OUTLINE AND BACKGROUND

Ace Liberty & Stone plc is a UK-based property company.

After more than twenty years of success in the UK property market, buying and trading as well as building a portfolio for income and growth, Ismail Ghandour saw the opportunity to use his carefully honed skills in a new way. Previously operating on a property-by-property basis for each client, he decided to form an investor base whose funds would be combined into one portfolio. As well as increasing the potential scale of the business, this format separated ownership and management.

With the help of Ivan Minter, an FCA with extensive and diverse experience in corporate financial management, sole practice and regulation, Ace Liberty & Stone plc was created with its office in London and floated on PLUS in late 2007. Its shares are now listed on NEX.

Even with the adverse financial conditions resulting from the recession of 2008 and the subsequent uncertainty over Brexit, Ace Liberty & Stone plc has continued to prosper. The 2018 Annual Report shows how successful the company has been with sustained increases in its portfolio and associated rental income.

The company has not followed the London-centric bias of many property companies, preferring to focus on provincial UK cities and towns where available funding has supported the acquisition of commercial properties with triple-A tenants (government or blue-chip) and the potential for alternate use.

With the support of a well-chosen network of agents and advisors, the Board maintains a careful watch on regional property markets and it is this diligence, wedded to its skill in creative property management – negotiating purchases, rentals, planning permissions and disposals, that has enabled Ace to make strong returns and profits.

The Company’s dedication to shareholder value is evidenced by its having paid an increased dividend each year with a satisfying effect on share price. With effect from October 2018, dividends are being paid three times a year.

Underpinning all this successful activity in the UK property market is a strong infrastructure with reliable sources of finance. Early financial impetus was as a result of Dr Tony Ghorayeb, a longstanding friend, introducing investors through LiBank s.a.l. Tony has since joined Ace as chairman.

Good working relationships with major UK banks also enable Ace to move swiftly into opportune deals.