Panel determination on New Image Group 2013 takeover

Takeovers Panel determination on New Image Group takeover in 2013 In December 2020, the Takeovers Panel held a two-day meeting under section 32 of the Takeovers Act 1993 (the Act) to inquire into potential non-compliance with the Takeovers Code (the Code) by New Image Trustee Limited (NTL) (now named New Image Group Limited) and New Image Group Limited (NEW) (now named New Image Holdings Limited) during the 2013 takeover of NEW by NTL (the Offer). As NEW was listed on NZX at the relevant time, the Offer was regulated by the Code. The Offer was made at $0.26 cash per share. NEW was privatised as result of the Offer and delisted from NZX in May 2013. The Panel received a complaint in June 2019, alleging breaches of the Code that took place during the Offer, including that NTL breached an enforceable undertaking given to the Panel not to undertake a selective offer offering certain NEW shareholders shares in NTL instead of cash. Notwithstanding the elapsed time between the alleged breaches and the complaint, the allegations were of a serious nature and the Panel decided to investigate. Following the investigation, the Panel called a meeting under section 32 of the Act. Today, the Panel released its determination and statement of reasons. The Panel determined that: a) it was not satisfied that NTL complied with the Code by making a selective offer, to certain NEW shareholders, of shares in NTL instead of cash; b) it was not satisfied that NTL complied with the Code by offering different terms and/or providing different consideration to an individual NEW shareholder by not paying the shareholder on the same date as other shareholders, and by paying the shareholder in instalments, and in a different amount to other shareholders; c) it was not satisfied that NTL complied with the Code by not providing required disclosures in respect of certain persons who were acting jointly or in concert with NTL at the time of the Offer; and d) it was not satisfied that NEW complied with the Code by not providing required disclosures in respect of certain persons who were associated with a director of NEW at the time of the Offer. The Panel's decision does not address the alleged breach of the undertaking given by NTL and is restricted to considering non-compliance with the Code. This is because the Panel does not have jurisdiction to determine whether an undertaking has been breached. Any determination as to whether an undertaking has been breached falls under the Court's jurisdiction. The Panel will exercise its discretion to make orders in relation to payment of costs in respect of the section 32 meeting in due course. The Panel has not decided on what further actions, if any, it will take at this stage. The Panel will consider the options and advise the market. End CA:00367652 For:TKOP Type:MKTUPDTE Time:2021-02-16 10:07:49