Very good news today as well :
http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200703271121457859T
Lighthouse Group PLC
27 March 2007
Lighthouse Group plc
('Lighthouse' or 'the Company')
Strategic Arrangements with Liverpool Victoria
Lighthouse Group plc (AIM:LGT), one of the UK's largest Independent Financial
Adviser groups and pension scheme administrators, today announces that it has
entered into new strategic arrangements ('the Arrangements') with Liverpool
Victoria Friendly Society Limited ('LV='), the UK's largest friendly society
which specialises in offering insurance and financial services to major UK
affinity groups.
Exclusive Market Access
Under the terms of the Arrangements, Lighthouse has acquired exclusive access to
provide Independent Financial Advice to affinity group members with whom LV= has
associations. These groups include 10 of the UK's largest trade unions
including Unison, TGWU, the Association of School and College Leaders, Prospect
and the GMB. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for Lighthouse to offer
independent financial advice to over 5 million members of these affinity groups.
Seamless Adviser Integration
Arrangements have been made to allow advisers and field managers employed with
LV= to commence registration with Lighthouse immediately in order to achieve a
seamless handover of adviser and client relationships.
Existing and Future Revenue Streams
Certain recurring revenues related to the LV= whole of market division have been
transferred to Lighthouse through a revenue sharing agreement, which it is
estimated will contribute over 1 million to Lighthouse revenues on an
annualised basis. The Arrangements also provide for initial revenue sharing
between the parties deriving from future affinity group business.
Financial Terms
In consideration of the Arrangements, Lighthouse has today agreed to
conditionally issue 4,172,672 new ordinary shares, with a current market value
of approximately 918,000, to LV=, which represents 4.99 per cent of the total
enlarged Lighthouse shares in issue, excluding any unexercised share options or
warrants.
LV= has also subscribed for a further 5 per cent of the total enlarged
Lighthouse shares in issue, excluding any unexercised share options or warrants,
at a price of 25 pence per share, raising approximately 1 million additional
funds for Lighthouse.
The issue and allotment of all of these shares is conditional upon the admission
to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc. Admission of
these shares is expected to take effect on 2 April 2007. LV= will then hold
8,353,706 shares representing 9.99 per cent of the issued share capital of
Lighthouse.
Notwithstanding the increased number of shares in issue, the Arrangements are
expected to be earnings enhancing for Lighthouse in the current year.
Comment
Mike Newton, LV='s Managing Director of Partnerships, said: 'Offering life,
pension and investment advice from the whole of market is an important part of
the proposition we offer to our affinity group partners. We will now be able to
offer an improved service to the members of these groups, through a specialist
IFA with wider national coverage.
'Taking a strategic equity stake in Lighthouse is a significant move, signalling
the depth of the partnership and the importance to us of continued involvement
in the whole of market advice service that our affinity group partners receive.
'This is a positive move for our customers and affinity partners and presents a
new opportunity for our sales staff. We look forward to developing a successful
partnership with Lighthouse in the months and years ahead.'
David Hickey, Lighthouse Executive Chairman said: 'LV= has unique access to the
members of a substantial number of affinity groups and we believe these
arrangements to be an important step for both parties. Through LighthouseTemple
Independent Financial Advisers, LV= will be able to offer a broader range of
comprehensive services with greater national coverage. In addition to the
potential for substantial growth in our new customer base, Lighthouse is also
pleased to boost its annual recurring income by at least a further 1 million
and its already significant cash resources by a similar amount.
'Finally, the purchase of a significant stake in Lighthouse also underscores LV=
's commitment to their affinity groups and their belief in Lighthouse's ability
to deliver comprehensive and impartial financial advice. The Board of
Lighthouse is pleased to welcome LV= as a significant shareholder.'
.