Watkin Jones shares drop as it explores selling assets; CEO resigns

(Alliance News) - Watkin Jones PLC on Wednesday said it had increased its cost funding and was ...

Alliance News 19 July, 2023 | 8:15AM
Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

(Alliance News) - Watkin Jones PLC on Wednesday said it had increased its cost funding and was exploring the sale of non-core assets on its balance sheet.

Shares in Watkin Jones, a London-based student accommodation developer and manager, fell by 35% to 50.20 pence in London on Wednesday morning.

Watkin Jones said it expected an impairment charge of around GBP10 million related to a balance sheet review, which it said was due to a "more challenging macro-economic backdrop'.

The company said it expects its Financial 2024 profit before interest & taxes to be around GBP15 to GBP20 million, as the company predicts that the challenging market conditions will persist into the coming financial year.

Watkin Jones said it was set to increase exceptional provisions for remedial works by around GBP30 to GBP35 million.

The company announced that Chief Executive Officer Richard Simpson has stood down from his positioned, and that Chief Investment Officer Alex Pease has become Interim Chief Executive effective immediately, whilst a formal process is undertaken to appoint a permanent CEO.

Chair Alan Giddins: "In taking on the role of Interim CEO, Alex provides both continuity, in what remains a very challenging backdrop for the sector, as well as significant experience in the residential for rent market which the board believes will help enable the group to regain momentum ahead of market conditions improving."

By Will Neill, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Watkin Jones PLC 51.90 GBX -1.33 -

About Author

Alliance News

Alliance News provides Morningstar with continuously updating coverage of news affecting listed companies.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures