Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited is pleased to announce that The Most Honourable Errald Miller, JP, MBA, DTech (Honoris Causa), FCGI has agreed to serve as Strategic Mentor and Adviser to Chief Executive Officer Orville Ricardo Forbes.

The Most Honourable Errald Miller is one of Jamaica’s most distinguished business leaders. He is the husband of The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister and the country’s first and only two-time female Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012-2016

During a career spanning several decades, Mr. Miller served as President and CEO of Cable & Wireless Jamaica before later being appointed CEO of Cable & Wireless West Indies. In this capacity, he provided executive leadership for operations across Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, while also overseeing Cable & Wireless’ strategic interest in Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT). He led the Caribbean’s largest telecommunications organisations through a period of significant transformation, regional integration and market liberalisation that introduced competition across the region.

Mr. Miller holds a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, a Postgraduate qualification in Applied Physics from The University of the West Indies and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa) by the University of Technology, Jamaica in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business leadership and national development. He also serves as a Justice of the Peace (JP) and is a Fellow of the City & Guilds of London Institute (FCGI), one of the Institute’s highest honours recognising exceptional professional achievement and leadership.

As Strategic Mentor and Adviser, Mr. Miller will serve as a trusted adviser to Orville Ricardo Forbes, providing strategic guidance and executive counsel across Rocksteady Coffee Company and its affiliated premium beverage business, Brown’s Hall. His extensive executive leadership experience, together with his expertise in governance, organisational development and international business, will support the continued development of both businesses as they execute their long-term growth strategies, strengthen corporate governance, expand internationally and build enduring relationships with investors, commercial partners and other stakeholders.

The appointment further strengthens the Company’s leadership as it continues to execute its long-term strategy and reinforces its commitment to sound governance, disciplined growth and the creation of long-term shareholder value.

About The Most Honourable Errald Miller, JP, MBA, DTech (Honoris Causa), FCGI

The Most Honourable Errald Miller, JP, MBA, DTech (Honoris Causa), FCGI is the former President and CEO of Cable & Wireless Jamaica and former CEO of Cable & Wireless West Indies, where he held executive responsibility for operations across Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, while also overseeing Cable & Wireless’ strategic interest in Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT).

He holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, a postgraduate qualification in Applied Physics from The University of the West Indies, and an honorary Doctor of Technology from the University of Technology, Jamaica. He is a Justice of the Peace and a Fellow of the City & Guilds of London Institute, recognising a distinguished career in business leadership and public service.

About Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited

Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited (Company No. 15063235) is incorporated in England & Wales and is admitted to trading on the JP Jenkins matched bargain facility.

The Company produces premium, single-estate 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and is executing a long-term strategy to build a globally recognised premium Jamaican beverage business through premium coffee, value-added products and strategic international expansion.

05 August 2026

Great Eastern Energy Corporation Limited

(“Great Eastern” or “the Company”)

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the shareholders of the Company will be held on 21 September 2026 through Video Conferencing.

The AGM notice sent to the shareholders is available at the following link:

https://www.geecl.com/shareholders-notice.php

On behalf of the GDR holders, the said notice has been sent to the depository, i.e. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (adr@db.com)

For further information, please contact:

JP Jenkins Ltd.

Client Services Team

+44 (0) 20 7469 0937

Great Eastern Energy Corporation Limited

Jonathan Keeling, VP – Investor Relations

jkeeling@geecl.com

About the Company

Great Eastern is a fully integrated gas production, development, and exploration Company in India. Gas is being produced from the Raniganj (South) block in West Bengal, which covers 210 sq. km with 10.62 TCF of Original gas in place.

4th August 2026

NSHG:JPJ

ISIN: GB00BTLN3450

Novastar Hotel Group PLC

("Novastar" or "the Company")

Shares trading on JP Jenkins

London, UK, 4 August 2026  - Novastar Hotel Group PLC (NSHG:JPJ), today announces its shares have been admitted to trade on JP Jenkins share dealing platform following the completion of its recent acquisition, The Langham Hotel Eastbourne. The Company's registered address is 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX and company number is 16236213.

