THAMES WATER
UTILITIES FINANCE PLC ANNOUNCES A CONSENT
SOLICITATION
25 October 2024
Overview
Thames Water Utilities Finance plc
(the "Issuer") has today
announced a consent solicitation in respect of the following series
and sub-class, as applicable, of bonds (the "Bonds") issued by the Issuer, each as
guaranteed by Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited and Thames
Water Utilities Limited:
(i)
CAD250,000,000 2.875 per cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds
due 12 December 2024 (CAG8787NAB06);
(ii)
£500,000,000[1] 4 per cent.
Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 19 June 2025
(XS1078777114);
(iii)
€650,000,000 4 per cent. Class A Green Unwrapped Bonds due 18 April
2027 (XS2576550326);
(iv)
£45,000,000 0.721 per cent. Index Linked Class A Unwrapped Bonds
due 21 December 2027 (XS1335311574);
(v)
US$40,000,000 1.604 per cent. Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 23
December 2027 (XS2278588343);
(vi)
€575,000,000 0.875 per cent. Class A Green Unwrapped Bonds due 31
January 2028 (XS2438026440);
(vii)
£300,000,000 3.5 per cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due
25 February 2028 (XS1371533867);
(viii) £330,000,000
6.75 per cent. Guaranteed Bonds due 16 November 2028
(XS0092157600);
(ix)
US$57,000,000 2.06 per cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due
12 November 2030 (XS2254339331);
(x)
€1,000,000,000 4.375 per cent. Class A Green Unwrapped Bonds due 18
January 2031 (XS2576550672);
(xi)
£275,000,000 7.125 per cent. Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 30 April
2031 (XS2755443020);
(xii)
£250,000,000 2.625 per cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due
24 January 2032 (XS1555168365);
(xiii) €575,000,000
1.250 per cent. Class A Green Unwrapped Bonds due 31 January 2032
(XS2438026366);
(xiv) £200,000,000 6.5
per cent. Guaranteed Bonds due 9 February 2032
(XS0107289323);
(xv) £300,000,000
4.375 per cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 3 July 2034
(XS0800185174);
(xvi) £40,000,000 0.75
per cent. Index Linked Class A Bonds due 18 December 2034
(XS1334772925);
(xvii) £600,000,000 5.125 per
cent. Guaranteed Notes due 28 September 2037 (XS0268693743);
(xviii) JPY 20,000,000,000
3.28 per cent. Fixed Rate Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 20 August
2038 (XS0382041225);
(xix) £350,000,000
Class A 2.375 per cent. Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 22 April
2040 (XS2161831776);
(xx) £300,000,000
8.250 per cent. Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 25 April 2040
(XS2707822644);
(xxi) £50,000,000 3.853
per cent. Sub-Class A1 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 15 December
2040 (XS0404852526);
(xxii) £500,000,000 5.50 per
cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 11 February 2041
(XS0590171103);
(xxiii) £50,000,000 1.98 per
cent. Sub-Class A5 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2042
(XS0318577912);
(xxiv) £55,000,000 2.091 per cent.
Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Index-Linked Bonds due 6 October 2042
(XS0455926260);
(xxv) £575,000,000 7.750 per
cent. Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 30 April 2044 (XS2755443376);
(xxvi)
£40,000,000[2] 1.974 per cent.
Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Index-Linked Bonds due 12 October 2045
(XS0548262061);
(xxvii) £300,000,000 4.625 per
cent. Class A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 4 June 2046
(XS0800186222);
(xxviii) £100,000,000 1.846 per cent.
Sub-Class A4 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2047
(XS0318577755);
(xxix) £200,000,000 1.819 per cent.
Sub-Class A3 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2049
(XS0318577672);
(xxx) £40,000,000 Class A
2.442 per cent. Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 12 May 2050
(XS2168290000);
(xxxi) £300,000,000 1.6802 per
cent. Guaranteed RPI-Linked Notes due 11 July 2053
(XS0265832922);
(xxxii) £300,000,000 1.681 per
cent. Guaranteed RPI-Linked Notes due 11 July 2055
(XS0267219896);
(xxxiii) £200,000,000 1.771 per cent.
Sub-Class A2 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2057
(XS0318577599);
(xxxiv) £400,000,000 7.738 per cent.
Guaranteed Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 9 April 2058 (XS1537083716);
and
(xxxv) £350,000,000 1.76 per cent.
