AIM & PLUS Market Support
- Why these markets could help your business grow

AIM (Alternative Investment Market) was set up in 1995 by the London Stock Exchange, particularly to help smaller, innovative, ambitious and entrepreneurial companies to raise significant capital in order to grow rapidly and to create a market for their shares.

The overall cost of advisors can be between £250K to £500K, plus broker’s fees on the capital raised, together will an annual fee of around £200K, mainly to pay for compulsory compliance work. However, you do get a listed company and it can be an easier route than going to a Venture Capital firm.

The PLUS Market (formally known as OFEX) is an independent UK market and is much smaller than AIM. It is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, specialising in smaller and growing companies, offering an alternative rung on the ladder to AIM. The normal capital requirement is up to £1M; costs are normally less than half of that of an AIM listing and less regulatory compliance work is required.

Benefits of Flotation:

  • attractive to the international as well as UK companies
  • public market to fund expansion or raise profile
  • create a future business exit strategy

If you are considering a flotation, Hyde Corporate Finance can:

  • evaluate the suitability of an AIM or PLUS Market listing
  • review the structure of your business and your business plan
  • introduce you to the nominated or corporate advisors, brokers and lawyers you will need to progress a flotation
  • guide you through the whole process
  • assist in arranging pre-IPO or pre-placement funding

Alternatively, through our sister company Clarkson Hyde, we can act as Reporting Accountants, preparing the various reports required and reporting on capital adequacy, financial systems and profit forecasts. Our tax specialists can also advise on the tax implications of your flotation.

If you are interested to learn more about the mechanics and likely costs of taking your company to AIM or the PLUS Market, then please call Colin Ellis on 020 7292 7800 or email .

Read/download our article on AIM as a PDF [480kb].

Read/download our article on PLUS as a PDF [280kb].

"Their speed of response, knowledge of PLUS' requirements and attention to detail were key factors in our successful listing. Having searched to find the right firm we were introduced to Hyde the week before our admission. That was on the Thursday. Hyde started work for us the next day and the whole admission process was completed and announced the following Wednesday!"

David Jackson MD,
Ascot Mining Plc

"Being able to count on Hyde's expertise and experience of helping companies list on the PLUS market was invaluable and we are excited about what the future will hold for Pegasus in light of this key milestone in our development."

Robert Zummo, Pegasus Helicopter Group Plc