Private equity firm Pamplona Capital Management said on Tuesday it had upped its stake in Lloyd’s of London insurer Chaucer Holdings to 10%, whilst rival bidder Brit Insurance dropped its proposed all-share offer.
Brit said in a statement that Chaucer would not recommend its proposal, leading to Brit withdrawing its offer, valuing the insurer at £221m (US$364m).
In a separate statement Chaucer said its chief executive, Ewen Gilmour, and chief financial officer, Mark Graham, have decided to leave the company, with Gilmour announcing his intention to retire at the end of year whilst Graham will pursue other opportunities.
The move follows a tumultuous period for Chaucer which raised £75m earlier this year and has been in talks with potential suitors since January after taking a hit from an investment exposure to hedge funds last year.
Brit had said on Monday it would offer 0.23 shares, worth 40.25p based on Friday’s close, for each Chaucer share.
However, analysts had said the offer, nearly a third below Chaucer’s book value, was unlikely to be popular with its shareholders.
Pamplona, which announced in May it wanted to take a 29.9% stake in the insurer, said it had acquired a further 3.99 million shares after purchasing 40 million Chaucer shares at 44p following discussions with the board and other investors on Monday.
It is expected that the bid, led by the former chief executive of closed life fund consolidator Resolution, Paul Thompson, will now proceed to be assessed by the UK’s Financial Services Authority.
Chaucer added Bob Stuchbery, chief underwriting officer, will take on the role of interim chief executive and Ken Curtis will act as interim chief financial officer whilst the company searches for a successor for both roles.
Reporting by Lorraine Turner. Editing by Greg Mahlich
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