The early bird catches the worm

When you are in the midst of planning an IPO, the appointment of a registrar is often a last minute decision. In many cases the cost and importance of the registrar’s appointment is considered a lower priority for a company, but actually, it is the first step in what is likely to be a long term relationship. For that reason alone, it merits deeper consideration. Committing time to get your registrar involved at an early stage can pay serious dividends in terms of service delivery.

It’s also important for a company to get the right registrar appointed, not just for the present, but also to meet their future needs. For complex transactions involving global offerings, depositary interests or major retail offerings, the registrar is often approached earlier and becomes a key part of the project team. With smaller, less complex offerings the registrar can also add value by helping the company look ahead beyond the IPO, considering issues such as how they are going to manage Corporate Governance, the production of their first Annual Report, and the organisation of an effective AGM. In addition, an acquisitive company may want to understand the implications of a takeover or merger and how that could play out in the UK or globally. These are all issues that should be considered when appointing a registrar, as a wrong decision early on could result in a company locked into a provider who cannot cater for their requirements as they grow.

A quick chat with the proposed registrar to provide a greater understanding of services could bring many benefits in the future. Give Charles Heming in London a call on 0870 703 0378 or 07795 412079 and he will be happy to give you an overview of the benefits of an early appointment.