Sub-Class A1 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2062
(XS0318577326).
Capitalised terms used in this
announcement and not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Solicitation Memorandum dated 25 October
2024 (the "Solicitation
Memorandum").
Meetings of Bondholders
The following meetings of Bondholders which
have been convened in respect of each series and sub-class, as
applicable, of Bonds as listed in the table below in each case to
consider, and if thought fit, pass the applicable Extraordinary
Resolutions to approve the relevant Proposals and their
implementation, shall take place at the offices of Linklaters LLP,
One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ and at the times indicated in the
table below:
ISIN
|
Description of Bond
|
Applicable Time[3]
(London time)
|
CAG8787NAB06
|
CAD250,000,000 2.875 per cent. Class
A Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 12 December 2024
|
9:30 a.m.
|
XS1078777114
|
£500,000,000 4 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 19 June 2025
|
9:35 a.m.
|
XS2576550326
|
€650,000,000 4.000 per cent. Class A
Green Unwrapped Bonds due 18 April 2027
|
9:40 a.m.
|
XS1335311574
|
£45,000,000 0.721 per cent. Index
Linked Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 21 December 2027
|
9:45 a.m.
|
XS2278588343
|
US$40,000,000 1.604 per cent. Class
A Unwrapped Bonds due 23 December 2027
|
9:50 a.m.
|
XS2438026440
|
€575,000,000 0.875 per cent. Class A
Green Unwrapped Bonds due 31 January 2028
|
9:55 a.m.
|
XS1371533867
|
£300,000,000 3.5 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 25 February 2028
|
10:00 a.m.
|
XS0092157600
|
£330,000,000 6.75 per cent.
Guaranteed Bonds due 16 November 2028
|
10:05 a.m.
|
XS2254339331
|
US$57,000,000 2.06 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 12 November 2030
|
10:10 a.m.
|
XS2576550672
|
€1,000,000,000 4.375 per cent. Class
A Green Unwrapped Bonds due 18 January 2031
|
10:15 a.m.
|
XS2755443020
|
£275,000,000 7.125 per cent. Class A
Unwrapped Bonds due 30 April 2031
|
10:20 a.m.
|
XS1555168365
|
£250,000,000 2.625 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 24 January 2032
|
10:25 a.m.
|
XS2438026366
|
€575,000,000 1.250 per cent. Class A
Green Unwrapped Bonds due 31 January 2032
|
10:30 a.m.
|
XS0107289323
|
£200,000,000 6.5 per cent.
Guaranteed Bonds due 9 February 2032
|
10:35 a.m.
|
XS0800185174
|
£300,000,000 4.375 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 3 July 2034
|
10:40 a.m.
|
XS1334772925
|
£40,000,000 0.75 per cent. Index
Linked Class A Bonds due 18 December 2034
|
10:45 a.m.
|
XS0268693743
|
£600,000,000 5.125 per cent.
Guaranteed Notes due 28 September 2037
|
10:50 a.m.
|
XS0382041225
|
JPY 20,000,000,000 3.28 per cent.
Fixed Rate Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 20 August 2038
|
10:55 a.m.
|
XS2161831776
|
£350,000,000 Class A 2.375 per cent.
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 22 April 2040
|
11:00 a.m.
|
XS2707822644
|
£300,000,000 8.250 per cent. Class A
Unwrapped Bonds due 25 April 2040
|
11:05 a.m.
|
XS0404852526
|
£50,000,000 3.853 per cent.
Sub-Class A1 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 15 December
2040
|
11:10 a.m.
|
XS0590171103
|
£500,000,000 5.50 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 11 February 2041
|
11:15 a.m.
|
XS0318577912
|
£50,000,000 1.98 per cent. Sub-Class
A5 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August 2042
|
11:20 a.m.
|
XS0455926260
|
£55,000,000 2.091 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Index-Linked Bonds due 6 October
2042
|
11:25 a.m.
|
XS2755443376
|
£575,000,000 7.750 per cent. Class A
Unwrapped Bonds due 30 April 2044
|
11:30 a.m.
|
XS0548262061
|
£40,000,000 1.974 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Index-Linked Bonds due 12 October
2045
|
11:35 a.m.
|
XS0800186222
|
£300,000,000 4.625 per cent. Class A
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 4 June 2046
|
11:40 a.m.
|
XS0318577755
|
£100,000,000 1.846 per cent.
