Wrap Text
Joint firm intention announcement - Proposed merger between Fairvest and Arrowhead and withdrawal of cautionary
FAIRVEST PROPERTY HOLDINGS LIMITED ARROWHEAD PROPERTIES LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1998/005011/06) (Registration number 2007/032604/06)
JSE share code: FVT ISIN: ZAE 000203808 JSE share code: AHA ISIN: ZAE000275491
(Approved as a REIT by the JSE) JSE share code: AHB ISIN: ZAE000275509
(Fairvest) (Approved as a REIT by the JSE)
(Arrowhead)
JOINT FIRM INTENTION ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING A PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN FAIRVEST
AND ARROWHEAD BY WAY OF A SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT AND WITHDRAWAL OF CAUTIONARY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Introduction
Shareholders are referred to the cautionary announcements released by Arrowhead and Fairvest (the
Parties) on SENS, the latest being on 9 September 2021 and 17 September 2021, respectively; and the
SENS announcement released by Fairvest on 7 September 2021.
In those announcements Fairvest and Arrowhead shareholders were advised that:
- at the general meeting of Fairvest shareholders held on Tuesday, 7 September 2021, all the
resolutions required to be passed by Fairvest shareholders in order to authorise and approve,
inter alia, (i) the acquisition by Fairvest of certain Arrowhead B ordinary shares (AHB Shares) in
exchange for the issue of Fairvest ordinary shares (Fairvest Shares), based on a ratio of 1.85
Fairvest Shares per AHB Share (Share Swap Ratio), which would, if implemented, result in
Fairvest acquiring control of the majority of the Arrowhead shares in issue and entitling Fairvest
to exercise the majority of the voting rights attaching to all Arrowhead shares in issue (Fairvest
Acquisition) and (ii) the internalisation of Fairvest’s asset management function (Manco
internalisation) were passed by the requisite majority of Fairvest shareholders.
- as an alternative to the acquisition by Fairvest of a controlling shareholding in Arrowhead,
Arrowhead and Fairvest were engaging regarding the possibility of a single-step merger
(Merger). In line with what has been communicated in the circular issued to Fairvest shareholders
on 10 August 2021 (Fairvest Circular), if Arrowhead and Fairvest agree on the terms of a
Merger, they will work together on the appropriate process to obtain the required approvals.
However, the Merger may succeed or fail and accordingly, Fairvest proceeded to seek Fairvest
shareholder approval for, inter alia, the Fairvest Acquisition but will only implement this
transaction, once unconditional, if the Merger does not succeed for any reason.
Fairvest and Arrowhead have entered into a scheme implementation agreement and an addendum
thereto (the Implementation Agreement) setting out, inter alia, the terms and conditions of the Merger.
Although the Merger remains Fairvest-led, for structural reasons, it is proposed that Arrowhead will
acquire Fairvest.
The Merger will be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement (Scheme) in terms of section 114
of the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 (Companies Act), to be proposed by Fairvest to its shareholders
(Transaction), and to which Arrowhead will be a party. The pricing of the Transaction will mirror the
Share Swap Ratio with Arrowhead offering to issue 0.54054 AHB Shares per Fairvest Share acquired
pursuant to the Transaction (i.e. the inverse of the Share Swap Ratio) (Scheme Consideration or
Scheme Consideration Shares).
In the event that the Scheme is implemented, the listing of Fairvest Shares on the Main Board of the JSE
Limited (JSE) and on A2X will be terminated. Arrowhead shall remain listed on the Main Board of the JSE
and (subject to the necessary shareholder approval) will change its name to Fairvest Limited or the like.
2. Rationale for the Transaction
The Transaction is expected to unlock value for shareholders of both Arrowhead and Fairvest and is an
initiative that has been widely supported by shareholders of both companies.
Investors generally favour larger REITs in which their investment is liquid. In addition, key shareholders
have expressed confidence in Fairvest’s ability to unlock value both operationally and through capital
allocation within its traditional low-income retail focus as well as from other sub-classes of investment
property.
The implementation of the Merger in a single step will accelerate the new management team’s access to
the combined portfolio and brings forward the ability to realise operational cost savings, as well as cost
savings attributable to a single listing, a single board of directors, and a reduced number of executives
across the two businesses.
Both Fairvest and Arrowhead’s property portfolios are exclusively focused within South Africa and the
merged company will be the largest exclusively South African-focused REIT with a portfolio of about
R12.74 billion.
