Trading Statement
14 November 2003 - 6:00PM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:0645S
SP Holdings PLC
14 November 2003
14 November 2003
SP HOLDINGS PLC
TRADING STATEMENT
SP Holdings PLC ("the Company"), the marketing and financial services company,
expects to announce its results for the year ending 31 October 2003 in January
2004.
The Company makes the following comments regarding its performance during the
second half for the period from May 2003 to October 2003.
Renaming
The Company secured shareholder approval to change its name from 'World Sports
Solutions plc' to 'SP Holdings PLC' on 1 August 2003. The change in name
reflected the Company's strategy to broaden its activities beyond sports to
include the entertainment and leisure sectors, as well as financial services.
Financial Performance
The business strategy introduced by the new management team in April 2003 has
led to a substantial improvement in the Company's performance in the second half
of the year. Its operating businesses are all trading in line with the Board's
expectations. The Company anticipates that it will move into profit during the
first half of the year ended 31 October 2004, a significant turn-around from the
reported loss before tax of #9.763 million for the year ending 31 October 2002.
Business Development - Marketing Services
The Company's marketing businesses provide specialist marketing services to the
sports, entertainment and leisure sectors.
The Company's subsidiary, SP Active Ltd, has grown its marketing services
operation through the acquisition of Chris Reed Marketing, a specialist media
and brand barter organisation; and Retail Source, a retail brand consultancy.
Additionally, it has announced today a new broadcast joint venture with Diverse,
a leading independent television company, to develop broadcast content and
intellectual properties. These acquisitions have brought senior marketing
talents and new revenue streams into the business, have been successfully
integrated into the business, and are trading satisfactorily to the expectations
of the Board of the Company.
The Company has also acquired Observebrands - a retail fashion specialist. This
business has been incorporated into a new subsidiary, SP Brands. It will
further develop the Company's growing retail consultancy business and is also
trading to the Board's expectations.
The marketing services division has enjoyed a strong business performance during
the second half, attracting clients that include JVC, Thomson TUI, Channel 4,
Heinz, Procter & Gamble, Associated Press, BBC, BSkyB, Sopexa, and News
International.
Business Development - Financial Services
The Company's financial services business provides a range of financial services
to private individuals and organisations. The Company's private client business
has been strengthened through the acquisition of SP Financial Services and
Robert Ward & Associates. The financial services division is trading to the
expectations of the Board.
Mottram Partners, the Company's legal, accounting and compliance business has
completed the acquisition of the goodwill and assets of OAS (UK) and is trading
satisfactorily.
The Company has also acquired Provisor Global Search Ltd, a specialist
recruitment consultancy.
Directors
The Company has strengthened the Board though the appointment of Steve Hayward
as Chief Operating Officer. He was formerly Director of Trade Marketing for
Coca-Cola International, and Senior Vice President International Marketing at
CIC.
The Company also has announced today the appointment of Sally Hart as
Non-Executive Director. She brings excellent experience of working in
professional sports, particularly Formula 1.
Outlook
The business strategy introduced in April 2003 has enabled the Company to trade
satisfactorily despite the well-publicised trading conditions that have
adversely affected so many organisations in the marketing and financial services
sectors. The Company believes it is well-placed to take advantage of any
economic upturn. In the meantime, the Company believes that there are still
many high quality acquisition opportunities, through which it can continue to
strengthen its competitive advantage and increase earnings.
Enquiries:
SP Holdings PLC Telephone: 020 7292 8950
Simon Eagle, Chief Executive
Hudson Sandler Telephone: 020 7796 4133
Nick Lyon / Wendy Baker
Editors Notes
SP HOLDINGS PLC operates two divisions: SP Active Limited ('SPA'), its marketing
subsidiary, and SP Financial Services and Mottram Partners, its subsidiaries in
the area of financial services.
* SPA announced the acquisition of Chris Reed Marketing Ltd, the brand/media
barter specialist, on 1 August 2003.
* On 29 September 2003 SP Holdings announced the acquisition of the goodwill
and tangible assets of the independent financial advisor Robert Ward.
* SP Holdings announced the acquisition of 'Observebrands', a specialist
retail and fashion brand consultancy, via its new subsidiary, SP Brands
Limited, on 20 October 2003.
* SP Holdings announced the acquisition of the entire issued capital of
Provisor Global Search Limited, a specialist human resources consultancy, on
27 October 2003.
* SP Holdings announced the acquisition of the entire issued capital of
Retail Source Limited ("Retail Source"), a specialist retail marketing
consultancy, on 3 November 2003.
* SP Holdings announced the appointment of Steve Hayward as Chief
Operating Officer on 3 November 2003.
* SP Holdings announced the establishment of a joint venture between its
subsidiary, SP Active Ltd and Diverse Production, a leading independent
television company, to own and develop new broadcast intellectual properties
on 14 November 2003.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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