Britain to exit European Union

BY Richard Summerfield

The British people have spoken and in a historic vote have chosen to leave the European Union after 43 years. The decision to leave was secured by a vote of 52 percent to 48.

A result that until fairly recently was considered unthinkable has been handed down this morning and, as result, global financial markets and stocks were plunged into a drastic and inevitable downward spiral. As a result of the ‘leave’ campaign’s victory, the pound fell 10 percent against the dollar, dropping to levels last seen in 1985; European shares too dropped more than 8 percent. Furthermore, billions of dollars were wiped off the market value of several of Europe’s biggest banks.

The UK’s decision to exit the European Union is a lurch into the unknown not only for Britain but for the wider European and global economies. Though there are many throughout Europe who have taken issue with the direction and policies of the 28 nation bloc, no country has ever taken the nuclear option and opted to leave.

Though the vote is hugely momentous for the UK, the result will also be significant for the future of the EU itself. Should the UK secure favourable exit terms from the bloc once Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty has been invoked, further disintegration of the bloc could occur. With France in particular becoming increasingly hostile to the EU, there will be interesting spectators on the other side of the English Channel watching the negotiations. With Brexit secured, ‘Frexit’ could be next on the agenda. As such, given the uncertain nature of Europe’s political and economic status, how the remaining 27 members of the union handle the UK’s exit could have huge ramifications for worldwide economic stability.

For the UK’s economic development, there are further issues which will be raised over the coming months and years. London’s status as Europe’s preeminent financial centre will be called into question moving forward, as will the potential of a return to recession for both the UK and Europe. The possibility of an emergency Brexit budget has been mooted by the chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, though this may seem unlikely given his ‘Remain’ loyalties.

While the future of the country is uncertain, one thing we know for sure is that prime minister David Cameron will not be the man to lead the way. By the time of the Conservative party conference in October, the UK will have a new leader as Mr Cameron chose to announce his resignation on Friday morning as the world was still digesting the result of the referendum. The future of the chancellor, a man who many considered a natural successor, may also be tied to that of his prime minister; Mr Osborne may now find himself on the outskirts of the political agenda, with chief Brexiteer Boris Johnson the frontrunner to replace Mr Cameron.

No matter who leads the country, the timing of the invocation of Article 50 will be crucial. Its activation will start the two year countdown toward Brexit, during which time the manner of the UK’s exit will have to be decided, as will the nature of the country’s future relationship with the EU.

Given the shaky ground on which the global economy sits, the decision of the British people to turn away from Europe will likely be damaging. The country’s access to the EU's trade barrier-free single market will likely disappear or be hugely curtailed.

For both Britain and the global economy, all bets are off.

News: Britain votes to leave EU, Cameron quits

Tesla makes “no-brainer” $2.8bn offer to acquire SolarCity

BY Fraser Tennant

In an attempt to create a renewable-energy giant, electric car maker Tesla Motors has made an offer, believed to be in the region of $2.8bn, to acquire solar panel company SolarCity.

According to a statement and a letter to the SolarCity board of directors on the Tesla website, the acquisition proposal consists of an offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of SolarCity in exchange for Tesla common shares. 

Furthermore, subject to the completion of due diligence, Tesla proposes an exchange ratio of 0.122x to 0.131x shares of Tesla common stock for each share of SolarCity common stock. 

Tesla’s proposal represents a value of $26.50 to $28.50 per share, or a premium of approximately 21 percent to 30 percent over the closing price of SolarCity’s shares - based on the closing price (Wednesday 22 June) of SolarCity’s shares and the 5-day volume weighted average price of Tesla shares.

“We believe that our proposal offers fair and compelling value for SolarCity and its stockholders, while also giving SolarCity’s stockholders the opportunity to receive Tesla common stock at a premium exchange ratio and the opportunity to participate in the success of the combined company through their ongoing ownership of Tesla stock”, said Tesla.

Explaining the offer to acquire SolarCity, Tesla said that its mission has always been tied to sustainability, having launched, in March 2015, Tesla Energy, a battery system that allows homeowners, business owners and utilities the opportunity to benefit from renewable energy storage (via its Powerwall and Powerpack home battery solutions).

“It’s now time to complete the picture”, continued Tesla in its statement. “Tesla customers can drive clean cars and they can use our battery packs to help consume energy more efficiently, but they still need access to the most sustainable energy source that’s available: the sun.”

The acquisition of SolarCity, if completed, is expected to yield significant benefits for Tesla’s shareholders, customers and employees.  

“Culturally, this is a great fit. Both companies are driven by a mission of sustainability, innovation, and overcoming any challenges that stand in the way of progress. The offer to acquire SolarCity is only the first step toward a successful combination of Tesla and SolarCity”, concluded the Tesla statement.

Entrepreneur Elon Musk, chairman of SolarCity and chief executive of Tesla, this week described the deal as “logical, obvious and a no-brainer.”

News: Elon Musk Aims to Shore Up SolarCity by Having Tesla Buy It

Boards now wising up to the true value of corporate culture, says new EY report

BY Fraser Tennant

Organisational culture is fundamentally important to corporate strategy and performance and should be embedded into decision-making and oversight processes, according to a new report released this week by EY.

The report – ‘Governing culture: practical considerations for the board and its committees’ – highlights the importance of culture to businesses, but, at the same time, suggests that the deliberation and focus in this area by the boards of many companies is often not adequate and appropriate.

