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Joint Announcement regarding the creation of a Long-Term Active Asset Management Relationship
NINETY ONE LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 2019/526481/06)
JSE Share Code: NY1
ISIN: ZAE000282356
NINETY ONE PLC
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registration number: 12245293)
LSE Share Code: N91
JSE Share Code: N91
ISIN: GB00BJHPLV88
LEI: 549300G0TJCT3K15ZG14
SANLAM LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1959/001562/06)
JSE & A2X Share Code: SLM; NSX Share Code: SLA
ISIN: ZAE000070660
("Sanlam" or "Sanlam Group")
SANLAM LIFE INSURANCE LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1998/021121/06)
LEI: 378900E10332DF012A23
Bond Issuer Code: BISLI
("Sanlam Life")
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AND IS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A
VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION
JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM ACTIVE ASSET
MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SANLAM AND NINETY ONE
Sanlam and Ninety One (the dual-listed company consisting of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited)
have entered into a binding Framework Agreement ("FWA"). Under the terms of the FWA, the parties
have agreed to establish a long-term relationship whereby Sanlam will appoint Ninety One as its
primary active investment manager for single-managed local and global products ("Proposed
Transaction").
As part of the Proposed Transaction, Ninety One will acquire all the issued shares in Sanlam Investment
Management Proprietary Limited ("SIM")(1), an active investment management business wholly owned
by Sanlam Investment Holdings Limited ("SIH"), in which the Sanlam Group holds an effective 65.6% interest.
1) Following the implementation of the Proposed Transaction, SIM will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ninety One
Limited and its memorandum of incorporation will adhere to the provisions of Schedule 10 of the JSE Listings
Requirements.
In addition, Sanlam will appoint Ninety One as the permanent investment manager to manage
assets for Sanlam Investments UK Limited ("SI UK"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sanlam Group.
Furthermore, Sanlam will serve as an anchor investor in Ninety One's international private and
specialist credit strategies that meet its investment requirements.
As consideration for the Proposed Transaction, the Sanlam Group will receive an approximate 12.3%
equity stake in Ninety One through a combination of Ninety One Limited and Ninety One plc shares,
thereby establishing the Sanlam Group as a long-term shareholder of Ninety One.
1. BACKGROUND TO THE PARTIES AND RATIONALE FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
1.1. Ninety One:
Ninety One, established in 1991 in South Africa, is an active investment manager for third-party
clients. From its emerging market origins, the firm has built a global presence. Ninety One is listed
on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. Over the years, Ninety One has built
substantial relationships with many of South Africa's leading financial institutions.
The Proposed Transaction strengthens the relationship with Sanlam. Ninety One will gain
preferred access to Sanlam's distribution network, expanding its market reach through Sanlam's
established channels and into savings pools outside the normal reach of the Ninety One brand.
Furthermore, anchor investment will be provided for Ninety One to accelerate the expansion of
its international private credit offerings. This relationship enables Ninety One to bolster its South
African market leadership and reinforces its ability to deliver outcomes that benefit clients over
the long term.
Hendrik du Toit, Ninety One Founder and Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Sanlam, a business with a
powerful brand and significant scale in South Africa. Our experience and expertise are
complementary. This agreement will give us the opportunity, as leaders in our respective markets,
to create additional value for our stakeholders. We are making a substantial investment in the
future of South Africa."
1.2. Sanlam:
Founded in 1918, Sanlam is the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa and is listed
on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange(2), Namibian Stock Exchange and A2X Markets Limited.
Sanlam operates in 31 countries, including eight of the top ten largest African economies. Sanlam
offers a wide range of financial solutions, including life and general insurance, health, financial
planning, retirement, investments, wealth management and credit, to institutional and retail
clients. As a leading player in the non-banking financial services sector, Sanlam has built an
extensive distribution network within the South African market, delivering solutions to a diverse
client base.