Novastar Hotel Group plc brings together a management team with expertise in the hospitality sector and a proven track record of scaling businesses.

The company operates a hybrid hospitality model, acquiring high-potential hotels and integrating additional revenue streams to maximise EBITDA. This model combines short-term rental accommodation with traditional hotel rooms, alongside a destination-led restaurant and bar concept, underpinned by a five-year growth plan targeting a portfolio of 25 hotels across the UK.

The Langham Hotel Eastbourne is set in a prime beachfront location on Royal Parade, overlooking the sea and just a short walk from Eastbourne Pier. The hotel has 77 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace. 

"We are creating hotels that are commercially astute and relevant to today's traveller, who is increasingly drawn to self-catering accommodation and home-like environments over the standard hotel offering," says Neil Barnett, CFO, Novastar Hotel Group. "Travellers also want to check into a destination and be part of the scene. That's why every one of our properties will have a restaurant and bar with real buzz and character, one that reflects its destination and becomes a hub for the local community."

JP Jenkins provides a share trading venue for unlisted or unquoted assets in companies, enabling shareholders and prospective investors to buy and sell equity on a matched bargain basis. JP Jenkins (FRN1037394) is a trading name of InfinitX Limited and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The indicative pricing for the ordinary shares as well as the transaction history, will be available on the JP Jenkins website at (https://jpjenkins.com/).

For further information, please contact:

Novastar Plc

Neil Barnett, CFO

Tel. +44 (0)7966 445568

Email: neil@novastarhotelgroup.com

JP Jenkins Ltd

Client Services Team

Tel. +44 (0) 207 469 0937

Email: info@jpjenkins.com

ENDS 

27 July 2026

JPJ:ROCK

ISIN: GB00BTMN0877

ROCKSTEADY COFFEE COMPANY LIMITED

Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur Secures Initial Retail Listings in Jamaica

Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK - 27 July 2026 – Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited

("Rocksteady" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a significant strategic milestone in the continued execution of the growth strategy outlined in the Chairman's Update published in December 2025.

Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur has secured its initial premium retail listings in Jamaica, marking the first commercial milestone for the Brown's Hall brand and advancing Rocksteady Coffee Company's long-term strategy to create additional demand for its premium Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee through complementary value-added beverage brands.

Delivering on the Company's Strategic Vision

The Chairman's Update published in December 2025 outlined management's intention to create greater long-term shareholder value by expanding the commercial applications of Rocksteady's premium Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee through strategic downstream partnerships. The commercial launch of Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur represents the first major execution milestone of that strategy.

Produced in partnership with RJ Rums & Spirits Ltd., Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur combines premium Jamaican rum with Rocksteady Gold 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, creating a premium product that celebrates Jamaica's internationally recognised coffee heritage.

Strengthening Rocksteady's Commercial Platform

Brown's Hall, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forbes Holdings Management Inc. (Canada), has been established as an independent premium beverage company focused on building internationally competitive Jamaican coffee- and rum-based brands.

The relationship between Brown's Hall and Rocksteady has been intentionally structured to create long-term commercial value for both businesses. Under the commercial arrangements between the companies:

• Rocksteady Coffee Company is the exclusive supplier of coffee to Brown's Hall.
• Rocksteady Coffee Company is the sole distributor of the Brown's Hall product portfolio.
• Each future Brown's Hall product is expected to generate additional demand for Rocksteady coffee Gold.
• Growth of the Brown's Hall portfolio creates additional commercial and distribution opportunities for Rocksteady Coffee Company.

Management believes this commercial relationship creates additional long-term demand for Rocksteady's premium coffee while expanding its distribution opportunities.

Disciplined Commercial Rollout

Brown's Hall's initial retail listings have been achieved using its first sample production. Management's immediate priority is to continue expanding the retail network across Jamaica ahead of the first full commercial production run with RJ Rums & Spirits Ltd.

This measured rollout is intended to establish a broader retail footprint before scaling production, supporting disciplined capital deployment, efficient inventory management and long-term sustainable growth.