Sub-Class A4 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August
2047
|
11:45 a.m.
|
XS0318577672
|
£200,000,000 1.819 per cent.
Sub-Class A3 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August
2049
|
11:50 a.m.
|
XS2168290000
|
£40,000,000 Class A 2.442 per cent.
Guaranteed Unwrapped Bonds due 12 May 2050
|
11:55 a.m.
|
XS0265832922
|
£300,000,000 1.6802 per cent.
Guaranteed RPI-Linked Notes due 11 July 2053
|
12:00 p.m.
|
XS0267219896
|
£300,000,000 1.681 per cent.
Guaranteed RPI-Linked Notes due 11 July 2055
|
12:05 p.m.
|
XS0318577599
|
£200,000,000 1.771 per cent.
Sub-Class A2 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August
2057
|
12:10 p.m.
|
XS1537083716
|
£400,000,000 7.738 per cent.
Guaranteed Class A Unwrapped Bonds due 9 April 2058
|
12:15 p.m.
|
XS0318577326
|
£350,000,000 1.76 per cent.
Sub-Class A1 Index-Linked Unwrapped Bonds due 28 August
2062
|
12:20 p.m.
|
Bondholders who do not wish to
attend the relevant Meeting but who wish to vote must take action
prior to 4.00 p.m. (London time) on 13 November 2024 (the
"Expiration Time"), subject
to amendment termination or withdrawal by the Issuer and any
earlier deadlines set by the Clearing Systems or any intermediary
through which such Bondholders hold their Bonds.
Background and The
Proposals
(1) Interim RP Launch Waiver
(i) As at 30
June 2024, the TWU Financing Group had total liquidity of £1,809
million, comprising available cash of £1,513 million and undrawn
committed bank facilities of £296 million.
(ii)
TWUL announced that Trigger Events had occurred on 9 July 2024 and,
as a result of the continuation of these Trigger Events, the TWU
Financing Group is not permitted to incur Financial Indebtedness
under limb (j) of the definition of Permitted Financial
Indebtedness, other than Qualifying Indebtedness (which, in
summary, is limited to drawdowns, extensions and rollovers under
existing Authorised Credit Facilities). As a result, the TWU
Financing Group is currently significantly constrained in its
ability to raise Financial Indebtedness.
(iii) As
more fully set out in the relevant STID Proposal, TWUL has been
engaging with its creditors to seek to extend its liquidity runway.
As part of these discussions, TWUL has identified a potential
solution to extend its liquidity runway through raising Financial
Indebtedness under super senior financing and extending maturity
and amortisation dates under the Senior Debt (the "Interim Recapitalisation
Transaction").
(iv) To
facilitate implementation of the Interim Recapitalisation
Transaction the TWU Financing Group is required to take certain
actions (the "Proposed
Steps"). The Proposed Steps are:
(a) Thames Water Utilities Holdings
Limited ("TWH") proposing
(and, if approved in accordance with its terms by the required
majorities of creditors, implementing) a restructuring plan under
Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006 in order to implement the
required amendments, waivers and consents under the Finance
Documents for the Interim Recapitalisation Transaction (the
"Interim Restructuring Plan");
(b) TWH entering into a deed of
contribution in favour of TWUL and TWUF to facilitate the Interim
Restructuring Plan (the "Deed of
Contribution"), pursuant to which TWH will undertake to pay
TWUL and TWUF (by way of contribution) an amount equal to its share
of any payment made by TWUL or TWUF in respect of any liability
under the Senior Debt and Subordinated Debt. TWH, while already a
guarantor of the relevant liabilities will in substance, become a
primary obligor, as a result of the Deed of Contribution;
and
(c) the TWU Financing Group progressing a
transaction support agreement entered into between, among others,
TWUL and certain of its Secured Creditors on the date of the STID
Proposals (the "Transaction
Support Agreement", which reference includes the Transaction
Support Agreement as amended from time to time) to evidence the
support of such Secured Creditors for the Interim Recapitalisation
Transaction on the terms specified therein.