3. Nature of the businesses
Arrowhead is a diversified South African REIT listed on the JSE holding a portfolio comprising 123 retail,
office and industrial properties with a total gross lettable area of 1 024 097 m² and valued in aggregate
at R9.3 billion. Arrowhead holds a 60.0% interest in JSE-listed Indluplace Properties Limited, which owns
a portfolio of residential properties, as well as an 8.6% interest in JSE-listed Dipula Income Fund Limited.
Fairvest is a South African REIT listed on the JSE and A2X with a focus on retail assets weighted toward
non-metropolitan and rural shopping centres, as well as convenience and community shopping centres
servicing the lower LSM market, in high-growth nodes, close to commuter networks. The Fairvest portfolio
comprises 43 properties located throughout South Africa, with a total gross lettable area of 250 896m²
and valued in aggregate at R3.44 billion.
4. Salient terms of the Transaction
4.1. Scheme Consideration
Arrowhead shall allot and issue 0.54054 new AHB Shares to the Scheme participants for each
Fairvest Share acquired in terms of the Scheme. Where a Fairvest shareholder’s entitlement to the
Scheme Consideration results in a fractional entitlement, such fraction of an AHB Share will be
rounded down to the nearest whole number, resulting in allocations of whole AHB Shares, and a
cash payment will be made to each Scheme participant for the fraction, as required, based on the
volume weighted average share price traded on the JSE on the day after the expected Scheme
last day to trade discounted by 10%.
4.2. Conditions to implementation of the Scheme
Shareholders are advised that the unconditional approval by the relevant South African competition
authority/ies, in terms of the Competition Act 89 of 1998, as amended, has been obtained in respect
of the Transaction.
The implementation of the Scheme is subject to the fulfilment or waiver, as the case may be, of the
following remaining suspensive conditions (Conditions Precedent) contained in the
Implementation Agreement:
4.2.1 (i) by no later than 17h00 on 31 October 2021, Arrowhead has reached agreement on
terms Fairvest has confirmed in writing are acceptable to its board, with each of Mr Mark
Kaplan and Mr Junaid Limalia in terms of which they will resign as Arrowhead’s chief
executive officer and chief financial officer respectively, on or before the last day of the
month during which the Scheme Operative Date occurs (with the terms of their departure
being in accordance with the principles set out in the Implementation Agreement, which
principles include that any termination payments will not exceed the amounts which they
would have been entitled to under the terms of their existing employment contracts, in the
case of a change of control resulting in their removal or replacement) and (ii) by no later
than 31 January 2022 there has been compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements in
relation to the arrangements contemplated in (i) and any necessary approvals of
Arrowhead shareholders in relation thereto have been obtained;
4.2.2 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, the approval of the Fairvest shareholder
resolutions required to approve and implement the Transaction by the requisite majority of
Fairvest shareholders is obtained at a meeting of Fairvest shareholders (Scheme
Meeting);
4.2.3 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, the approval of the Arrowhead shareholder
resolutions required to approve and implement the Transaction by the requisite majority of
Arrowhead shareholders is obtained at a general meeting of Arrowhead shareholders
(Arrowhead General Meeting);
4.2.4 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, to the extent required under section 115(3) of
the Companies Act, approval by the court of the implementation of the special resolution
passed by Fairvest shareholders to approve the Scheme (Scheme Resolution) being
obtained, and Fairvest not having treated the Scheme Resolution as a nullity (which it may
not do unless it is agreed by both Fairvest and Arrowhead);
4.2.5 as at 12h00 on the business day immediately following the last day on which a valid
demand may be made by a Fairvest shareholder in respect of the Scheme in terms of
section 164(7) of the Companies Act, Fairvest has not received valid demands from
Fairvest shareholder/s holding in aggregate more than 1% of all the issued Fairvest
Shares;
4.2.6 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, the providers of debt funding to Fairvest and
Arrowhead have, to the extent required, provided such consents or approvals, in writing,
as may be required under the relevant funding agreements in order for the Scheme to be
effected without triggering any event of default or other potential adverse consequence
under the relevant agreements;
4.2.7 as at 17h00 on the date on which the last of the conditions in paragraphs 4.2.1 and 4.2.3
to 4.2.6 has been fulfilled or, where appropriate, waived, none of the following events shall
have occurred in respect of Fairvest or Arrowhead —
4.2.7.1 any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or other step (including
an application to court, proposal of a resolution or convening of a meeting of
shareholders, members, directors or other officers) is taken by any person with a
view to –
4.2.7.1.1 a moratorium, compromise, composition, business rescue or similar
arrangement with any of its creditors;
4.2.7.1.2 its winding-up, dissolution or commencement of business rescue
proceedings, or for the seeking of relief under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, company or similar law, or any such
resolution; or
4.2.7.2 the value of its assets is less than its liabilities (taking into account of contingent
and prospective liabilities) or it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due;
4.2.8 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, all outstanding regulatory approvals legally
necessary for the implementation of the Scheme have been obtained; and
4.2.9 by not later than 17h00 on 31 January 2022, the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP) has
issued a compliance certificate in relation to the Scheme.