Supporting Brown's Hall's International Expansion

Following its commercial introduction in Jamaica, Brown's Hall intends to pursue phased expansion into international markets. Canada has been identified as a priority export market, reflecting established demand for premium imported beverages and a mature retail infrastructure. The United Kingdom represents a second strategic market where Brown's Hall expects to leverage Rocksteady Coffee Company's growing international profile, shareholder base and commercial relationships established through its admission to the JP Jenkins private capital market.

Product Development Continues

Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur represents the first product within a broader premium beverage portfolio currently under development.

Management is progressing additional premium products, including Brown's Hall Liqueur made with Rum Aged in Whisky Casks, together with further coffee- and rum-based expressions inspired by Jamaica's agricultural heritage. Each new Brown's Hall product is expected to increase long-term demand for Rocksteady Gold coffee through the Company's exclusive supply relationship.

Capital Structure

Brown's Hall has been established as an independent business within Forbes Holdings Management Inc., allowing it to pursue its own long-term growth strategy and future capital requirements separately from Rocksteady Coffee Company. This structure enables Rocksteady to remain focused on its core coffee business while benefiting from its exclusive coffee supply relationship and sole distribution rights across the Brown's Hall portfolio.

As Brown's Hall expands, management expects the business to establish its own corporate structure to support future investment opportunities and international growth.

Chief Executive Officer's Statement

Orville Ricardo Forbes, Chief Executive Officer of Rocksteady Coffee Company, commented:

"Our December 2025 Chairman's Update outlined our objective of creating greater long-term value by expanding the commercial applications of Rocksteady's Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. Brown's Hall's initial retail listings represent an important milestone in that strategy. As Brown's Hall's exclusive coffee supplier and sole distributor, we look forward to supporting its growth and the increased long-term demand it is expected to create for Rocksteady coffee. Our focus remains on producing exceptional coffee and creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders."

Looking Ahead:

The Board believes the commercial launch of Brown's Hall represents an important milestone in the continued execution of Rocksteady Coffee Company's long-term strategy.

Management remains focused on:

• Commencing the first full commercial production run.
• Advancing international market development in Canada and the United Kingdom.
• Supporting the expansion of the Brown's Hall product portfolio.
• Increasing long-term demand for Rocksteady Gold Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee through complementary premium brands.

The Company looks forward to providing shareholders with further updates as these initiatives continue to progress.

About Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited

Rocksteady Coffee Company Limited (Company No. 15063235) is incorporated in England & Wales and is admitted to trading on the JP Jenkins matched bargain market. The Company produces premium, single-estate 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and is focused on creating long-term shareholder value through premium coffee production, strategic commercial relationships and international expansion.

Registered Office

23 Mount Road

Wombourne

South Staffordshire

WV5 9EU

United Kingdom

About Brown's Hall

Brown's Hall is a premium Jamaican beverage company and wholly owned subsidiary of Forbes Holdings Management Inc. (Canada). The company develops internationally competitive coffee- and rum-based products inspired by Jamaica's rich agricultural heritage. Brown's Hall Coffee Liqueur is its flagship product, with additional premium beverage expressions currently under development.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company's business strategy, product development, commercial expansion and growth plans. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. Rocksteady Coffee Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Interim Results for the Period Ended 30 June 2026

We are pleased to report the following unaudited results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026.  During the period, Gusbourne delivered continued progress against its strategic priorities, including improving operational performance, optimising its asset base, focusing on core freehold vineyard sites, expanding routes to market and continuing to craft the finest wines in the world.

Highlights of H1 2026 include:

• Net revenue* increased by 20% to £4.2m (H1 2025: £3.5m).
  
• International and Global Travel Retail sales increased by 15% to £1.03m (H1 2025: £0.89m). Gusbourne continues to expand internationally. Distribution agreements commenced in several new markets and sales depletions were supported within many existing markets, alongside further strengthened relationships within the global travel retail sector.
  
