Our Services
Ofex
Expanding businesses may have the capability to graduate from private company status to become listed or fully quoted on a recognised Stock Exchange. The costs of a full listing on the Stock Exchange or even on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) are very considerable and tend to deter all but the most profitable of companies.
There is, however, a third option, which is to register on Ofex, (which means "off Exchange"). This is a trading facility for companies who want the possibility to trade their shares and, perhaps, the chance to graduate to AIM or a full listing in due course.
The costs of joining Ofex are much less than the costs of a full flotation and the annual running costs and regulatory burden are also greatly reduced. Many companies are able to raise funds to expand their business while the publicity of being listed on Ofex can also produce commercial benefits. Several football clubs and also Weetabix are on Ofex, principally to provide some measure of marketability for their shareholders, albeit on a matched-bargain basis.
One of the most important benefits of an Ofex listing is that it enables the management of what has been a private company to get used to operating with the discipline of being in the public eye. If the rigours of good Corporate Governance under the Ofex regulations are too onerous, then a full listing is clearly not a route to be pursued.
To help the owners of expanding businesses through the possibilities of a listing or an Initial Public Offering "IPO" to raise funds combined with a listing, Body Dubois is here to assist you. James Dubois has been a director of one company listed on Ofex and has been Chairman of two others. One of these was taken private after a partial acquisition by a venture capitalist and the other has graduated to AIM.
Not every business, or its management, is suitable for the Ofex route. To explore the alternative strategies, you are welcome to contact James for a confidential initial discussion.
|