(v)
TWUL considers that none of the Proposed Steps are restricted under
the Finance Documents or would result in a Default or Event of
Default until a claim form is filed with the court in respect of
the Interim Restructuring Plan. Nevertheless, TWUL recognises that
the Proposed Steps need to occur to initiate the Interim
Recapitalisation Plan and is therefore requesting a waiver of any
Defaults or Events of Default which would occur directly as a
consequence of the Proposed Steps (subject to the Waiver Conditions
as defined and described below) being initiated.
(vi) TWUL
believes that this waiver would be beneficial to Secured Creditors
to enable the initiation of the Interim Restructuring Plan, which
itself is intended to improve the financial resilience of the TWU
Financing Group.
(vii) For the
avoidance of doubt, approval of the consents and waivers proposed
in the STID Proposals shall in no way constitute an approval of the
terms and conditions of the Interim Recapitalisation Transaction or
the Interim Restructuring Plan which will be sought separately in
accordance with their terms.
(2) Reserve Account Restricted
Cash Release Waiver
(i) As more
fully set out in the relevant STID Proposal, as at the date hereof,
the TWU Financing Group holds
approximately £341.79 million of cash in
aggregate in the O&M Reserve Account, the Class A Debt Service
Reserve Account and the Class B Debt Service Reserve Account (the
"Restricted Reserve
Accounts").
(i)
Debt Service Reserve
Account: Pursuant to paragraph 4 (DSR Liquidity Facility) of Part 2
(Financial Covenants) of
Schedule 4 (Covenants) to
the CTA, TWUF must maintain one or more DSR Liquidity Facilities
available for drawing which, when aggregated with all amounts
(including the value of any Authorised Investments) standing to the
credit of the Debt Service Reserve Accounts of TWUF are not less
than the cash amount of interest (including Lease Reserve Amounts
and Adjusted Lease Reserve Amounts) payable on the Class A Debt,
the Unsecured TWUF Bond Debt and the Class B Debt for the next
succeeding 12 month period (after taking into account the impact on
interest rates of such Class A Debt, the Unsecured TWUF Bond Debt
and Class B Debt of any Hedging Agreement then in
place).
Further, pursuant to paragraph 12 (Debt Service Reserve Account) of
Schedule 11 (Cash
Management) to the CTA, TWUF may only withdraw amounts from
the Debt Service Reserve Accounts in limited circumstances - most
relevantly, to cover a shortfall in respect of certain specified
items in the Payment Priorities on a Payment Date.
(ii)
O&M Reserve Account:
Pursuant to paragraph 5 (O&M
Reserve/O&M Reserve Facility) of Part 2 (Financial Covenants) of Schedule 4
(Covenants) to the CTA,
TWUF must at all times maintain an O&M Reserve and/or an
O&M Reserve Facility available for drawing which, when
aggregated with amounts (including the value of any Authorised
Investments funded from O&M Reserve Accounts) standing to the
credit of any O&M Reserve Account, amount to not less than 10
per cent. of Projected Operating Expenditure and Capital
Maintenance Expenditure required for the forthcoming Test Period as
determined on 31 March in each year in its budget for that Test
Period.
Pursuant to paragraphs 8 (TWUL's O&M Reserve Account) and 11
(Issuer's O&M Reserve
Account) of Schedule 11 (Cash Management) to the CTA, there is
a restriction on drawing monies from the O&M Reserve Account
except in limited circumstances - most relevantly, to pay operating
and Capital Expenditure where it cannot be met from existing
balances in the Operating Accounts.
(ii) In
order to provide additional available liquidity for the TWU
Financing Group, TWUL is seeking to:
(i)
have the right to withdraw cash from the Restricted Reserve
Accounts at any time and to use that cash towards the general
corporate purposes or general working capital of the TWU Financing
Group without any other restrictions under the Finance Documents on
use or withdrawal except the Reserve Account Continuing Cash
Release Restrictions (as defined and explained below);
and
(ii)
waive any Default or Event of Default which would occur as a result
of a breach of the maintenance requirements in paragraphs 4 and 5
of Part 2 (Financial
Covenants) of Schedule 4 (Covenants) to the CTA which is
directly caused by such a withdrawal from and use of cash from the
Restricted Reserve Accounts,
(together, the "Reserve Account Restricted Cash
Release"). The "Reserve
Account Continuing Cash Release Restrictions" are: (i) TWUL
and TWUF may not withdraw or use cash from the Restricted Reserve
Accounts to fund any Restricted Payments (without limiting any
restriction under the Finance Documents or Transaction Support
Agreement which prohibits or restricts Restricted Payments); and
(ii) TWUL and TWUF may not withdraw or use cash from the Restricted
Reserve Accounts which has been funded by a Standby Drawing to the
extent restricted by the terms of the relevant Liquidity
Facility.
