BMK Benchmark Holdings Plc

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            16 December 2024

Benchmark Holdings plc

Result of General Meeting to approve the Disposal of the Genetics Business

Benchmark Holdings plc ("Benchmark" or the "Company"), a market leading aquaculture genetics, specialist nutrition, and health business, announces that at a general meeting of the Company held at 11.00 a.m. (UK time) today, the resolution to approve the sale of the Company's Genetics business area (by way of the disposal of Benchmark Genetics Limited and Benchmark Genetics Norway AS and their respective subsidiaries) (the "Genetics Business") to Starfish Bidco AS (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Holdings A/S) (the "Disposal"), pursuant to Rule 15 of the AIM Rules for Companies, was passed by shareholders voting on a poll. The results of the poll are set out below.

Shareholders are reminded that the Disposal is also conditional upon receipt of merger control and foreign investment clearances with completion expected during the first quarter of 2025. 

Enquiries

ABOUT BENCHMARK

Benchmark is a market leading aquaculture biotechnology company. Benchmark's mission is to drive sustainability in aquaculture by delivering products and solutions in genetics, advanced nutrition and health which improve yield, growth and animal health and welfare.

Through a global footprint in 26 countries and a broad portfolio of products and solutions, Benchmark addresses many of the major aquaculture species - salmon, shrimp, sea bass and sea bream, and tilapia, in all the major aquaculture regions around the world.  Find out more at www.benchmarkplc.com

OTHER NOTICES

This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction.  The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in, into or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Evercore Partners International LLP ("Evercore"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the UK, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Benchmark and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Benchmark for providing the protections afforded to clients of Evercore nor for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein.  Neither Evercore nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Evercore in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, any offer or otherwise.  Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Evercore by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or the regulatory regime established thereunder, or under the regulatory regime of any jurisdiction where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be illegal, void or unenforceable, neither Evercore nor any of its affiliates accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the contents of this announcement, and no representation, express or implied, is made by it, or purported to be made on its behalf, in relation to the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or verification of any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with Benchmark or the matters described in this document.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Evercore and its affiliates accordingly disclaim all and any responsibility or liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which they might otherwise have in respect of this announcement, or any statement contained herein.

Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., acting through its Corporate Finance Advisory M&A department, is supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and is acting as exclusive financial adviser to Benchmark and to no other party in relation to the matters described in this announcement. Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. is not responsible or liable to any other person in relation to the matters described in this announcement and third parties shall have no (direct or indirect) rights against Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.

Numis Securities Limited (trading as "Deutsche Numis") is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK and is acting as nominated adviser to the Company and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Numis nor for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither Deutsche Numis nor any of its affiliates (nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents), owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Deutsche Numis in connection with the matters set out in this announcement.