Thames Valley: Businesses AIM higher with James Cowper

Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper has helped two companies achieve a listing on the London AIM stock market.

James Cowper acted as reporting accountants on the Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of EW Group and Bioventix plc on their admissions to AIM.

Incorporated in Guernsey, EW Group is a wealth management and financial planning services provider, delivering a range of services including retirement planning, stockbroking and advisory investment management to businesses, charities and trustees, individuals and families.  Additionally, European Wealth manages money on a discretionary basis. The transaction was a reverse acquisition of European Wealth Management Group plc by EW Group - an AIM-listed company.

John Morton, executive chairman of European Wealth Management Group, European Investment Management and European Financial Planning, said: “The James Cowper Corporate Finance team provided invaluable advice throughout the IPO process.  The team's attention to detail and drive for a successful result were pivotal in ensuring that all hurdles were overcome and that the process was completed in a timely manner. I would not hesitate to recommend them to others.”

Bioventix, located in Farnham, is a biotechnology company specialising in the creation and engineering of sheep monoclonal antibodies.  The James Cowper team's time-management and organisational skills were brought to the fore, with the entire process requiring completion within four weeks.

Peter Harrison, director at Bioventix, said: “From the outset, we knew we were in capable hands.  Nick, Dilys and Tom managed the transaction diligently and the advice and experience that we received was excellent.  The process had to be completed within four weeks to guarantee listing and their pragmatic approach throughout ensured that this was achieved.”

Nick Rogers, head of corporate finance at James Cowper, said: “We are delighted to have advised both EW Group and Bioventix and wish them every success on AIM.  Confidence in the economy is continuing to grow and economic forecasts are predicting growth at pre-2008 levels.  Private equity houses are looking to increase their portfolios, investing in well-organised and committed management teams, and in sectors with significant development opportunities.  The Stock Market is once again becoming a central hub of investment.

“Alongside this, AIM is also experiencing a revival, and these two transactions add to the growing number of listings that are occurring on a monthly basis.”