(iii) The
effect of the Reserve Account Restricted Cash Release on the cash
management of the TWU Financing Group would operate as
follows:
(i) on each
Payment Date, the Obligors would continue to apply monies credited
to the Debt Service Payment Account in accordance with the Payment
Priorities and would make all transfers to the Debt Service Payment
Account from the Operating Accounts or the Restricted Reserve
Accounts at the times and in the amounts required by the cash
management provisions in Schedule 11 (Cash Management) to the
CTA;
(ii) to the
extent that an Obligor is required to make a transfer to a
Restricted Reserve Account pursuant to the Payment Priorities (for
example, but without limitation, where required by paragraph 9.3(x)
of Schedule 11 (Cash
Management) to the CTA to top up to the Class A Required
Balance) such transfers will be made to the relevant Restricted
Reserve Account; and
(iii)
once the funds are so transferred as contemplated by paragraph
(iii)(ii) above, they can be withdrawn on any date from the
relevant Restricted Reserve Account to be applied towards the
general corporate purposes or general working capital of the TWU
Financing Group (subject to the Reserve Account Continuing Cash
Release Restrictions).
(iv)
TWUL is requesting a waiver of the
obligations of the TWU Financing Group to satisfy the maintenance
requirements as set out in paragraphs 4 (DSR Liquidity Facility) and 5
(O&M Reserve/O&M Reserve
Facility) of Part 2 (Financial Covenants) of Schedule 4
(Covenants) to the CTA, to
comply with the withdrawal restrictions in paragraphs 8
(TWUL's O&M Reserve
Account), 11 (Issuer's
O&M Reserve Account) and 12 (Debt Service Reserve Accounts) of
Schedule 11 (Cash
Management) to the CTA and the Defaults or Events of Default
which would occur under paragraph 2 (Breach of other obligations) of Part 2
(Events of Default (TWUL, TWUF
and the Issuer)) of Schedule 6 (Events of Default) to the CTA, in each
case, where the applicable non-compliance arises directly as a
consequence of the Reserve Account Restricted Cash
Release.
(v)
TWUL believes that these waivers would be beneficial to Secured
Creditors, as it would improve the financial resilience of the TWU
Financing Group and frees up additional liquidity for the
implementation of the Proposed Steps.
(3)
Compensation Account Restricted Cash Release
Waiver
(i)
As more fully set out in the relevant STID Proposal, as at the date
hereof, the TWU Financing Group may be required to transfer
approximately £65 million of cash to the Compensation Account (the
"Compensation Account") in
the coming months.
(ii)
Pursuant to paragraph 9(b) of Schedule 7 (Hedging Policy and Overriding Provisions
Relating to Hedging Agreements) to the CTA (replicated in
each Hedging Agreement), within three months of receipt of a notice
of termination from a Hedge Counterparty (of the type described in
paragraph 9(b) of Schedule 7 (Hedging Policy and Overriding Provisions
Relating to Hedging Agreements) to the CTA), TWUL is
required to use all reasonable endeavours to either:
(i) enter
into a new, replacement swap transaction; or
(ii) deposit
an amount in the Compensation Account which TWUL estimates, in its
reasonable opinion, is equal to the net amount payable to the Hedge
Counterparty on termination.
(iii) TWUL
received such a termination notice from one of its Hedge
Counterparties dated 27 August 2024 and accordingly is required to
use all reasonable endeavours to either enter into a new,
replacement swap transaction, or deposit amounts into the
Compensation Account.
(iv) Pursuant to
paragraph 13 of Schedule 11 (Cash
Management) to the CTA, TWUL may only withdraw amounts from
the Compensation Account to meet termination sums due under the
relevant Hedging Agreement. The Compensation Account is subject to
Security in favour of all Secured Creditors, not just the relevant
Hedge Counterparty.
