RFC Appoints Chairman of Ambrian Partners

RFC Group (“RFC”), Australia’s leading independent mining and energy corporate advisory firm, announces the intended appointment of John Harrison as Chairman of Ambrian Partners Limited (“Ambrian Partners”).

This appointment will follow the strategic decision by RFC to acquire 100% of the share capital of Ambrian Partners, the well-respected corporate advisory and broking business of Ambrian Capital plc (“the Ambrian Partners Transaction”), announced on 3rd November 2011 and is subject to the ratification of the Ambrian Partners' board, normal regulatory approvals and consequent completion of the Ambrian Partners Transaction.

In partnership with the appointment of Mr Harrison, the acquisition (which itself is subject to FSA approval) will be an important further step in confirming RFC as a leading international natural resources corporate adviser. With offices in Sydney, Perth and now London, RFC will have a major presence in three key marketplaces for minerals and energy companies.

John Harrison, aged 63, joins as RFC prepares for an increased UK presence in the natural resources sector. His expertise in the sector and his breadth of experience in the UK market will help RFC maintain the momentum derived from the Ambrian transaction. RFC is itself an AIM licensed Nominated Adviser and the only one in Australia. The combination of Ambrian Partners’ AIM client list with that of RFC will represent the largest broker, by client number, to AIM’s natural resource sectors.

In recent years, John Harrison has advised on a number of significant resources transactions, including the raising of some £200m for LSE Main Market-listed ferrochrome producer, International Ferro Metals Ltd and recently, in the oil services sector, the US$45m AIM IPO of US produced water filtration company, MyCelx Technologies Corporation, as well as Cape plc’s move to the Main Market with a current market capitalisation of £560m.

John Harrison brings his resource sector knowledge and large contact base stemming from some 45 years of City experience. In 1994, following a successful career in the Lloyd’s reinsurance market, he joined Numis Securities Ltd to work on the formation of the then new Lloyd’s quoted corporate underwriting vehicles, an activity upon which the Numis corporate finance franchise was founded. He went on to act on the formation of Tenon plc, the UK’s first quoted accountancy business. Since 2003, he has led the Numis corporate finance activities in the resources sectors, involving the flotation of numerous UK and overseas companies in London. He retired from Numis in September this year.

Rob Adamson, Managing Director of RFC Group, commented:
“We are delighted that John has agreed to join Ambrian Partners and the RFC Group. His appointment presents an excellent opportunity for RFC to strengthen its presence in the UK and build on the momentum of having acquired Ambrian Partners, when that completes. Our strong corporate advisory teams will benefit greatly from John’s uncompromising dedication to each client and extensive experience of the UK investment space and international resources market.”

Nathan Steinberg, Chairman of Ambrian Capital, commented:
"On behalf of the Ambrian Capital board, I am delighted that John has decided to join Ambrian Partners. I am convinced that his appointment, as soon as the necessary approvals are obtained, will enhance the RFC/Ambrian brand. The Ambrian Capital board look forward to working with John and RFC, on an on-going basis, towards completion of the transaction."

John Harrison said:
"I am very pleased to have been invited to join the board of Ambrian Partners and much look forward to working with the team to realise the potential of the business. I have extensive and rewarding experience of acting with the RFC Group, which has a strong and proven track record of interacting with London's investment banking community and long-standing friendship with a number of the Ambrian Partners' team. The combined group's unparalleled expertise in the mining and energy sectors will present a real opportunity to provide a superior service in the natural resources corporate finance space."

Ends

Enquiries:
RFC Group Limited
Mr Robert Adamson, Managing Director
+61 418 493 504

Ambrian Capital plc
Mr Nathan Steinberg, Chairman
+44 (20) 7269 7680

Pelham Bell Pottinger (Financial PR to RFC Group) Mr James Henderson / Victoria Geoghegan / Philippe Polman
+44 (20) 7861 3232

Please click here for the pdf version of the announcement