4.3. Clean-out Distributions
The intention of the Parties is for the Scheme, should it become operative, to have commercial
effect as from 1 October 2021 (Commercial Effective Date). To give commercial effect to this
intention –
4.3.1 the Scheme Consideration Shares will be issued on the basis that Fairvest shareholders
that participate in the Scheme will not, in respect of their Scheme Consideration Shares,
participate in the distributable income of Arrowhead for the period commencing on
1 October 2020 and ending on 30 September 2021 (the Arrowhead Pre-Effective Date
Period), but will be entitled to participate in Arrowhead's distributable income for the period
commencing on the Commercial Effective Date; and
4.3.2 the Fairvest Shares acquired under the Scheme will be acquired by Arrowhead on the
basis that Arrowhead will not participate in the distributable income of Fairvest for the
period commencing on 1 July 2021 and ending on 30 September 2021 (the Fairvest Pre-
Effective Date Period) but will be entitled to participate in Fairvest's distributable income
for the period commencing on the Commercial Effective Date.
Accordingly, in terms of the Implementation Agreement, Arrowhead and Fairvest have agreed that
each shall effect a cash distribution of its distributable income in respect of the Arrowhead Pre-
Effective Date Period or the Fairvest Pre-Effective Date Period (as applicable) (each a Clean-out
Distribution).
4.4. Change of name
Subject to the approval by Arrowhead shareholders and the Companies and Intellectual Property
Commission, Arrowhead will change its name from “Arrowhead Properties Limited” to “Fairvest
Limited” or the like.
4.5. Reconstitution of the Arrowhead board of directors and executive team
The Parties shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that, upon the Scheme Operative
Date, the Arrowhead board of directors (Arrowhead Board) is immediately reconstituted to
comprise members of each of the existing Arrowhead Board and the existing Fairvest board of
directors (Fairvest Board), as follows –
4.5.1 5 of the non-executive directors on the Fairvest Board shall be elected or co-opted as
directors of Arrowhead;
4.5.2 3 of the existing non-executive directors on the Arrowhead Board shall remain in office;
4.5.3 the executive members of the reconstituted Arrowhead Board will include –
4.5.3.1 Mr Darren Wilder (as chief executive officer);
4.5.3.2 Mr Jacques Kriel (as chief financial officer),
or such other composition as may be agreed between the Parties in writing at any time before the
Scheme Operative Date.
The Parties have undertaken to procure that all members of the Arrowhead Board and the Fairvest
Board who are not to serve as members of the reconstituted Arrowhead Board will resign from
office as directors on the applicable board on and with effect from the Scheme Operative Date.
Subject to the fulfilment of the Condition Precedent in paragraph 4.2.1, Arrowhead’s existing:
4.5.4 chief executive officer, Mark Kaplan, will resign as chief executive officer and from the
Arrowhead Board; and
4.5.5 financial director, Junaid Limalia, will resign as chief financial officer and, unless appointed
as non-executive director, from the Arrowhead Board,
on or before the last day of the month on which the Scheme becomes unconditional. Arrowhead’s
existing chief operating officer, Riaz Kader and chief investment officer, Alon Kirkel will be retained
in their current capacities in the merged entity.
5. Financial effects pertaining to the Scheme
The pro forma financial effects of the Scheme for Fairvest shareholders, as set out below, are provided
for illustrative purposes only to provide information about how the Scheme may affect the financial
performance and financial position of Fairvest, and because of their nature, may not fairly represent the
financial performance and financial position of Fairvest after the implementation of the Scheme.
The pro forma financial effects have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards, the Guide on Pro Forma Financial Information issued by the South African Institute of
Chartered Accountants and the JSE Listings Requirements.