Indeed, the EY report suggests that boards could be doing more, and cites a recent survey of FTSE 350 board members (conducted by EY and the FT) which saw the majority of respondents stating their belief that their board should take greater responsibility for shaping and monitoring culture.

Moreover, although 86 percent of survey respondents said that corporate culture was fundamental or very important to their company’s overall strategy and performance, only 19 percent said the board has primary responsibility for embedding it. In addition, 47 percent felt there was little or only partial consensus at board level as to what company culture should be.

“The board has an important role in relation to the political, social, performance and operational architecture that shapes culture”, states the EY report. “This begins with creating the vision for the desired culture within the organisation. Responsibility for bringing that vision to life and embedding it within operations or sometimes driving change falls to management, but the board must then apply rigorous methods for assessing, monitoring and overseeing culture.”

Whilst recognising that the concept of culture poses a great many questions from a governance perspective, the report stipulates that boards and board committees must apply a cultural lens to their roles and responsibilities to fully embrace the governance challenge. “Culture shouldn’t just be a hot topic for discussion, but also for governance action”, the report concludes.

As well as drawing on the findings of the EY and FT board survey on culture, the new EY report also showcases data from a recent paper by EY’s Corporate Integrity team: ‘The route to risk reduction: better rules or better decisions?’

Report: Governing culture – practical considerations for the board and its committees (June 2016)

PwC calls for change

BY Richard Summerfield

The oil & gas industry has endured a turbulent and troubled couple of years and, according to a new report from PwC, there may be more pain on the way unless radical and urgent changes are made within the industry, most notably in the North Sea basin.

PwC’s report 'A Sea Change: The future of the North Sea Oil & Gas' has called on those companies operating in the North Sea to implement a comprehensive programme of reform in the basin in order to meet short term energy needs. For the industry to undergo the necessary changes, however, it will require both government intervention as well as the input of industry organisations.

Given the deficiencies displayed by the industry it is unsurprising that there is a dearth of optimism permeating the oil & gas space; the report found that less than three in five senior executives interviewed by PwC were positive about the industry's future. A fifth of all respondents were pessimistic about the future.

Regardless of the gloomy outlook for the industry, there is a willingness within the space to change, according to Alison Baker, PwC’s UK and EMEA oil and gas leader. When interviewing respondents, PwC “picked up a real sense of urgency to create one last cycle of success that will retain and generate jobs, stimulate growth and ensure security of energy supply. But this was matched by a level of frustration at the fundamental issues that need tackling to avert the risk of rapid and premature decline. Part of the solution is for government agendas across Treasury, DECC and the OGA to be much better aligned to the needs of the whole industry, from super majors to smaller oil field services firms. The majority of respondents also want government to take a lesson from Norway and Saudi Arabia and be bold in setting out their blueprint for the future. This must incorporate onshore activity as well as defining how the North Sea basin will evolve in the short to medium term and, crucially, how the end game - and subsequent transition to a low carbon landscape – will be managed.”

One of the key measures proposed by PwC is the creation of a “super joint venture” comprised of a number of offshore operators which would not only share the risk of operating in the space. They would also split the returns. By combining their efforts under one joint venture banner, it would be easier for organisations to create greater cost efficiencies; indeed, a joint venture approach could see costs fall by around 15 percent, according to PwC’s projections. By pooling their efforts, they would also be in a better position to negotiate with suppliers in the long-term.

Such is the state of the sector, industry leaders have also proposed the transfer of certain assets, including pipeline infrastructure to a third-party company to ensure cooperation. The nationalisation of certain assets has also been mooted.

Report: A Sea Change: The future of the North Sea Oil & Gas

Monumental $26.2bn deal sees Microsoft acquire LinkedIn

BY Fraser Tennant

In a monumental deal which combines the world's leading platform and productivity company with the world’s leading professional network, Microsoft Corp is to acquire LinkedIn Corporation in a transaction valued at $26.2bn.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction, with the professional network retaining its distinct brand, culture and independence. In addition, Jeff Weiner will remain as CEO of LinkedIn and will report to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

The world's largest and most valuable professional network, over the past year LinkedIn’s innovations, have resulted in an increase in membership, engagement and financial results, including: (i) 19 percent growth year over year (YOY) to more than 433 million members worldwide; (ii) 9 percent growth YOY to more than 105 million unique visiting members per month; (iii) 49 percent growth YOY to 60 percent mobile usage; (iv) 34 percent growth YOY to more than 45 billion quarterly member page views; and (v) 101 percent growth YOY to more than 7 million active job listings.

"The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centred on connecting the world's professionals," said Mr Nadella. "Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organisation on the planet."

Microsoft has said that it will finance the deal transaction primarily through the issuance of new indebtedness and, upon closing, expects LinkedIn's financials to be reported as part of Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment.

"Just as we have changed the way the world connects to opportunity, this relationship with Microsoft, and the combination of their cloud and LinkedIn's network, now gives us a chance to also change the way the world works," said Mr Weiner. "For the last 13 years, we've been uniquely positioned to connect professionals to make them more productive and successful, and I'm looking forward to leading our team through the next chapter of our story."

Unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both LinkedIn and Microsoft, the deal is subject to approval by LinkedIn's shareholders, the satisfaction of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

The Microsoft/LinkedIn transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016.

News: Microsoft to buy LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in its largest deal