Guernsey companies listing in the UK

Guernsey has for some time been the domicile of choice for non-UK companies listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”), the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) and the Specialist Funds Market (“SFM”). The Island has developed expertise in the set up and administration of a range of entities from major corporations to niche investment vehicles.

As at June 2015, there were 69 Guernsey companies listed on the main market of the LSE (making Guernsey the most popular jurisdiction after the UK for companies listed), 38 Guernsey companies listed on AIM and 16 Guernsey companies listed on the Specialist Funds Market.

Carey Olsen has acted on a significant proportion of these listings and is ongoing adviser to many of the companies in question. Carey Olsen advises more LSE listed clients than any other offshore law firm and the second largest number of AIM clients of any law firm, according to the Corporate Advisers Rankings Guide (February 2015).

The LSE’s own review of the first half of 2015, showed continuing strong performance for Guernsey and for Carey Olsen, in particular, who advised on three of the five largest IPO’s on the 2015 list. This included advising Apax Global Alpha Limited on its listing on the premium segment of the main market of the LSE in a transaction that involved the acquisition by the listed vehicle of more than €600 million in existing investments and the raising of €300 million in capital for new investments.

WHY GUERNSEY?

There are several key advantages of using a Guernsey company as the vehicle for an LSE listing:

• Guernsey is a well-positioned and leading offshore financial centre

Guernsey provides top-tier financial services in a well-regulated, robust and stable environment. The island has high-quality service providers, including administrators, registrars, auditors and legal advisors.

The Island is located in the same time zone as London and is easily accessible from both the UK and the major European centres.

• Guernsey is a “white list” jurisdiction

Guernsey was within the first wave of jurisdictions placed on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) ‘white list’ in April 2009. In January 2011, IMF commended Guernsey’s high standards of financial regulation, supervision, stability and criminal justice framework.

Guernsey is widely recognised as being a leading “tax transparent” jurisdiction. In addition to having tax information exchange agreements with 58 jurisdictions (and counting), Guernsey has implemented US FATCA and CDOT FATCA reporting and is an early adopter of the OECD’s “common reporting standard” for automatic exchange of financial account information. Guernsey is also a participating jurisdiction in the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

• Flexible corporate law

Guernsey company law offers a number of different corporate vehicles providing a flexible framework that enables capital structures to be tailored to the specific needs of investors.

Furthermore, Guernsey company law omits aspects of company laws from other jurisdictions that investors find problematic or restrictive. For example, financial assistance is allowed (provided that the company is solvent) and a company’s ability to pay a dividend or other distribution (which can be paid out of share capital) is dependent on the company’s solvency, rather than a need to have sufficient distributable profits.

• Ease of trading in shares
Shares in Guernsey companies can be traded in uncertificated form through CREST without the need for depositary receipts required for many non-UK shares in CREST.

• No UK stamp tax charges on trades
Unlike UK equities, shares in Guernsey companies can be traded through CREST without attracting UK stamp tax charges (as long as the company’s shares register is maintained outside the UK).

• Tax neutrality
Guernsey holding companies typically pay income tax at 0% and are not subject to capital gains tax. Generally, collective investment vehicles can also benefit from income tax exemption. Guernsey does not levy withholding tax on dividends and other distributions paid to companies or non-Guernsey resident persons and does not levy withholding tax on interest. There is no Guernsey stamp tax on share transfers/sales.

• Subject to the UK Takeover Code
Guernsey companies listed in the UK are subject to the UK Takeover Code, so that investors can be assured that they receive the same level of protection that would have been afforded to them if investing in a UK company listed in the UK.

• Guernsey is not part of the EU
Guernsey companies are not directly subject to EU regulations and generally only need to comply with those that apply by virtue of the company’s EU activities.