• Direct to Consumer sales (including bottle sales, tours and experiences) up by 13% to £1.20m (H1 2025: £1.06m). More guests have been welcomed to the Nest than ever before.
  
• UK Trade sales increased by 30% to £1.35m (H1 2025: £1.03m), demonstrating the strength of our direct relationships in this strategically important channel. Growth was further supported by our corporate sales channel, which grew 40% to £0.44m (H1 2025: £0.31m).
  
• Gross margin remained strong at 61.2% (H1 2025: 61.8%), with the modest reduction reflecting changes in sales mix.
  
• Adjusted EBITDA** was positive during the period, compared with a loss of £0.6m in H1 2025, reflecting improved revenue performance and the benefits of cost reduction initiatives.
  
• Following a comprehensive review of business operations, administrative expenses were reduced by 23% to £0.73m (H1 2025: £0.95m).
  
• Despite isolated frost events early in the growing season, overall weather conditions have been favourable and the grapes are developing well. We expect the 2026 harvest to commence in September and remain confident in achieving our usual high standards of quality and an improved yield.
  
• Ongoing success in international wine competitions with significant awards and scores received for still and sparkling wines from Decanter, International Wine Challenge and Texsom and reviews from Wine Enthusiast, Jancis Robinson and James Suckling.

* Net revenue represents Revenue after deducting excise duties.

** Adjusted EBITDA means profit/(loss)from operations before fair value stock adjustment and capital expenditure write-off/sales, fair value movement in biological produce, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Patrons Programme

All Gusbourne shareholders are invited to join our Patrons programme, which is designed to keep shareholders connected to the business.

We host several events each year, which provide shareholders with an opportunity to enjoy Gusbourne hospitality and meet with members of the Board.

If you are not a Patron, but are a shareholder and would like to join and attend future shareholder events, please email: patrons@gusbourne.com.

Since its launch in 2000, the UK’s EMI scheme has proven itself as an incredibly popular model, with a reported 89% of UK companies who use a tax-advantaged share scheme electing to use this approach. In short, it is recognised as offering a tax efficient way of allowing growth companies to provide equity stakes in a bid to attract high quality talent, critically matching the financial interests of founders and employees.

However, one of the single biggest challenges here is the fact that despite employees building this paper wealth, a lack of liquidity makes it very difficult to realise those gains. The collective efforts of employees can continue to boost the valuation, but typically they are left waiting for the necessary corporate event before they can crystalise any profits here. What’s more, the accuracy of the valuation is also hampered – if not indeed depressed – by the lack of liquidity.

So, what’s the solution? By integrating with an established private market such as JP Jenkins, this can provide invaluable institutional buy side distribution, a move that can be instrumental in delivering that improved liquidity and better price discovery. It also gives those institutional investors visibility of a new cohort of fast growth companies - as well as the potential to back them. That’s what drove us to partner with the popular equity management and cap table software provider Ledgy, streamlining access to our services for thousands of British companies.

The systems we have developed at JP Jenkins allow us to integrate directly into the underlying financial ecosystem. That enables better price discovery whilst offering client companies the ability to facilitate well governed and transparent securities transfers with whatever degree of ownership control they may require. What’s more this prints a live market price, giving employees added confidence that their efforts and investment into the business are very much worthwhile, rather than just a seemingly spurious number where the prospect of that converting into hard cash always seems a long way off.

The EMI scheme was undoubtedly a positive result of solid legislation that has helped many companies retain some great talent, but over a quarter of a century later and the world has very definitely moved on. Recognition of the power of being able to unlock and recycle capital grows, whilst more recently the sluggish IPO market leaving companies to stay private for longer has applied another brake on progress. With the recent advances that have been made in integrating private markets like our own venue into the broader financial ecosystem, now is the time for innovative growth companies to harness the power this combination holds.

Mike McCudden, CEO, JP Jenkins

Article 5 of 6.

12 June 2026

PMGL:JPJ

ISIN: GB00BPNWR625

Powder Monkey Group Limited

("Powder Monkey Group" or "the Company")

Powder Monkey Group Limited Announces Partnership with Chris Gayle to Launch Premium Beer Range

London, 12 June 2026 - Powder Monkey Group Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with global cricket icon Chris Gayle to develop and launch a new premium beer range, comprising a signature pilsner and a rum-flavoured beer.

