The Quoted Companies Alliance, the independent membership organisation that champions the interests of small to mid-size quoted companies, celebrated the vibrancy and growth of the UK’s engines of growth – small and mid-size quoted companies – yesterday at its Annual Dinner.
Over 300 members of the small and mid-size quoted company community, including company directors, investors, market operators, policymakers and regulators, attended the Quoted Companies Alliance 20th Annual Dinner. The event was sponsored by the London Stock Exchange, with Morningstar and Mills & Reeve as supporting sponsors of the evening. Winterflood Securities sponsored the after dinner drinks.
The 11 September event at the Savoy in London featured a speech from Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Group. Xavier Rolet affirmed London Stock Exchange’s commitment to helping small and mid-size quoted companies to raise finance. He said: “Ensuring these businesses have access to equity capital remains a priority for London Stock Exchange and it is essential for the future prosperity of the UK economy. We are working with the UK Government and the wider financial community to create an environment where these businesses can thrive. We are delighted by the Government’s recent initiatives, which are already having a significant positive impact on trading, liquidity and investment into equities. In fostering an equity culture, we are encouraging ambitious firms to fund innovation and growth, in turn benefitting the UK economy through employment and economic expansion.”
Michael Higgins, Chairman of the Quoted Companies Alliance, also addressed attendees. Speaking at the event, he reflected on his first year as Chairman of the organisation, emphasising the successes of the Quoted Companies Alliance over the past year. Michael Higgins said: “Last year, we were shouting about the successful introduction of AIM and ISDX shares going into ISAs and the abolition of stamp duty on growth market shares. The past 12 months have shown how these changes have translated through into enhanced liquidity in smaller company shares.
“The next year will inevitably bring with it new challenges both to [the Quoted Companies Alliance] as an organisation and to all our members. The impact of the changed composition of the European Parliament and the as yet unknown agenda of the new European Commission, coupled with the ongoing domestic debate over our relationship with Europe, will require us to devote significant resources to our relationships in Brussels and Whitehall. We also have the small matter of a domestic General Election. I am confident that the Quoted Companies Alliance will rise to the demands of these challenges and the inevitable changes, and will resolutely champion the interests of our members.”
Tim Ward, Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance, commented on the event: “Our Annual Dinner provides a great opportunity for our members to interact with each other. Our members gather to celebrate the vital work of the Quoted Companies Alliance in helping to ensure that small and mid-size quoted companies are able to raise finance, grow and create employment. Having been CEO for five years, now more than ever, I continue to see the impact that the Quoted Companies Alliance can have in creating the right ecosystem for small and mid-size quoted companies.”
