To view the PDF file, sign up for a MySharenet subscription.

UNIVERSAL PARTNERS LIMITED - Investment in JSA Services Limited

Release Date: 10/05/2018 13:38
Code(s): UPL     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Investment in JSA Services Limited

UNIVERSAL PARTNERS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of Mauritius)
(Registration number: 138035 C1/GBL)
SEM share code: UPL.N0000
JSE share code: UPL ISIN: MU0526N00007
(“Universal Partners” or “the Company”)


INVESTMENT IN JSA SERVICES LIMITED


THE TRANSACTION

Shareholders of Universal Partners and the general public are hereby advised that the Company concluded an
agreement on 9 May 2018 to invest in JSA Services Limited (“JSA”), a leading Professional Employment
Organisation (“PEO”) in the United Kingdom (“UK”), for a total consideration of GBP 11 million (“Purchase
Consideration”) (“the Transaction”).

Universal Partners has acquired a significant minority stake in JSA with the existing shareholders and
management of the business retaining majority control. Universal Partners will be the largest single shareholder
in JSA. The Purchase Consideration will be paid via an upfront component at closing and a deferred payment,
subject to JSA’s financial performance during the current financial year, ending 30 September 2018.

The relevant agreements, which contain standard terms and conditions for a transaction of this nature, have been
executed and all conditions precedent relating to the Transaction have been completed.

Per the Company’s Listing Particulars dated 11 August 2017, the principal activity of Universal Partners is to
hold investments in high quality growth businesses with the primary objective of achieving strong capital
appreciation over the medium- to long-term from such private equity investments. The investment in JSA is in
line with the investment strategy of the Company as stated in its Listing Particulars.


OVERVIEW OF JSA

JSA is a PEO that provides Limited Company, Umbrella and Payroll services to contractors and temporary
workers in the UK. The business is headquartered in Watford and operates under two brands: JSA Services and
Clever Accounts, the latter being a rapidly growing online service platform. Over the past 5 years, JSA has grown
organically and via acquisitions (having completed and integrated 6 acquisitions in this period), currently
servicing roughly 10,000 customers. JSA is a Top 5 player in each of its markets, and one of only 16 fully
accredited members of the Freelance Contractors Services Association (“FCSA”), which requires it to pass a
rigorous annual independent audit process.

The proportion of flexible and self-employed workers to total employment continues to grow, providing the UK
economy with flexibility and resulting in record low unemployment figures. At the same time, the highly
fragmented PEO market is consolidating, driven by increased regulations relating to labour and tax requirements.
JSA’s highly compliant, technology-led platform and experienced, dynamic management team, is well placed to
deliver strong growth and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the continued expansion, consolidation
and regulation of the sector.

Andrew Goodman, JSA’s Executive Chairman, acquired a majority shareholding in JSA in 2009 and has been
instrumental in building the business, established in 1989. Mr Goodman is a recruitment industry veteran having
founded, acquired, listed, and served on the boards of numerous recruitment and PEO businesses. Given current
opportunities, he felt that JSA would be best placed to benefit by introducing a partner with Universal Partner’s
capabilities. Following the investment by Universal Partners in JSA, Mr Goodman will be the next largest single
shareholder in JSA.

John Hoskin, the current Chief Executive Officer, joined JSA following JSA’s acquisition of Online Professional
Limited (“OPL”) in April 2017. John Hoskin has been involved in the sector since 2011 and developed OPL’s
scalable and compliant online platform, Clever Accounts. Mr Hoskin is a Chartered Accountant with previous
Financial Director experience in FTSE listed and Private Equity backed companies.

Kwasi Missah, the Chief Operating Officer, joined JSA in 2009 as Chief Technology Officer and has been
responsible for building the technology enabled platform and team that deliver a high quality, compliant service.
Mr Missah previously held technology leadership positions at a global hedge fund and Goldman Sachs.

Both Mr Missah and Mr Hoskin will remain substantial shareholders in JSA post the investment of Universal
Partners in JSA.

Universal Partners will be represented on the JSA board of directors by Pierre Joubert and Andrew Birrell who
are both executive directors of the Company.

CATEGORISATION OF THE TRANSACTION

The Transaction constitutes an undertaking in the ordinary course of business of Universal Partners and therefore
does not fall within the scope of Chapter 13 of the Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd (“SEM”).
Universal Partners has its primary listing on the Official Market of the SEM and a secondary listing on the
Alternative Exchange of the JSE Limited.

By order of the Board

10 May 2018


For further information please contact:


                                          
JSE sponsor   
Java Capital                                                                                                             
Tel: +27 11 722 3050

SEM authorised representative and sponsor
Perigeum Capital
Tel: +230 402 0890                    

Company Secretary
Intercontinental Trust Ltd
Tel: +230 403 0800




This notice is issued pursuant to SEM Listing Rule 11.3 and Rule 5(1) of the Securities (Disclosure Obligations
of Reporting Issuers) Rules 2007. The board of directors of Universal Partners Limited accepts full responsibility
for the accuracy of the information contained in this announcement.

Date: 10/05/2018 01:38:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
 the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, 
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
 information disseminated through SENS.

Share This Story