Update on BF&M disposal

As announced in June 2023, we agreed the sale of our 37% holding in BF&M to Bermuda Life Insurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of Argus Group Holdings Limited ("Argus") for a cash consideration of $100m (the "Sale"), conditional on receipt of a number of regulatory and tax approvals.

Following the announcement of this proposed disposal, BF&M's board implemented a shareholder rights agreement, the objective of which was to act as a 'poison pill' in the event of any new shareholder seeking to register a more than 15% shareholding without BF&M's consent. This shareholder rights agreement has since been removed. However, BF&M thereafter separately announced a partnership with Equilibria Capital Management Limited (Argus' major shareholder) under which Equilibria will grant BF&M an exclusive option to acquire a 13.7% stake in Argus. As part of this partnership, BF&M has also committed to a significant investment in a dedicated Equilibria investment fund which will include as its initial investment a 16.3% stake in Argus.

As previously communicated, these developments have impacted the anticipated timetable for regulatory approvals for the Sale. While a number of the required regulatory and tax approvals have been forthcoming, some key approvals remain outstanding which we now expect in Q2 2024.