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Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warning to shareholders

We and other companies are aware that some of our shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from overseas based 'brokers' who target UK shareholders offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high risk shares in US or UK investments.

They can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. A 2006 survey by the Financial Services Authority (replaced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in April 2013) reported that the average amount lost by investors in such 'investments' is around £20,000. Many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free reports about the company.

Please read the FCA Share Fraud Warning

If you receive unsolicited investment advice:

  • Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation
  • Check that they are properly authorised by the FCA before getting involved. You can check the Financial Services Register here
  • For your information the FCA also maintains on its website a list of unauthorised overseas firms who are targeting, or have targeted, UK investors and any approach from ushc organisations should be reported to the FCA so that this list can be kept up to date and any other appropriate action can be considered. If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you would not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FCA can be contacted by completing an online 'report a scam or unauthorised firm' form 
  • Please inform our Registrars, Equiniti, on 0371 384 2041 or +44 121 415 7048 if you're calling from overseas or the Company Secretary's Department on 01925 237 052 or email our Secretariat
  • Details of any shareholding facilities that the company endorses will be included in company mailings and are available on our shareholders section
  • Further information on share fraud and boiler rooms is available on the FCA website
  • Further information on this or similar activity can be found on the FCA website