The initial product launch will take place in the United Kingdom, with planned expansion into India and Australia. The partnership combines Powder Monkey's brewing capability with Gayle's global profile to create a distinctive offering within the premium beer segment.

Known as the "Universe Boss," Gayle is one of the most recognisable figures in international cricket, with a strong following across key global markets, particularly in India. The collaboration is expected to leverage this reach to support brand growth and market penetration.

The Indian beer market, valued at approximately INR 477 billion in 2025, is projected to reach INR 833 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.45%. Powder Monkey intends to capitalise on this growth through a phased international rollout following the UK launch.

Andy Burdon, CEO of Powder Monkey Group, commented:

"This partnership brings together a proven brewing platform and one of the most recognisable personalities in global sport. We are launching in the UK with a clear plan to scale internationally, targeting markets where Chris has strong consumer resonance."

Chris Gayle added:

"From the outset, it was clear that Powder Monkey shared my ambition to create high-quality products with broad appeal. I'm pleased to be working closely with the team and to have taken an equity position in the business as part of this partnership."

The announcement forms part of Powder Monkey's wider growth strategy. In 2025, the Group expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of seven breweries and continues to invest in additional production capacity, including a recently opened facility in South West Sydney.

The Company is also preparing for a new share subscription to be launched in June 2026, with trading available via the JP Jenkins secondary market platform.

Further information, including indicative pricing and transaction history, is available at:
JP Jenkins - Powder Monkey Group Limited

About Powder Monkey Group Limited

Powder Monkey Group was created in 2023 to bring together several brewing and hospitality operations under one roof, creating a Powerhouse of Brands with grain to glass margins across a Global landscape. The Group has just acquired its second UK brewing and hospitality site. In Australia the Group has two production facilities, a hospitality offering and an additional site locked in for Q3 2025. The Group is continuing with its growth strategy, with targets and opportunities identified in the UK, APAC, US and Europe.

For more information, please contact:

Powder Monkey Group Limited

Investor Relations

investor.relations@powdermonkeygroup.com

Tel: +44 (0) 239 252 2126

JP Jenkins Ltd

Client Services

info@jpjenkins.com

Tel. +44 (0) 207 469 0937

ENDS

Whilst some founders may be all too keen to see the back of a business they grew from a seed of an idea into a successful enterprise, it’s fair to say they are likely in the minority. For many - and indeed for some of the early stage investors who shared in the founder’s passion, dream and invariably a degree of turbulence along the way - the idea of selling the entire asset and entrusting its fate to a new custodian can be something that is genuinely feared, not welcomed.

With that in mind, the challenge of realising a liquidity event, enabling the recycling of capital and still retaining a material ownership stake - and voting rights - in the business is one that faces many advisers and founders every day.

Historically the solution may have been to look at a traditional public market listing, but the rising costs, reporting and regulatory burdens here have resulted in a pattern becoming entrenched over the last few years - companies are staying private for longer.

Another option is a trade sale, but that’s likely to result in a binary outcome. Attempting to negotiate a residual role under a new ownership structure is unlikely to be popular with the new investors - and likely not so rewarding for the founder, either. It would also almost inevitably remove any concept of optionality for an early stage investors who wanted to remain part of the venture for an extended period of time, too.

That’s where the modern private market now plays such a critical role, addressing each of these challenges in turn - and without the costs risking the entire venture being left to look like a vanity project.

A markets-lite listing allows transfers and partial sales of securities to be made in a transparent and well governed manner. Guard rails can be applied in line with the company’s requirements to provide whatever degree of control is necessary in ensuring ownership doesn’t transfer to unwelcome parties, trading windows can be defined, whilst trading limits can also be applied to ensure price volatility is well managed at all times. This new generation of market is all about putting the company in control, making sure their needs and those of their investors are addressed, whilst operating within a formalised framework.