(v) In
order to provide additional available liquidity for the TWU
Financing Group, TWUL is seeking to:
(i) have the
right to withdraw cash from the Compensation Account at any time
and to use that cash towards the general corporate purposes or
general working capital of the TWU Financing Group without any
other restrictions under the Finance Documents on use or withdrawal
except the Compensation Account Continuing Cash Release
Restrictions (as defined and explained below); and
(ii)
to waive any Default or Event of Default which is directly caused
by such withdrawal from and use of cash from the Compensation
Account,
(together, the "Compensation Account Restricted Cash
Release"). The "Compensation Account Continuing Cash Release
Restrictions" are that TWUL and TWUF may not withdraw or use
cash from the Compensation Account to fund any Restricted Payments
(without limiting any restriction under the Finance Documents or
Transaction Support Agreement which prohibits or restricts
Restricted Payments).
(vi) As
such, TWUL is requesting a waiver of:
(i) any
requirement to only withdraw amounts standing to the credit of the
Compensation Account for the purposes specified in paragraph 13
(Compensation Account) of
Schedule 11 (Cash
Management) to the CTA (but without prejudice to any
requirement to make payment to the Compensation Account in
accordance with the Payment Priorities) so as to permit the
Compensation Account Restricted Cash Release (subject to the
Compensation Account Continuing Cash Release Restrictions);
and
(ii)
any Default or Event of Default which occurs under paragraph 2
(Breach of other
obligations) of Part 2 (Events of Default (TWUL, TWUF and the
Issuer)) of Schedule 6 (Events of Default) to the CTA in
respect of the covenant in paragraph 13 (Compensation Account) of Schedule 11
(Cash Management) to the
CTA directly as a consequence of the Compensation Account
Restricted Cash Release.
(vii) In terms of
the effects of the Compensation Account Restricted Cash Release on
the cash management of the TWU Financing Group, TWUL or TWUF would
continue to make any payments, deposits or transfers to the
Compensation Account to the extent required by the Finance
Documents (for example, pursuant to the Payment Priorities). Once
the funds are so paid, deposited or transferred, they can be
withdrawn on any date from the Compensation Account to be applied
towards the general corporate purposes or general working capital
of the TWU Financing Group (subject to the Compensation Account
Continuing Cash Release Restrictions).
(viii) TWUL believes
that this waiver would be beneficial to Secured Creditors, as it
would improve the financial resilience of the TWU Financing Group
and frees up additional liquidity for the implementation of the
Proposed Steps.
(4)
September Interim Accounts Waiver
(i) As more
fully set out in the relevant STID Proposal, pursuant to paragraph
1 (Financial Statements)
of Part 1 (Information
Covenants) of Schedule 4 (Covenants) to the CTA the Obligors are
required to supply to the Security Trustee their unaudited interim
financial statements within five Business Days of the date upon
which they are available, and in any event within 90 days of the
end of the relevant financial period to which they relate. In
respect of their unaudited interim financial statements for the
period ending 30 September 2024 (the "September Interim Accounts"), the
Obligors must provide the September Interim Accounts by no later
than 29 December 2024.
(ii)
Given the current liquidity runway discussions which TWUL is
seeking to address with the Interim Recapitalisation Transaction,
TWUL is proposing that the Obligors do not deliver the September
Interim Accounts at all.
(iii) TWUL
is requesting a waiver of the requirement to deliver the September
Interim Accounts pursuant to paragraph 1 (Financial Statements) of Part 1
(Information Covenants) of
Schedule 4 (Covenants) to
the CTA and any Default or Event of Default which would occur under
paragraph 2 (Breach of other
obligations) of Part 2 (Events of Default (TWUL, TWUF and the
Issuer)) of Schedule 6 (Events of Default) directly as a
consequence of the non-delivery of the September Interim
Accounts.
(iv) TWUL
believes that this waiver would be beneficial to Secured Creditors,
to enable management time to focus on and prioritise the Interim
Recapitalisation Transaction and ancillary workstreams. The next
financial statements, being the audited financial statements for
the financial year ended 31 March 2025 are intended be delivered in
accordance with the CTA following the intended Interim
Recapitalisation Transaction.
(v)
For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed waiver of the requirement
to deliver the September Interim Accounts shall not affect or waive
the requirement for the Issuer, TWUL and TWUF to deliver a
Compliance Certificate within five Business Days of the date upon
which its interim financial statements are available and, in any
event, no later than 29 December 2024 (the "Interim Compliance Certificate") as
required pursuant to paragraph 2 (Compliance Certificate) of Part 1
(Information Covenants) to
Schedule 4 (Covenants) to
the CTA, nor the requirement for TWUL to provide an investor report
pursuant to paragraph 5 (Investors Report) of Part 1
(Information Covenants) to
Schedule 4 (Covenants) to
the CTA (with such investor report to be made available in the same
manner as the prior investor reports on the TWU Financing Group's
website). All applicable financial ratios will continue to be
tested.