2) A list of the top shareholders holding 5% or more is available in the most recent Sanlam Integrated Report (as
of 31 December 2023) available on Sanlam's website (https://www.sanlam.com/).
The Proposed Transaction with Ninety One supports Sanlam's strategy to strengthen its position
in South Africa. Sanlam has a complete range of investment capabilities to ensure that assets can
be managed optimally on behalf of clients and shareholders. As a core building block of its
investment solutions, Sanlam's active asset management capability will be strengthened by this
arrangement. Over time, Sanlam anticipates that Ninety One's investment culture and research
processes will further enhance the competence of the current Sanlam teams, enabling them to
deliver even better outcomes for clients.
Sanlam purposefully selected Ninety One after identifying them as the pre-eminent South African
active asset manager. A key factor in this decision was Ninety One's integrated approach to
managing South African and offshore assets, reflecting the demands of an increasingly global
industry. With a shared long-term philosophy and commitment to positive impact, Sanlam and
Ninety One aim to forge a long-term relationship based on mutual trust, designed to unlock
opportunities and optimise outcomes for shareholders and clients alike. Additionally, Sanlam has
chosen to act as an anchor investor in Ninety One's international private credit strategies. This
strategic move complements Sanlam's own private credit initiatives and addresses its long-term
need for high-quality private credit assets, positioning the group to meet growing market demand
effectively.
Paul Hanratty, Sanlam Group Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"Sanlam is pleased to partner with a like-minded business with a shared South African heritage,
proven global expertise and a reputable brand. By leveraging our complementary competencies,
Sanlam Investments will be strengthening its South African and global position as a multi-skilled
asset manager. Coupled with Sanlam Investments' market-leading expertise in passive and
alternative asset classes, as well as multi-managed solutions, the relationship is set to unlock
value for its clients, distribution force and shareholders."
2. OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
The FWA includes the following key terms:
• Sale of SIM: SIH will dispose of its entire shareholding in SIM to Ninety One, delivering
SIM as a clean legal entity, inclusive of all SIM's active assets under management
("AUM"), associated revenue streams, and investment professionals, preserving the
entity's operational continuity.
• Investment Management Agreement ("IMA") for SI UK assets: Ninety One will be
appointed as the permanent investment manager for specific SI UK in-scope AUM. To
facilitate Ninety One's management of the in-scope SI UK assets, the associated SI UK
investment professionals responsible for these assets will transition to Ninety One.
• Execution of various operative agreements ("Operative Agreements"): The Operative
Agreements will comprise a 15-year relationship agreement as well as transaction
agreements to formalise the arrangement between the parties.
Prior to implementing the sale of SIM, SIH will be responsible for a reorganisation of SIM to
transfer out all business activities and associated costs not forming part of the active asset
management business. Only investment professionals responsible for the management of assets
will be retained in SIM and all other costs relating to the business will be transferred to other
entities within the Sanlam Investments cluster.
3. TRANSACTION CONSIDERATION
The parties have agreed that the purchase consideration for the Proposed Transaction will be
settled by the issue of a fixed number of Ninety One shares. This equates to approximately a 12.3%
shareholding in Ninety One (calculated on the day prior to this announcement), with Sanlam
Group holding an effective shareholding of approximately 9.2% in Ninety One when excluding ARC
Financial Services Investments Proprietary Limited and Absa Financial Services Limited as indirect
minority shareholders in SIH.
4. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The in-scope SIM and SI UK AUM amount to approximately R400 billion (approximately GBP17
billion) as of 30 September 2024, with approximately 80% currently being managed in South
Africa. For Sanlam, the Proposed Transaction is anticipated to be slightly earnings and dividend
dilutive in the initial years. However, the Proposed Transaction is expected to become earnings
accretive from year three onward as the strategic benefits begin to materialise.
Accordingly, the Proposed Transaction will increase Ninety One's AUM by approximately GBP17
billion by reference to 30 September 2024. For Ninety One, the Proposed Transaction is
anticipated to be earnings and dividend accretive from inception.