The table below sets out the pro forma financial effects of the Scheme on a Fairvest shareholder based
on Fairvest’s results for the period ended 30 June 2021. The pro forma statement of financial position at
30 June 2021 gives effect to the Transaction as if it had occurred on 30 June 2021. The pro forma
statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the six months ended 30 June 2021 are
presented as if the Transaction had become operative at the beginning of the relevant period.
Before the Pro forma after Percentage change
Scheme1 the Scheme2 (%)
Basic earnings per share (cents) 3 11.66 16.29 39.7%
Diluted earnings per share (cents) 3 11.66 16.04 37.6%
Headline earnings per share (cents) 3 12.71 14.67 15.4%
Headline diluted earnings per share (cents) 3 12.71 14.43 13.5%
Distributable earnings per share (cents) 4 11.47 11.95 4.2%
NAV per share (R) 4 2.30 2.98 29.4%
TNAV per share (R) 4 2.30 2.96 28.9%
Notes:
1. The “Before the Scheme” column has been extracted without adjustment from the results of
Fairvest for the period ended 30 June 2021.
2. “Pro forma after the Scheme” reflects the position after the 100% acquisition of Fairvest and the
Manco internalisation.
a. Included in earnings per share is a gain on bargain purchase calculated at R58.1 million and
the Manco internalisation contract cancellation cost of R131.4 million.
b. It is anticipated that Arrowhead will not be in a position to recover anything more than the
current carrying value of the loans granted in terms of the historic Arrowhead employee
share schemes and arrangements in relation thereto, which are carried at the estimated
realisable value of the Arrowhead shares held as security for the loans, and therefore no
adjustments have been made in this regard.
3. Per combined Arrowhead A ordinary shares (AHA Shares) and AHB Shares.
4. Distribution and NAV per AHB Share.
6. Financial information and property specific information
As required by the JSE Listings Requirements, a separate announcement containing the requisite
financial information and property specific information in relation to the properties comprising Fairvest’s
property portfolio as at 30 June 2021 will be released on SENS simultaneously with this announcement.
7. Independent expert
The independent board of Fairvest (Fairvest Independent Board), comprising Louis Andrag, Khegu
Nkuna, Ndabezinhle Mkhize, Jacob Wiese and Trevor Cohen has appointed Mazars Corporate Finance
Proprietary Limited to act as the independent expert to review the terms of the Scheme and to provide a
fair and reasonable opinion as required in terms of the Companies Regulations, 2011. The opinion of the
independent expert will include the report required by section 114(3) of the Companies Act.
8. Confirmation to the TRP
Arrowhead has confirmed with the TRP that it has a sufficient number of AHB Shares in order to satisfy
the Scheme Consideration on implementation of the Scheme.
Arrowhead has also provided the TRP with an irrevocable confirmation that it has sufficient cash held in
escrow in order to satisfy the cash payments in respect of fractional entitlements as referred to in
paragraph 4.1.
9. Shareholding in Fairvest
No beneficial interests in Fairvest are held or controlled, directly or indirectly, by Arrowhead.
10. No concert party arrangements
Arrowhead is not acting in concert with any other person in relation to the Scheme.
11. Approvals required by Fairvest shareholders and distribution of scheme circular
Full details of the Scheme and ancillary matters will be set out in a joint circular which will be distributed
by Fairvest and Arrowhead to Fairvest shareholders within 20 business days after the date of this
announcement (or such longer period as allowed by the TRP) which will include, inter alia, the opinions
of the independent expert referred to in paragraph 7 above, a notice of Scheme Meeting of Fairvest
shareholders to approve the Scheme and the applicable salient dates and times.
12. Approvals required by Arrowhead shareholders and distribution of circulars
The Transaction will constitute a category 1 transaction for Arrowhead in terms of the JSE Listings
Requirements and accordingly Arrowhead shareholder approval will be required. Full details of the
Transaction will be set out in a category 1 circular (Category 1 Circular), which will be distributed to
Arrowhead shareholders in due course, which will include, inter alia, the pro forma financial effects of the
Transaction on Arrowhead (including on the AHA and AHB Shares) and a forecast statement of
comprehensive income of the combined entity post the Transaction, a notice of general meeting of
Arrowhead shareholders to approve the Transaction and other ancillary matters as well as the applicable
salient dates and times.
