The Quoted Companies Alliance, the independent membership organisation that champions the interests of small to mid-size quoted companies, marked the strength of the UK’s engines of growth at its Annual Dinner yesterday.
Over 300 members of the small and mid-size quoted company community, including company directors, investors, market operators, regulators and more, attended the Quoted Companies Alliance 19th Annual Dinner. The event was sponsored by the London Stock Exchange, with Morningstar and Wedlake Bell LLP as supporting sponsors of the evening.
The event at the Savoy in London featured a speech from Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Group. Xavier Rolet affirmed the London Stock Exchange’s commitment in helping small and mid-size quoted companies to raise finance. He stated: “The UK has an exceptionally strong community of SMEs and entrepreneurs, supported by an excellent financial, legal and regulatory framework. Making sure these businesses have access to the right type of finance is critical to the UK’s long term economic success, and to the creation of new jobs. This is why it remains a priority for London Stock Exchange that the British public equity markets remain the best in the world.”
Fiona Kelsey, Quoted Companies Alliance Chairman and Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, also addressed attendees. She emphasised the successes of the Quoted Companies Alliance over the past year.
Fiona Kelsey said: “Our sector is showing increasing signs of growth. More small and mid-size quoted companies are confident about the UK economy’s prospects and many are looking to grow their sales and create jobs. In addition, investors have been given more incentives to invest in growing companies. This year the Quoted Companies Alliance, along with the London Stock Exchange and other organisations, achieved two significant victories with the inclusion of growth company shares in ISAs and the announcement to remove Stamp Duty on trading in these shares from next year. We must continue to ensure that the UK creates an environment in which small and mid-size quoted companies can grow.”
It was also announced at the event that Fiona Kelsey’s term as Chairman of the Quoted Companies Alliance is ending this year. She will be handing over the role to Michael Higgins, Chairman of Ebiquity plc, an AIM quoted company, following the Quoted Companies Alliance’s Annual General Meeting on 1 October 2013.
Tim Ward, Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance, commented: “Everyone involved with the Quoted Companies Alliance would like to thank Fiona Kelsey for all her hard work as Chairman over the past three years. She has helped our organisation to achieve many successes and grow from strength to strength. We look forward to working with Michael Higgins, who will bring his hands-on experience of working in small and mid-size quoted companies to the role.”
