I am pleased to be able to say that the steady improvement in market confidence and ECM activity reported in our last PLC Update (November 2013) has continued over the past six months. In addition to continuing strong interest in the TMT sector, as evidenced by the IPO of our client Tekcapital plc, we have also seen interest return to the Oil and Gas sector where we have been involved in two notable AIM transactions, namely the demerger and admission to AIM of Leyshon Energy plc and the placing and open offer by long standing client Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc. With further deals in the Life Sciences, Real Estate and Aviation sectors too, it's been a busy six months for the team.
In other developments, we are proud and excited to have become a partner to the ELITE programme. ELITE is an innovative business support initiative for high growth private UK companies which was launched by the London Stock Exchange at Imperial College on 28th April. The 24-month ELITE programme will provide companies' founders, CEOs and executive teams with a tailored portfolio of business support tools, education services provided by Imperial College Business School and access to a select group of advisers and investors. For further information on the programme, companies and partners, please refer to: http://elite.londonstockexchange.com