In addition, the Transaction will constitute a reverse takeover of Arrowhead by Fairvest in terms of the
JSE Listings Requirements, requiring revised listing particulars in respect of the enlarged Arrowhead
group post implementation of the Transaction. Accordingly, revised listing particulars will be distributed
to Arrowhead shareholders together with the Category 1 Circular.
13. Shareholder support
13.1 Fairvest shareholder support
The following Fairvest shareholders have provided undertakings of support, in respect of which
they have agreed to, inter alia, vote all their Fairvest Shares which they own or control in favour of
the Fairvest shareholder resolutions required to implement the Transaction.
Fairvest shareholder Number of % of total issued
Fairvest Shares Fairvest Shares (1)
held
Vukile Property Fund Limited (“Vukile”) 140 387 931 14.2%
MICC Properties (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Vukile 130 006 881 13.1%
Counterpoint Asset Management (Pty) Ltd 104 787 410 10.6%
Stanlib Asset Management (Pty) Ltd 79 439 019 8.0%
Visio Fund Management (Pty) Ltd 52 800 000 5.3%
Ninety One SA (Pty) Ltd 44 574 642 4.5%
Cohesive Capital (Pty) Ltd 34 837 653 3.5%
Catalyst Fund Managers SA (Pty) Ltd 31 023 859 3.1%
Catalyst Fund Managers Alternative Investments 14 000 000 1.4%
(Pty) Ltd
36ONE Asset Management (Pty) Ltd 6 515 986 0.7%
Knight Capital (Pty) Ltd 4 480 331 0.5%
Total 642 853 712 65.0%
1. Total Fairvest shares in issue of 989 246 076 calculated as 1 027 332 675 less 38 086 599 treasury
shares.
13.2 Arrowhead shareholder support
The following Arrowhead shareholders have provided undertakings of support, in respect of which
they have agreed to, inter alia, vote all of their Arrowhead shares which they own or control in
favour of the Arrowhead shareholder resolutions required to implement the Transaction.
Arrowhead shareholder Number of Number of Total % of total
AHA AHB Shares Arrowhead issued
Shares held shares held Arrowhead
held shares(1)
36ONE Asset Management (Pty) 9 902 379 139 817 420 149 719 799 14.8%
Ltd
Vukile Property Fund Limited - 114 438 564 114 438 564 11.3%
Catalyst Fund Managers SA (Pty) 5 546 053 90 050 346 95 596 399 9.4%
Ltd
Visio Fund Management (Pty) Ltd 84 000 000 84 000 000 8.3%
Counterpoint Asset Management 27 393 699 27 393 699 2.7%
(Pty) Ltd
Ninety One SA (Pty) Ltd 20 193 735 20 193 735 2.0%
Catalyst Fund Managers 14 357 152 14 357 152 1.4%
Alternative Investments (Pty) Ltd
Knight Capital (Pty) Ltd - 2 279 900 2 279 900 0.2%
Cohesive Capital (Pty) Ltd 1 600 000 1 600 000 0.2%
Total 15 448 432 494 130 816 509 579 248 50.2%
1. Total Arrowhead shares in issue of 1 014 140 687 calculated as 62 718 658 AHA Shares plus
951 422 029 AHB Shares.
14. Responsibility statements
The Fairvest Independent Board accepts responsibility for the information contained in this
announcement insofar as it relates to Fairvest and the Scheme. To the best of the Fairvest Independent
Board’s knowledge and belief, the information contained in this announcement is true and this
announcement does not omit anything likely to affect the importance of the information.
The Arrowhead Board accepts responsibility for the information contained in this announcement insofar
as it relates to Arrowhead. To the best of the Arrowhead Board’s knowledge and belief, the information
contained in this announcement is true and the announcement does not omit anything likely to affect the
importance of the information.
15. Withdrawal of cautionary announcements
Post the release of this announcement, Fairvest and Arrowhead shareholders are advised that caution is
no longer required to be exercised in their dealings in Fairvest and Arrowhead shares.
27 September 2021
Corporate advisor and transaction sponsor to Fairvest
Java Capital
Legal advisor to Fairvest
Werksmans
Independent expert to Fairvest
Mazars Corporate Finance
Sponsor to Fairvest
PSG Capital
Strategic transaction advisor to Arrowhead
Ferryman Capital Partners
Joint corporate advisor and transaction sponsor to Arrowhead
Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, a division of Nedbank Limited
Legal advisor to Arrowhead
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Incorporated
Reporting Accountants
BDO South Africa Incorporated
Date: 27-09-2021 02:00:00
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.