The value of the net assets that are the subject of the Proposed Transaction and the profits
attributable thereto, will be finalised as part of the Operative Agreements referred to above. A
further announcement will be released by Ninety One to its shareholders at an appropriate time,
once finalised.
5. MATERIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The longstop date for the finalisation and execution of the Operative Agreements is 31 March
2025. The effective date of the Proposed Transaction will be dependent on the fulfilment of the
suspensive conditions to the Operative Agreements.
The Operative Agreements will provide for customary warranties, indemnities, interim period
undertakings and termination mechanisms that are normal for a transaction of this nature,
including the obtaining of the necessary approvals from shareholders and the regulatory
authorities in South Africa, the United Kingdom and any other applicable jurisdiction.
6. CATEGORISATION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
In accordance with Section 9 of the JSE Listings Requirements, the Proposed Transaction falls
below the Category 2 threshold for Sanlam. As such, this announcement is made on a voluntary
basis and no Sanlam shareholder approvals are required.
For Ninety One, the Proposed Transaction qualifies as a Category 2 transaction under Section 9 of
the JSE Listings Requirements. Given the issuance of shares required as part of the Proposed
Transaction, shareholder approval from both Ninety One Limited and Ninety One plc shareholders
is necessary and will be sought in due course following execution of the Operative Agreements.
Ninety One shareholders will be kept informed in this regard.
7. INVESTOR AND ANALYST CONFERENCE CALL
Separate conference calls for analysts and investors will be held today, 20 November 2024.
Ninety One will host a webcast at 09:00 (UK time). Those wishing to participate should navigate
to https://ninetyone.com/interim-results-webcast for a registration link to the webcast.
The Sanlam webcast will take place at 17:00 (South African time). Those wishing to participate
should navigate to https://my.100.lumiconnect.com/r/participant/live-meeting/100-172-033-036.
Access details for each call are also available on the companies' websites.
20 November 2024
Ninety One Enquiries:
Ninety One Investor Relations
ir@ninetyone.com
Ninety One Public Relations:
Kotie Basson (for South Africa)
kotie.basson@ninetyone.com
+27 (0) 82 375 1317
The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Ninety One is
Amina Rasool, Company Secretary.
This announcement is being released simultaneously on the LSE and JSE in accordance with the rules
applicable to dual listed company structures and will be made available on the Ninety One website at
www.ninetyone.com.
JSE Sponsor to Ninety One:
J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Financial Advisor to Ninety One:
Rothschild & Co South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Legal Advisors to Ninety One:
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc.
Linklaters LLP
Sanlam Enquiries:
Sanlam Investor Relations
ir@sanlam.co.za
JSE Equity Sponsor to Sanlam Limited:
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
JSE Debt Sponsor to Sanlam Life Insurance Limited:
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
NSX sponsor to Sanlam Ltd:
Simonis Storm Securities (Pty) Ltd
Legal Advisors to Sanlam:
Webber Wentzel
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP
Forward looking statements
This announcement, oral statements made regarding the Proposed Transaction, and other
information published by Ninety One (where it relates to Ninety One) and/or Sanlam (where it relates
to Sanlam) (jointly the "Parties") may contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not
based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the respective
management of the Parties about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement
include statements relating to the expected effects of the Proposed Transaction for the Parties, the
expected timing and scope of the Proposed Transaction and other statements other than historical
facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-
looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes",
or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may",
"could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although the Parties
believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Parties
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances
that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be
construed in the light of such factors. Neither the Parties nor any of their respective associates or
directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the
occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this
announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-
looking statements. Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations (including
under the UK Listing Rules, the JSE Listings Requirements and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules
of the FCA and/or Chapter X of the Financial Markets Act in South Africa), the Parties are under no
obligation, and expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or profit estimate.
No offer or solicitation
This announcement is not intended to, and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer to sell or an
invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities.
Date: 20-11-2024 09:01:00
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