Interserve fixes date for rescue plan showdown

Aaron Morby 6 years ago
Share

The stand-off between Interserve’s lenders and shareholders is set to come to a head at a specially convened general meeting in two weeks time.

Shareholders will be asked to vote on the board’s latest updated rescue plan hammered out with major lenders. This will see shareholders now left with a 5% stake rather than 2.5% stake as first proposed last month.

The plan to vote on the revised rescue deal on 15 March will trump another general meeting set just yesterday for the 26 March at the request of rebel US hedge fund and shareholder Coltrane Asset Management.

It had planned to vote against the original rescue deal and has demanded the entire board step down, except for chief executive Debbie White.

Coltrane, which owns a 27% stake in Interserve, had tabled alternative outline proposals, which would see 65% of Interserve’s equity handed to lenders in exchange for £436m of debt. A proposed £75m rights issue would take up 25% stake, leaving existing shareholders owning 10%.

In a new twist following this, Interserve and its lenders have now improved the terms of the original resecure plan, upping existing shareholders’ stake from 2.5% to 5% in the hope it will win backing.

Today the board also rejected Coltrane’s proposals as not being fully worked up.

Commenting on the sweetened rescue plan, Debbie White, CEO of Interserve, said: “The agreement of deleveraging plan terms with our lenders, bonding providers and pension trustee represents a significant milestone for Interserve.

“Implementation of the deleveraging plan is in the best interest of all our stakeholders. The plan provides new liquidity and creates a strong balance sheet, which, alongside our Fit-for-Growth programme, will provide us with a competitive financial structure to continue to improve the business and deliver on our long term strategy.”

Under the terms of this deal key lenders, including RBS, HSBC and BNP Paribas, would release £110m to fund working cash and take £435m new equity in the group through a 19 new shares for one existing share deal.

In the event of failure to pass a plan lenders are reported to have placed Ernst & Young on alert to step in to manage the business if it was forced into administration.

Latest news

Extra tunnels included in £6bn East West Rail scheme

Government unveils plans for two new tunnels in Cambridgeshire
3 hours ago

Infrastructure to get £80bn boost from public sector pensions

New "megafunds" will invest in UK construction projects
4 hours ago

Bidders wanted for £800m building safety framework

Fusion21 launches renewal of deal across 12 lots
21 hours ago

Winchmore wins £6.5m brickwork package on Stratford flats

Latest award from Graham on £69m development
4 hours ago

Motts/Jacobs JV to design £2.5bn West Yorkshire Mass Transit

First construction could begin in 2028
20 hours ago

Muse signs landmark deal to redevelop Solihull shopping centre

Mell Square scheme includes 1,600 homes at 6.4ha town centre site
1 day ago

Reds10 raids house builders for two director hires

David Newey and James Bateman join as regional ops directors
2 days ago

Builder killed as telehandler overturns

House builder goes into liquidation before court hearing and £160,000 fine
2 days ago

Balfour Beatty regional MD steps down

Lindsay McGibbon is understood to be exiting for a job in the United States
1 day ago

Firms put on alert for £1.5bn decarbonisation framework

Fusion21 aims to invite bids in January for housing and public buildings retrofit framework
2 days ago

Morgan Sindall aboard for £22m London station roof renewal

Passengers will continue to use Liverpool Street Station while roof works take place above
1 day ago

Utilities contractor turns to Africa for skilled workers

IES Utilities Group recruits its 100th overhead linesman from South Africa and Zimbabwe
1 day ago

McLaren boosts building safety and refurb team

Paul Woodhams promoted to newly created MD role at expanding division
2 days ago

Firms fight to renew places on £450m JV North deal

17 firms face fight to retain places on north west housing consortium list
2 days ago

Subbies get £7m lifeline on ISG Cardiff schools site

Council strikes deal with administrators and appoints emergency interim contractor
3 days ago

United Utilities names water and waste water design consultants

AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Stantec, Binnies, Mott MacDonald, RPS, and WSP make line-up
2 days ago

Crown Estate in £1.5bn Cambridge Business Park revamp plan

A phased programme of construction will start in 2026
3 days ago

McLaughlin & Harvey returns to profit

Contractor back in the black and looking forward to another positive year
2 days ago

Graham wins £69m London Stratford flats job

Stratford Mill project will deliver nearly 250 flats
3 days ago

Mace to complete construction of ISG neuroscience centre

Contractor to work with UCL to finish stalled job
3 days ago

BAM finally breaks ground at £60m-plus Yeovil College

Agreed contract price 50% above original estimate on delayed Somerset college job
2 days ago

Forterra trying to pass on NI cost increases

Brick and block giant writing to customers about 2025 price rises
3 days ago

Refurb contractor Troy Central goes into administration

Suffolk based hotel and leisure specialist had a £38m turnover
3 days ago

Former ISG director joins Wates as regional construction MD

Wayne Flannery joins Wates construction board after nearly 20 years at ISG
3 days ago

McLaren strengthens team for £1.1bn York Central scheme

CEG’s Head of Development (North) Karen Stafeckis joins McLaren Property
3 days ago

ISG collapse brings down glazing contractor

All staff made redundant at Vitrine Systems Limited
6 days ago

Wates gets go-ahead for 235 homes at Cardiff school site

City's first well being village approved
3 days ago

Cost of HS2 bat shed hits £100m

Construction costs revealed for Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure
6 days ago

JRL close to deal on sale of stake to Far Eastern buyer

Equity sale plan to strengthen balance sheet and improve liquidity
6 days ago

Andrew Scott wins £22m Welsh hospital roof rebuild

Rotten roof at Bridgend to be replaced after critical incident
3 days ago

Contractor services