Claim by Slater and Gordon (UK) 1 Limited

14th June 2017/in , /by

Watchstone Group plc

Claim by Slater and Gordon (UK) 1 Limited (“SGH”)

Further to its announcements on 30 November 2016 and 11 May 2017, Watchstone Group plc (LON:WTG) (“Watchstone”) has now been served with High Court proceedings issued by SGH for breach of warranty and/or fraudulent misrepresentation for a total amount of up to £637m plus interest in damages.

As previously detailed, Watchstone will defend such claims robustly.

Watchstone will make further announcements in due course, as appropriate.

For further information:

Watchstone Group plc

alexnekrassov@newcenturymedia.co.uk

 Tel: 020 7930 8033
Peel Hunt LLP, Nominated Adviser and broker

Dan Webster

 Tel: 020 7418 8900

Holding(s) in Company

8th June 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights  X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii BEACH POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 6 June 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 7 June 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 17%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51 7,804,152 7,804,152 7,888,718 7,888,718 17.14
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
7,888,718 17.14
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Khoa D. Le
15. Contact telephone number: +001 310 996 9657

Holding(s) in Company

6th June 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii Watchstone Group PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments  X
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii Polygon Global Partners LLP

Reade Eugene Griffith
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv  N/A
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 1 June 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 6 June 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 13%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Contract for difference relating to ordinary shares (GB00BYNBFN51)  6,000,000 13.033%
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
6,000,000 13.033%
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
 Reade Griffith holds a majority of the voting rights in Polygon Global Partners LLP.  Consequently, Polygon Global Partners LLP is a “controlled undertaking” in relation to Mr. Griffith.
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information:  Polygon Global Partners LLP is the investment manager to a fund, Polygon European Equity Opportunity Master Fund, and a separate managed account that, between them, hold the positions referred to in this notification.
14. Contact name: Katharine Ostrow
15. Contact telephone number: +44 020 7901 8331

Holding(s) in Company

31st May 2017/in , /by

TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible)i
1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an “X” if appropriate)
Non-UK issuer
2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an “X”)
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify)iii:
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationiv
Name NATIXIS
City and country of registered office (if applicable) PARIS / FRANCE
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):v
Name
City and country of registered office (if applicable)
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:vi 26 May 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY):  31 May 2017
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) % of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights of issuervii
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 3.26% – 3.26% 1,500,000
Position of previous notification (if applicable) Below 3% – Below 3%
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedviii
A: Voting rights attached to shares
Class/type of shares
ISIN CODE (if possible)		 Number of voting rightsix % of voting rights
Direct
(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)		 Indirect
(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)		 Direct
(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)		 Indirect
(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)
GB00BYNBFN51  1,500,000 –  3.26% –
SUBTOTAL 8. A 1,500,000 3.26%
B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a))
Type of financial instrument Expiration datex Exercise/Conversion Periodxi Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is
exercised/converted.		 % of voting rights
SUBTOTAL 8. B 1
B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b))
Type of financial instrument Expiration datex Exercise/Conversion Periodxi Physical or cash settlementxii Number of voting rights % of voting rights
SUBTOTAL 8.B.2
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the applicable box with an “X”)
Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuerxiii
Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the
financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entityxiv(please add additional rows as necessary)		 X
Namexv % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
BPCE hold NATIXIS 70.99%  –  70.99%
10. In case of proxy voting, please identify:
Name of the proxy holder –
The number and % of voting rights held –
The date until which the voting rights will be held –
11. Additional informationxvi
Place of completion Paris
Date of completion 31/05/2017

Holding(s) in Company

26th May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights  X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii BEACH POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 24 May 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 25 May 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 16%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51 7,247,569 7,247,569 7,412,190 7,412,190 16.10
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
7,412,190 16.10
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Khoa D. Le
15. Contact telephone number: +001 310 996 9657

Holding(s) in Company

22nd May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights  X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii BEACH POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 18 May 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 19 May 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 15%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51 6,799,378 6,799,378 6,925,378 6,925,378 15.04
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
6,925,378 15.04
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Khoa D. Le
15. Contact telephone number: +001 310 996 9657

Holding(s) in Company

16th May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii Watchstone Group PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments  X
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii Polygon Global Partners LLP

Reade Eugene Griffith
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv N/A
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 15 May 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 16 May 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 12%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Contract for difference relating to ordinary shares (GB00BYNBFN51) 5,625,000 12.218%
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
5,625,000 12.218%
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
 Reade Griffith holds a majority of the voting rights in Polygon Global Partners LLP.  Consequently, Polygon Global Partners LLP is a “controlled undertaking” in relation to Mr. Griffith.
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information: Polygon Global Partners LLP is the investment manager to a fund, Polygon European Equity Opportunity Master Fund, and a separate managed account that, between them, hold the positions referred to in this notification.
14. Contact name: Katharine Ostrow
15. Contact telephone number: +44 020 7901 8331

Holding(s) in Company

16th May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii Société Générale SA (SG SA)
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 15/05/2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 16/05/2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii Below 5%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51

Ordinary share

  3,741,715 3,741,715 2,000,073  2,000,073 0  4.34 0
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
2,000,073 4.34%
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder:
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Investment Banking Control Room
15. Contact telephone number: +44 20 7676 6821 / 6969

Holding(s) in Company

16th May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights  X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii BEACH POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 12 May 2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 15 May 2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii 14%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51 6,285,977 6,285,977 6,446,581 6,446,581 14.00
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
6,446,581 14.00
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:  N/A
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Khoa D. Le
15. Contact telephone number: +001 310 996 9657

Holding(s) in Company

15th May 2017/in , /by
TR-1: Notification of major interest in sharesi
1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:ii WATCHSTONE GROUP PLC
2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights  X
An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached
An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
Other (please specify):
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:iii Deutsche Bank AG
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):iv Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached:v 12/05/2017
6. Date on which issuer notified: 15/05/2017
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached: vi, vii Above 8%
8. Notified details:
A: Voting rights attached to sharesviii, ix
Class/type of shares

if possible using the ISIN CODE

 Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Number of Shares Number of Voting Rights Number of shares Number of voting rights % of voting rights x
Direct Directxi Indirectxii Direct Indirect
 GB00BYNBFN51 3,471,638 3,471,638 3,787,781 3,787,781 0 8.23 0
B: Qualifying Financial Instruments
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Expiration date xiii Exercise/Conversion Period xiv Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights
C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi
Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial instrument Exercise price Expiration datexvii Exercise/Conversion periodxviii Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rightsxix, xx
Nominal Delta
Total (A+B+C)
Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
 3,787,781 8.23%
9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:xxi
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch – 8.23%
Proxy Voting:
10. Name of the proxy holder:
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
13. Additional information:
14. Contact name: Corinna Chan
15. Contact telephone number: 0207 54 50770