For detailed information on the Proposals,
including the Proposed Steps to facilitate the implementation of
the Interim Recapitalisation Transaction, the effect of the Reserve
Account Restricted Cash Release and the Compensation Account
Restricted Cash Release on the cash management of the TWU Financing
Group and the September Interim Accounts Waiver, see the STID
Proposals. For the avoidance of doubt, the approval of one of the
STID Proposals is not conditional on all STID Proposals being
approved.
Waiver Conditions
If approved pursuant to the
applicable STID Proposal, each relevant waiver shall apply on and
from the date on which the Waiver Letter is executed, but the
continued application of each approved waiver is subject to the
conditions specified below:
(i) the
Interim RP PSL being issued on or before 27 November 2024;
and
(ii)
the "Effective Date Conditions" to the Transaction Support
Agreement having been satisfied on or before 27 November 2024, and
the Transaction Support Agreement not being terminated at any time
pursuant to clauses 15.1 (Automatic termination) (other than for
the Transaction Effective Date as defined in the Transaction
Support Agreement), 15.2 (Termination by agreement) (other than
where the Transaction Support Agreement has been terminated and
replaced by a transaction support agreement that has been entered
into by the Approving Parties as defined in the Transaction Support
Agreement), 15.3 (Termination by
the Majority Class A Consenting Creditors) or 15.4
(Termination by the Company
Parties) of the Transaction Support Agreement,
(the "Waiver
Conditions"). The "Interim
RP PSL" means a letter prepared in accordance with the
Chancery Division High Court Practice Statement (Companies: Schemes of Arrangement under Part
26 and Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006) issued on 26 June
2020 to be sent to all creditors and shareholders who will be
affected by the Interim Restructuring Plan informing them of the
proposed Interim Restructuring Plan and the proposed convening
hearing.
Without
prejudice to the Waiver Conditions, the approval of a waiver is not
conditional on the approval of any other waiver; therefore, for
example, if the Majority Creditors approve the Interim RP Launch
Waiver but do not approve the Reserve Account Restricted Cash
Release Waiver, the Compensation Account Restricted Cash Release
Waiver or the September Interim Accounts Waiver, the Interim RP
Launch Waiver must still be implemented (and, in this regard, each
waiver shall be treated as a separate STID Proposal (within the
meaning given in the MDA)).
No fee will be payable in connection with the
Consent Solicitation.
Transaction Support Agreement
In parallel with these STID Proposals, the TWU
Financing Group has entered into the Transaction Support Agreement
to help secure support for the Interim Recapitalisation
Transaction. By approving these STID Proposals a Qualifying Class A
Secured Creditor does not automatically accede to the Transaction
Support Agreement.
Expected Timetable
Event
|
|
Date
|
Announcement of Proposals, delivery of the STID
Proposals and Notice of Meetings given to Bondholders through the
Clearing Systems.
|
|
25 October
2024
|
Solicitation Memorandum to be made available at
the specified offices of the Tabulation Agent and the Canadian
Information and Tabulation Agent (copies of which are obtainable by
Bondholders upon request, free of charge).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expiration
Time: Latest time and date for (i) receipt of
valid Electronic Voting Instructions by the Tabulation Agent and
the Canadian Tabulation Agent through the Clearing Systems (such
Electronic Voting Instructions are irrevocable from this date),
(ii) obtaining a voting certificate from the Principal Paying Agent
and for the issuance or revocation of a voting instruction given
other than by way of an Electronic Voting Instruction and (iii)
making other arrangements to be represented or to attend and vote
at the Meeting(s) or an adjourned Meeting.
|
|
4.00 p.m. (London
time)
on 13 November
2024
|
Time and date of the Meetings.
|
|
First meeting
commencing at 9:30 a.m. (London time) on 18 November 2024. Time of
each Meeting as set out in the Notice of Meetings
|
Notice of results of the Meetings to be given
to Bondholders through the Clearing Systems.
|
|
Promptly following
conclusion of the Meetings on 18 November 2024
|
STID Voting Deadline
|
|
2 December
2024
|
Announcement of results in respect of the STID
Proposals
|
|
2 December 2024 or
earlier, subject to the STID Proposals, should the Security Trustee
have received votes in favour of the STID Proposals from DIG
Representatives representing more than 50% of the total Outstanding
Principal Amount of Qualifying Class A Debt
|
Delivery of Waiver Letter
|
|
Promptly following
announcement of the approval in respect of the relevant STID
Proposal
|
All of the
above dates are subject to earlier deadlines that may be set by the
Clearing Systems or any intermediary.
