Essential guide to floating your company

Floating your company - that is, offering shares in your company on a public stock market - can be one of the most exciting experiences in your business life. But it can also be stressful, time-consuming and expensive.

You need to think carefully about why you want to float your company, which stock market to choose and how to manage the flotation process. Professional advice is essential.

Why float your company?

Reasons not to float your company

Choosing the right UK stock market

Choosing advisers

Preparing to float your company

Pricing your business for flotation

The float process

1. Why float your company?

Existing investors can sell their shares as part of the flotation

• Venture capitalists may want to realise their initial investment once the business has become more established.
• A founder may want to realise part or all of the value built up in the business.

The company can raise capital

• New shares are often issued as part of the flotation.
• This can be the best form of financing for companies with volatile or low cash flow, or which already have substantial borrowings.

Investors will be able to trade the company's shares

• Shares which can be traded are more attractive to investors.
• The company's shareholder base can be widened, increasing the potential for raising future capital.

The float provides a market valuation for the company's shares

• An initial float on a public market, offering a small percentage of the company's equity, may make it easier to sell further shares in the future.
• Key employees can see the value of shares or share options which they have been (or will be) granted.

The company may be able to use its shares as an acquisition currency

• It may be possible to fund future acquisitions entirely or partly in shares.

A float helps increase a company's public profile

• Going public raises the company's status with customers and suppliers.

2. Reasons not to float your company

Most companies cannot offer a return on investment sufficient to attract investors

• You need a strong management team, with a track record of generating profits.
• You must have a viable plan for achieving strong growth in earnings.

Another exit route - particularly a trade sale - may be a better alternative

• A trade sale is usually faster and cheaper than going public.
• Some companies, particularly mature businesses in non-growth industries or those whose value is largely based on their assets, may realise a higher price through a trade sale.

When you have shareholders, you will have a responsibility to satisfy their interests, which may not be in line with your own

• Shareholders may want you to focus on short-term profits rather than your strategic goals.
• Shareholders may want you to become involved in exciting ventures rather than the opportunities you favour.
• Some shareholders may expect generous, regular dividends, which could undermine cash flow.

You run the risk of losing control of the company altogether

• Substantial investors may want their own representatives appointed to the board.
• If your (and other directors') shareholdings are diluted, it becomes easier for another business to make a takeover bid.

There are hidden costs as well as significant cash costs

• Managers can be distracted from running the business during the flotation. There will be a continuing time cost of dealing with investors afterwards.
• If market conditions change, the float may have to be aborted.

Public companies have to comply with additional regulatory requirements

• You must publish full accounts twice a year, which will allow your competitors to see them.
• You must meet accepted standards of corporate governance. For example, having independent non-executive directors.
• You must ensure that important news is promptly communicated to all investors. For example, changes in your company structure.
• Private companies are not required to hold regular Annual General Meetings (AGMs), unless this is included in their articles of association. However, they must hold a general meeting if any director, or 5% of voting shareholders, requests one.

3. Choosing the right UK stock market

AIM is the London Stock Exchange's international market for smaller growing companies

• The requirements for a company to trade on AIM are less stringent than for the Main Market.
• The costs of flotation, and the ongoing costs, are lower than for the Main Market.
• Private individuals, venture capital trusts and institutions can invest in AIM companies.
• Shares traded on AIM are exempt from Stamp Duty.
• If the company has been in existence for two years or less, existing shareholders must agree not to sell their shares for at least one year after flotation.
• There must be no restrictions on the free transferability of shares.
• There is no minimum percentage of shares that you must make available. However, having fewer shares available could make the share price volatile.
• A company may choose initially to float on AIM and move up to the Main Market once the company's needs justify it.

The Main Market is generally only suitable for the largest companies

• The Main Market is the most high-profile market.
• Most investors will be prepared to invest in shares quoted on the Main Market (if they appear to be a good investment).
• Many larger investors will only invest in companies whose market capitalisation (the total market value of all the company's shares) is substantial, say several hundred million pounds.
• You must have a three-year track record to float on the Main Market.
• Costs are considerably higher than floating on AIM.

4. Choosing advisers

You will need to appoint and retain a corporate adviser

• For AIM, your adviser (referred to as a nominated adviser, or Nomad) will need to be on the register of advisers maintained by the London Stock Exchange.

Getting a broker is essential if you are looking to raise money, or float on AIM

• The broker will help you find and approach potential investors.
• The broker will help maintain your profile with investors once the company has floated.

Other advisers will need to be involved

• These include your auditor and your lawyer.
• You may want to involve a financial PR company, particularly if you are raising significant amounts of money.
• Choose your advisers carefully. Advisers with a good reputation could improve your credibility with investors, and are likely to be more thorough, as their reputations are at stake.

5. Preparing to float your company

Ensure that your annual accounts and reports conform to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

• An accountant's report on the company's trading record is normally included in the prospectus.
• Young businesses will need to have a business plan.
• If you have no trading record, check with the applications department before going ahead.

Your company's legal structure needs to be in order

• If you are a sole trader, or in a partnership, you will need to form a company.

You must make key information available

• Who the directors are, and what service contracts they have with the company.
• Who the major shareholders are.
• What new or existing shares are for sale.
• Details of the company's key contracts.
• The company memorandum and articles of association. Check there are no unusual restrictions.

You normally appoint a registrar to register the new shares

Check the other requirements of the public market you choose

• Before making an application, you should get a copy of the AIM or Main Market rules and ensure you meet their admissions criteria.

6. Pricing your business for flotation

Pricing a new flotation is complicated. The price may continue to be a matter for negotiation between you and your corporate adviser or broker right until the last minute.

Most companies are valued on their historical and expected future earnings

• Your advisers will help put together projections of future earnings.
• You can choose whether or not your prospectus contains an earnings forecast (which you must be confident of meeting or exceeding).

Investors will pay more for shares in exciting businesses

• Your company will be more valuable if it is a market leader in its sector, or if it is involved in a growth or high-profile industry.

You may choose to sell for a lower price to ensure a successful flotation

• Selling for a lower price helps provide good after-market trading in the shares.
• If you plan future share issues it is important to keep investors keen.

7. The float process

Start by choosing your advisers and getting the basics right

See Advisers and Preparing to float your company.

Nominate one individual to be responsible for the flotation

• This is usually the finance director.
• It is useful if that individual has previous experience of joining a public market.

Decide what type of flotation you want

• Choose an introduction if you are not looking to raise capital. It is the cheapest and simplest way to float (or to move from AIM to the Main Market).
• In a private placement, shares are offered to selected investors.
• In an offer for sale, shares are offered to the public and investing institutions. An offer for sale is more expensive than a private placement.

If you are raising money from new investors, you will need a prospectus

• This should set out all the key information about the company and the share offering.
• You are legally responsible for the accuracy of information in your prospectus. Be sure to check it carefully.

The typical timescale from start to successful flotation is at least three months

• The process of going public often takes as long as 12 months.