following that process, the Board has unanimously concluded that
the separation of its three businesses is in the best interest of
all shareholders.
As a first step towards this goal
the Group is pleased to announce that it has agreed to an all-share
merger of its MRP business with CONTENTgine, a provider of B2B
technology buyer insights and lead generation. Further details of
this transaction are provided below.
The Board will take a measured
approach to the separation of KX and First Derivative, particularly
with respect to the timing of any transaction, having regard to
market conditions to ensure that a divestment of First Derivative
reflects its value. The Company looks forward to engaging closely
with its investors as the process progresses.
The changes announced today
represent a major transformation of FD Technologies and reflect the
determination of the management and Board to realise value for all
stakeholders from a unique portfolio of businesses with different
capital needs and future opportunities. As we progress this plan,
we will review the appropriate Board composition and update the
market in due course.
Merger of MRP with CONTENTgine
FD Technologies has concluded that a
highly complementary all-share merger of its MRP business with
CONTENTgine is the best decision for the Group and creates a
top-tier provider in the B2B demand generation services
market.
CONTENTgine tracks content
engagement across 650 B2B software and technology categories,
identifying which organisations have the highest propensity to buy.
The combination with MRP's enterprise demand generation products
and services will create an end-to-end provider covering the entire
B2B technology sales and marketing process. The combined customer
base includes some of the largest brands in enterprise technology
and the merged business will be led by MRP CEO Christopher Rack,
assisted by the three founders of CONTENTgine.
For the financial year ending 28
February 2023, MRP generated revenue of £41.5m and adjusted EBITDA
of £1.4m while in the six months ending 31 August 2023 it generated
revenue of £15.7m and an adjusted EBITDA loss of £0.2m. In the
second half of the financial year MRP continued to incur a loss.
The combined entity is expected to be profitable from the first
quarter and generate a cash EBITDA run-rate of £5m by the end of
calendar 2024. As we deliver scale and operational savings it is
expected that profitability will continue to grow.
While it is not expected to be
utilised, the Group has made available a $5m debt facility for the
next 12 months to the combined business.
FD Technologies will own 49% of the
combined entity, which will be reflected as an associate investment
rather than consolidated in Group financial statements. The net
asset value of MRP at the date of the transaction was approximately
£19m.
Donna Troy, Chair of FD
Technologies, said: "FD Technologies has an exciting collection of
assets and at this stage in the evolution of these businesses and
against the current market valuation, it is the right decision to
take transformative action to separate them and realise value for
shareholders. I am confident we can address some of the recent
short term trading issues with the actions we have announced today
in the trading statement and with focus and input from our
management and Board we will ensure we maximise the potential
across the portfolio."
Seamus Keating, CEO of FD
Technologies, said: "The conclusion of the structure review
provides a clear path to create value for shareholders. As a first
step, we are pleased to announce the merger of MRP with CONTENTgine
to create a leader in the demand generation services market. This
transaction creates a strong, attractive business as the sector
consolidates. We will now focus on the separation of KX and First
Derivative and will update shareholders as the process
progresses."
For
further information, please contact:
FD
Technologies plc
Seamus Keating, Chief Executive
Officer
Ryan Preston, Chief Financial
Officer
Ian Mitchell, Head of Investor
Relations
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+44(0)28 3025 2242
www.fdtechnologies.com
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Investec Bank plc
(Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Carlton Nelson
Virginia Bull
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+44 (0)20 7597 5970
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Goodbody (Euronext Growth Adviser and
Broker)
Tom Nicholson
Don Harrington
Jason Molins
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+353 1 667 0420
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J.P.
Morgan Cazenove (Broker)
James A. Kelly
Mose Adigun
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+44 (0)20 3493 8000
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FTI
Consulting
Matt Dixon
Dwight Burden
Victoria Caton
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+44 (0)20 3727 1000
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About FD Technologies
FD Technologies is a group of
data-driven businesses that unlock the value of insight, hindsight
and foresight to drive organisations forward. The Group comprises
KX, which provides software to accelerate AI-driven innovation and
First Derivative, providing consulting services which drive digital
transformation in financial services and capital markets. FD
Technologies operates from 13 locations across Europe, North
America and Asia Pacific, and employs more than 2,400 people
worldwide.
For further information, please
visit www.fdtechnologies.com
and www.kx.com