Shares

They can be very persistent and extremely persuasive and a 2006 survey by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reported that the average amount lost by investors is around £20,000. It is not just the novice investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years.

Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free reports into the Company.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

1. Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation.
2. Check that they are properly authorised by the FSA before getting involved. You can check at www.fsa.gov.uk/register.
3. The FSA also maintains on its website a list of unauthorised overseas firms who are targeting, or have targeted, UK investors and any approach from such organisations should be reported to the FSA so that this list can be kept up to date and any other appropriate action can be considered. If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you would not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FSA can be contacted by completing an online form at www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/doing/regulated/law/alerts/overseas.shtml.
4. Inform our Registrars (Capita) on 0871 664 0300 or email shareholder.services@capitaregistrars.com.
5. Details of any share dealing facilities that the company endorses will be included in company mailings.

More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found on the FSA website http://www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/.

The following UK-incorporated firms have no association whatsoever with the organisation discussed above identifying itself as LEK Consulting Group:

• L.E.K. Consulting LLP (Companies House No: OC300277) 40 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7JL

And it affiliates:

• L.E.K. Consulting (International) Ltd, 02218120
• L.E.K. Consulting (Investments) Ltd, 02110086
• L.E.K. Consulting (London) Ltd, 02218152
• Resource Decision Systems Ltd, 01863927

L.E.K. Consulting LLP and its affiliates are a strategy consulting group who do not provide investment and share dealing advice to individuals, and are in no way connected with the LEK Consulting Group of New Bond House, 124 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1DX.

What does this mean for you?

If you are an investor, you should be aware that the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme are not available if you deal with an unauthorised company or individual.

How can you check whether a firm is authorised?

To find out whether a company or individual is authorised, go to the FSA Register Check Service at www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/register/

Date: 10/06/2011

Note: For an up-to-date list of unauthorised firms issued, please visit: www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/Doing/Regulated/Law/Alerts/index.shtml

For further information on unauthorised firms targeting UK investors see the press release issued on 6 June 2006 at: www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2006/053.shtml

For more details about the tactics that are commonly adopted by unauthorised firms targeting UK investors see the warning issued in April 2005 available at: www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2005/039.shtml

The Shares Investments Scam leaflet updated in October 2010 available at: www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/other/scams_leaflet.pdf