This approach gives institutional investors the confidence to get involved, provides an exit route for those who want to scale back their holdings and a well defined route to capital table restructuring or consolidation. The panacea of a controlled, partial exit can is now within reach of any privately held business.

Mike McCudden, CEO JP Jenkins

Article 4 of 6

The Directors’ Valuation is currently £2.55 per share.

The Directors’ Valuation was last reviewed in June 2026. Details about the update are available here.

Our approach to the Directors’ Valuation has been consistently applied for the last 17 years. It is based on the value of each project in the portfolio, both operating and under construction.

We use a detailed discounted cash flow valuation. This looks at the forecast income for each project in the future less direct project costs and central overheads.

The forecast is discounted to account for time and risk- with more risky projects discounted more and money forecast to be received further into the future discounted more than money due in the short term.

We consider this approach appropriate for our projects which are capital intensive and long-term investments. The Directors’ Valuation is regularly updated and adjusted after any material events which impact on the valuation, such as the acquisition of new projects, changes in electricity prices and corporation tax.

In 2019, we sold two operational wind farms realising a significant gain. Established renewable energy projects have become a desirable commodity, offering long term inflation linked revenues. The sale of the two projects provides further evidence to support our valuation of the Company.

8th June 2026

Samarkand Group Limited

("Samarkand", the "Company" or together with its subsidiaries the "Group")

Trading Update 12 Months Ending 31 March 2026 (FY26)

Samarkand Group Limited, (JPJ:SMK), is a consumer brand owner, specialist in natural health and wellbeing. The Company provides a trading update for year ending 31 March 2026 (FY26) on an unaudited basis.

The Group has moved into full year profitability in FY26 on an EBITDA basis and has seen an encouraging start to FY27 trading. Following a period of restructuring and reconfiguration, the Group is now focused on the growth and development of its portfolio of owned natural health and wellbeing brands. These brands include Napiers the Herbalists, Zita West and Natures Greatest Secret.

Owned brands revenues in the UK grew in the range of 10% to 15% vs prior year. This growth, combined with improvements in gross margins, effective management of operating costs and the discontinuation of unprofitable activities, have enabled the Group to achieve positive full year adjusted EBITDA of c.£450k.

Brand Performance

• Napiers the Herbalists is our natural herbal apothecary brand, founded in Edinburgh in the 1860s. The brand grew revenues in the UK by c.12.5% in the year. This growth was driven by new product introductions targeting health and wellbeing trends, new customer acquisition and omnichannel expansion. New product launches expanded our natural herbal skin care offer and improved our range of Napiers brand vitamins and supplements.

• The original Napiers the Herbalists apothecary store has been in the same location in the old town of Edinburgh since the 1860s. The store grew revenue by c.35% vs prior year. In the same period online sales from Napiers eCommerce site grew by c.25% vs prior year.

• We launched a specialist platform, My Natural Life, to support our partnership with independent medical herbalists and other health and wellness practitioners. This platform enables practitioners to operate their practices more efficiently and effectively and makes it easier to work with and recommend our brands to their customers.

• Zita West is our specialist supplement product line for fertility and reproductive health. UK revenues for this brand grew c.15% over prior year. This is attributable to strong customer retention and new customer acquisition on a DTC basis. This was also driven by new product development at clinician recommended effective doses and supported by enhanced marketing and strong growth with select retail partners.

• Our Zita West brand offers customers fertility nutrition backed by clinical expertise. We support customers with extensive education and high touch customer care in support of their fertility goals. We expanded our team of specialist nutritionists to provide tailored, personal support to a growing number of customers.

• Natures Greatest Secret, our colloidal silver based natural health and wellbeing brand for humans and pets grew revenues by c. 8% on a like for like basis. There was strong growth in the pet category in particular which resulted from developing retail and wholesale partnerships. We expanded our range of natural herbal preventative remedies for cats and dogs has been expanded. This offer pet owners a wider range of natural solutions.

