COMPLETION OF US SEPARATION FROM WELLS FARGO

Equiniti Group plc

Incorporated in England and Wales

Registration number: 07090427

LEI: 213800TS721HGE2JIV94

ISIN: GB00BYWWHR75

30 May 2019

EQUINITI GROUP PLC - COMPLETION OF US SEPARATION FROM WELLS FARGO

Equiniti Group plc ("Equiniti" or the "Group"), an international technology-led services and payments specialist, is delighted to announce completion of the technical separation of its EQ US division from Wells Fargo.

The acquisition of Wells Fargo's share registration business positions Equiniti for growth in the world's deepest capital market, enhancing the opportunities for cross-selling to new and existing clients and providing an opportunity to gain a greater share of the share registration and employee plans market in the United States. This technical separation allows the realisation of operating synergies which are being delivered in line with expectations, and provides the foundation to scale operations to support growth.

All business functions are now administered on Equiniti's infrastructure and systems in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago and New York, and EQ US's clients and customers will benefit from the latest web and mobile-optimised portals for both issuers and shareowners.

Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive of Equiniti, commented:

"Completing the separation is an exciting milestone for Equiniti's business in the world's deepest capital market. It provides an opportunity to transform our US operations into a market-leading, technology-enabled business with a broad range of transfer agency and supporting services.

"Equiniti's growth is underpinned by strong client retention and blue-chip new client wins. This internationalisation of the business positions Equiniti well for future growth with the opportunity to share expertise and cross-sell services to existing and prospective clients on both sides of the Atlantic."

Todd May, Chief Executive Officer of EQ US, commented:

"I am proud of what EQ US has achieved so far and the separation will bring further benefits to our clients and their shareholders as we adopt Equiniti's sophisticated technology and industry-leading servicing capabilities.  This includes our new innovative shareholder platform, EQ Insight, which we recently released. Our clients are already seeing benefits and we will continue to enhance this platform and many more.

"With this strong foundation now in place, the backing of the Equiniti Group and its broad range of new products for us to offer clients, we are excited about the opportunities to come as we support our clients in their efforts in achieving corporate objectives."

For further information please contact: 

Analyst/Investor enquiries:

Equiniti Group plc       Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive                            +44 (0) 207 469 1811 

John Stier, Chief Financial Officer                     
Frances Gibbons, Head of Investor Relations    

Media enquiries:

Temple Bar Advisory    Alex Child-Villiers                                              + 44 (0) 7795 425580
 Will Barker                                                         + 44 (0) 7827 960151

Forward-looking statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Equiniti. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including market conditions and other factors outside of Equiniti's control. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. Equiniti undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.