| For immediate release | 18 October 2024 |
Equals Group plc
('Equals', the 'Group' or the 'Company')
Long Term Incentive Plan
Equals Group PLC (AIM:EQLS), the fintech payments group focused on the Enterprise and SME marketplace, announces that the Company has issued 1,838,800 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company ('Ordinary Shares'). These shares have been allotted following the vesting of the Company's LTIP as announced on 18 October 2021 and where relevant, the necessary performance criteria have been met or exceeded. In order to minimise the dilution impact of these shares, the Company has arranged to net settle the awards with the tax liabilities settled out of the Company's cash reserves.
The awards are made to 31 individuals, of which nine are PDMRs as outlined below, and will be subject to a two year lock up period.
| PDMR | Existing holding of ordinary shares | Existing holding in the Share Incentive Plan of 2021 | Number of shares awarded | New total holding | % of issued shares |
| Ian Strafford-Taylor CEO | 2,200,250 | 10,000 | 750,000 minus liability of 352,500 | 2,607,750 | 1.370% |
| Richard Cooper CFO | 1,183,334 | 10,000 | 500,000 minus liability of 235,000 | 1,458,334 | 0.766% |
| James Simcox Chief Product Officer | 4,000 | 10,000 | 250,000 minus liability of 117,500 | 146,500 | 0.077% |
| Matthijs Boon Chief Operating Officer | - | 10,000 | 250,000 minus liability of 117,500 | 142,500 | 0.075% |
| Andrew Phillips Chief Technology Officer | - | 10,000 | 250,000 minus liability of 117,500 | 142,500 | 0.075% |
| Simon England Chief Infrastructure Officer | - | 10,000 | 250,000 minus liability of 117,500 | 142,500 | 0.075% |
| Darren Kilner Diector of Dealing | - | 10,000 | 70,000 minus liabilityof 32,900 | 47,100 | 0.025% |
| Jack Bryant Director of Operations | 152,686 | 10,000 | 70,000 minus liability of 32,900 | 199,786 | 0.105% |
| Stephen Paul Deputy CFO | - | 6,000 | 50,000 minus liability of 23,500 | 32,500 | 0.017% |
Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for these Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM ('Admission'). It is expected that Admission will occur at 8:00 a.m. on 23 October 2024. The Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares in the Company.
Following Admission, the Company will have 190,371,498 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in issue admitted to trading on AIM. The Company holds no shares in Treasury. Accordingly, the figure of 190,371,498 may be used as the denominator for the calculations by which shareholders will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
Further information is provided below in accordance with Article 19(3) of the UK Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014.
- Ends -
For more information, please contact:
| Equals Group plc | |
| Ian Strafford-Taylor, CEO Richard Cooper, CFO | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7778 9308
|
| Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Adviser & Broker) | |
| Max Hartley / Harry Rees | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8150
|
| Burson Buchanan (Financial Communications) | |
| Henry Harrison-Topham / Steph Whitmore / Toto Berger | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
|
Notes to Editors:
Equals Group plc is a technology-led international payments group augmented by highly personalised service for the payment needs of SME's whether these be FX, card payments or via Faster Payments. Founded in 2007, the Group listed on AIM in 2014. For more information, please visit www.equalsplc.com.
Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Ian Straffod-Taylor
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Executive Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Richard Cooper
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Finance Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Matthijs Boon
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Operating Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Jack Bryant
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Director of Operations
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Simon England
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Infrastructure Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Darren Kilner
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Director of Dealing
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Stephen Paul
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Deputy CFO
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | Andrew Phillips
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Executive Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
| 1 | Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated | |||||
| a) | Name | James Simcox
| ||||
| 2 | Reason for the notification | |||||
| a) | Position/status | Chief Product Officer
| ||||
| b)
| Initial notification /Amendment | Initial notification | ||||
| 3
| Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor | |||||
| a) | Name | Equals Group plc
| ||||
| b) | LEI | 213800CPI5S2GYB3RI27
| ||||
| 4
| Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted | |||||
| a)
| Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code | Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each
ISIN: GB00BLS0XX25 | ||||
| b) | Nature of the transaction | Award of ordinary shares | ||||
| c) | Price(s) and volume(s) |
| ||||
| d) | Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price |
n/a single transaction
| ||||
| e) | Date of the transaction | 18 October 2024 | ||||
| f) | Place of the transaction | Outside a trading venue | ||||
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