The proposals can be found here.
The UK intends to replace the current statutory regime contained in the UK Prospectus Regulation which applies to companies when carrying out an IPO on a regulated market and/or raising of funds via the public. Instead the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will be given enhanced rule-making responsibilities. Allowing IPOs and public fundraisings to be governed by FCA rules rather than statute will allow the UK listing regime to be more agile and effect changes more quickly to the benefit of both issuers and investors.
As part of these proposals it is envisaged that the FCA will have discretion to determine the instances when an issuer needs to prepare a prospectus. Whilst it is likely that a prospectus will still be required by the FCA in connection with an IPO on a regulated market, the FCA will be able to determine whether an issuer needs to prepare a prospectus for secondary fundraisings. The new regime will also have a number of new exemptions from the requirement to issue a prospectus which will be able to be utilised by a greater number of issuers when raising money via the public markets. Being able to raise money without needing to have an FCA-approved prospectus will dramatically reduce the time and costs incurred by issuers who wish to raise funds via the public markets.
The UK will become more attractive to companies which are publicly listed in an overseas jurisdiction as overseas companies will be able to raise funds via the UK public markets without need to obtain FCA-approval of any offering documents. Instead the FCA will create a new regulatory deference regime which will allow publicly listed overseas companies to raise funds in the UK based on offering documents previously approved by their own regulator. We expect this to result in a significant inflow of public fundraisings by listed overseas companies once implemented.
The UK is also keen to ensure that UK private limited companies are able to raise funds and, similarly, that retail investors are given the opportunity to participate in such fundraisings. The FCA will implement a new regulatory regime to encourage retail investors to invest in UK private limited companies via electronic platforms such as crowd funding sites or Primary Bid. The new regime will also allow UK private limited companies to raise funds from retail investors without having to prepare an FCA-approved prospectus in excess of the current €8 million limit. As a result, UK companies will be able to raise more funds from a greater pool of potential investors whilst retail investors will get more opportunities to invest in a greater number of quality UK companies and share in their successes going forward.
These proposed changes, once implemented, clearly show that the UK remains firmly open for business post-Brexit and that investment in the UK by retail investors is actively being encouraged by the UK Government. This should be welcomed by issuers and investors alike.
Please get in touch with John Campion or Jemil Visram or your contact in the DWF Equity Capital Markets Team if you would like to learn more.
