Update on migration of uncertificated shares from CREST to the Euroclear Bank system
EQTEC plc (AIM: EQT), a world leading gasification technology solutions company for sustainable waste-to-energy projects, provides the following update in relation to the migration of Irish corporate securities from CREST to Euroclear Bank (“Migration”) under the Migration of Participating Securities Act 2019 (“2019 Act”).
EQTEC confirms that it has taken all necessary steps in connection with the proposed Migration of the electronic holding and settlement of its shares from the CREST system to the Euroclear Bank system.
Migration is expected to take effect on Monday, 15 March 2021, alongside the migration to Euroclear Bank of the holding and settlement of the securities of all Irish companies with securities that are listed and traded in Dublin and/or London.
Migration
As previously announced, at the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 17 February 2021 (the “EGM”) shareholders approved Migration and authorised the Board to take all steps necessary to implement it.
In accordance with the terms of the Migration of Participating Securities Act 2019 and these authorities, the Company has consented to Migration and has made the requisite notifications to the Irish Companies Registration Office and Euronext Dublin. Accordingly, all steps required to be taken by the Company to give effect to the Migration have now been completed.
Timetable for the Migration
Euronext Dublin announced on 8 March 2021 that Market Migration remains scheduled to occur over the weekend of 12-15 March 2021, in line with the indicative timetable that was included in the Company’s circular to Shareholders in relation to the EGM dated 25 January 2021 (the “EGM Circular”). Euronext Dublin has advised that the ‘live date’ on which Migration is to take effect is 15 March 2021.
Euronext Dublin maintains a dedicated web page relating to Market Migration (on which details of the timetable and other relevant details can be found) at the following link:
https://www.euronext.com/en/migration-csd-services-for-irish-securities-crest-euroclear-bank
Actions to be taken by EQTEC shareholders
For EQTEC shareholders who hold their shares in paper form (i.e. outside of CREST and in “certificated” form) there will be no change to what is owned and how it is held. Therefore, the impact of the Migration on such shareholders is expected to be minimal and no immediate action is required.
For EQTEC shareholders who hold their shares through CREST (in uncertificated form), the Migration will result in changes to what is technically owned, how the interest is held, and how rights related to the shares will be exercised. Details of those changes are set out in the EGM Circular. Specifically:
· Retail shareholders who hold their shares electronically in CREST – through a broker, custodian or nominee – will continue to hold their interest through that broker, custodian or nominee, as a CREST Depository Interest or (assuming the broker, custodian or nominee is or becomes a participant in the Euroclear System in the way they are in CREST) as a Belgian Law Right in the Euroclear System.
· Institutional shareholders who hold their Shares electronically in CREST directly in their own name (i.e. as a CREST member), will continue to be able to hold their interests in shares directly in their own name as a CREST Depository Interest or (provided they become a participant in the Euroclear Bank system) as a Belgian Law Right in the Euroclear Bank system. Where such shareholders wish to hold their interests in shares via the Euroclear Bank system but are not or do not become a Euroclear Bank participant, they will need to enter into an arrangement with a broker, custodian or nominee who is a participant, so that they can hold the relevant interest for them.
If they have not done so already, EQTEC shareholders holding their shares in CREST are strongly encouraged to consult with their stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest opportunity. The Migration will result in a significant change in both the form and nature of shareholding in the Company, and the substance of, and manner in which, rights can be exercised. In particular, Migration will result in important changes to the processes and timelines for submitting proxy voting instructions for the Company’s AGM, which will be held later this year. Shareholders should familiarise themselves with the new processes and timelines, and ensure all necessary actions have been taken on their part and by their stockbroker or other intermediary, to ensure they can continue to enjoy their rights as an EQTEC shareholder in the context of the new Euroclear system.
Important notes
Unless the context otherwise required, defined terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the EGM Circular.