General
Subject to applicable law and as provided
herein, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of
(save for the terms of the Extraordinary Resolutions or to bring
forward the Expiration Time), terminate or withdraw the Consent
Solicitation at any time up to the Solicitation Amendment
Deadline.
Bondholders or Beneficial Owners are advised to
check with the bank, securities broker, trust company, custodian,
Clearing System or other intermediary through which they hold their
Bonds whether such intermediary will apply different deadlines for
participation to those set out in the Solicitation Memorandum and,
if so, should adhere to such deadlines if such deadlines are prior
to the deadlines set out in the Solicitation Memorandum.
In relation to the delivery or revocation of
Electronic Voting Instructions, in each case, through the Clearing
Systems, Bondholders holding Bonds in CDS, Euroclear or
Clearstream, Luxembourg should note the particular practice of the
relevant Clearing System, including any earlier deadlines set by
such Clearing System.
Only direct accountholders in CDS, Euroclear or
Clearstream, Luxembourg may deliver Electronic Voting Instructions.
Bondholders who are not direct accountholders in CDS, Euroclear or
Clearstream, Luxembourg should arrange for the accountholder
through which they hold their Bonds to deliver an Electronic Voting
Instruction on their behalf to the relevant Clearing System as more
particularly described in the Solicitation Memorandum. The
deadlines specified by the relevant Clearing System may be earlier
than the Expiration Time.
Bondholders are advised to read carefully the
Solicitation Memorandum for full details of and information on the
procedures for participating in the Consent
Solicitation.
A complete description of the terms and
conditions of the Consent Solicitation will be set out in the
Solicitation Memorandum.
For Further Information:
Further details on the Consent Solicitation and
copies of the Solicitation Memorandum can be obtained
from:
The Tabulation
Agent
Kroll Issuer Services
Limited
The Shard
32 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9SG
thameswater@is.kroll.com
https://deals.is.kroll.com/thameswater
Tel: +44 20 7704 0880
The Canadian
Tabulation Agent
TSX
Trust Company
301-100 Adelaide St W,
Toronto ON
M5H4H1
Attention: Emma McKenzie
Email: tmx_thamesinfo@tmx.com
Tel: 1 (866)
864-7961
The Canadian Information
Agent
TMX
Investor Solutions Inc.
301-100
Adelaide St W,
Toronto ON
M5H4H1
Attention: Renata Dzuba
Email: tmx_thamesinfo@tmx.com
Disclaimer
This announcement must be read in conjunction
with the Solicitation Memorandum. The Solicitation Memorandum
contains important information which should be read carefully
before any decision is made with respect to the Consent
Solicitation. If any Bondholder is in doubt as to the action it
should take, it is recommended to seek its own financial advice,
including as to any tax consequences, from its stockbroker, bank
manager, solicitor, accountant, independent financial adviser
authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (if in
the United Kingdom) or other appropriately authorised financial
adviser. Any individual or company whose Bonds are held on its
behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other
nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the
Consent Solicitation. This announcement is issued by Thames Water
Utilities Limited. None of the Tabulation Agent, Canadian
Tabulation Agent, the Security Trustee or the Bond Trustee accepts
any responsibility for the contents of this
announcement.
This announcement is released by Thames Water
Utilities Limited and contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it
forms part of the domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of
The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"), encompassing information
relating to the Proposals described above. For the purposes of UK
MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU)
2016/1055 as it forms part of the domestic law of the
United Kingdom by virtue of The European Union (Withdrawal) Act
2018, this announcement is made by Andy Frasier (Company Secretary)
at Thames Water Utilities Limited.
Legal Entity Identifier Number:
Thames Water Utilities Finance Plc -
213800SKZTSE2L1BII69