David Hampstead, Chief Executive Officer of Samarkand Group, commented:

“We are pleased with the progress we have made in the growth and development of our owned brands. Our brands are meaningfully differentiated, well positioned in high growth natural health and wellbeing segments and enjoy strong unit economics in terms of gross margins and contribution profit. We are excited about their future growth potential and see many opportunities to expand the reach of all our brands.

Our operating model pairs specialist brand and marketing with shared resources which are leveraged across all brands. Shared resource span new product development, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, and consumer pick pack ship. This model enables operating leverage and delivers differentiated speed to market across the portfolio. The restructuring and refocusing of the Group are largely complete. This transition can be seen in our improved performance across all metrics as we drive profitable growth in our owned brands. Our ambition for the year ahead is to grow our top line at a low double digit rate vs prior year and to further improve operating margins and EBITDA delivery through operating leverage.

The new financial year has started well. Trading in April and May was close to expectations. Both months are expected to be profitable at the EBITDA level and are showing healthy growth over the same period last year. We are excited about the future potential in the growth and development of our owned brands. While we remain wary of the external environment and the potential impact on consumer demand and input costs, we remain optimistic for the year to come.”

For more information, please contact:

Samarkand Group Limited

David Hampstead, Chief Executive Officer

Eva Hang, Chief Financial Officer

http://samarkand.global/

info@samarkand.global

Notes to Editors

Samarkand is a consumer brand owner operating a scale up platform for meaningfully different, high growth, high potential health and healing brands. Owned brands include Napiers the Herbalists, Scotland’s oldest natural herbal apothecary brand and Zita West, a leading specialist supplement line for fertility and reproductive health as well as Natures Greatest Secret a leading colloidal silver-based health and healing brand. Brands are marketed on an omnichannel basis with strong DTC and social commerce capabilities. In addition to specialist brand and marketing teams, the Group’s brands benefit from shared operational resources including shared warehousing and logistics and pick pack ship services from the Group’s own warehouse and in house manufacturing from the Group’s own specialist production facilities. Founded in 2016, Samarkand is headquartered in Tonbridge, UK.

For further information please visit https://www.samarkand.global/

Listing on a formalised private market comes with significant advantages for both the investor and the issuing company, not least when you’re looking at valuations.

In addition to having a structured market deliver a weight of credibility, it also enables investors to place a far higher degree of confidence on the valuation of an asset. Whether that’s a fund manager wanting to provide frequent updates to clients or an individual looking to understand net worth and potentially manage tax positions, a true secondary market accompanied by strong disclosure and reporting requirements acts as a genuine catalyst to change investor behaviour.

And without a private listing, investors face a real challenge when it comes to applying a valuation. Some may rely on the last funding round and that’s less of an issue if the company is continually going back to investors seeking fresh capital as the market is revaluing the proposition on a regular basis. But profitable, growing businesses look different and to account for that a range of metrics can be applied to adjust a valuation over time based on the performance of sector peers. But ultimately an active market and a live price will always give by far the most accurate valuation.

It’s worth noting that not all secondary market trading is considered ‘good’. If the price appears artificially supported, the valuation is disconnected from the wider fundamentals or liquidity is so thin as to raise questions over efficient price discovery then the listing is little more than a tick box exercise and will be marked down accordingly.

However, a robust company trading in an equally robust and well governed private market environment is far better positioned. Institutional investors will be willing to deploy capital in greater quantities, that important price discovery point is addressed, the real world demand for the stock will emerge, investors gain confidence and there’s a genuine path to exit laid out.

Secondary trading facilities can deliver a material impact, but business owners need to be mindful that despite the private market designation, there’s no room to hide. The accompanying transparency is after all what will give the heavyweight investors the confidence to back your business and further bolster your valuation.

Mike McCudden, CEO, JP Jenkins

Article 3 of 6.

A simple platform is admittedly a vital starting point for any operator who is looking to bring together buyers and sellers of whatever asset. Markets, venues, hubs, portals - whichever term is applied, the underlying principle is the same, as willing counterparties need to know others like them exist, but without a robust supporting infrastructure, casual arrangements certainly aren’t fit for purpose when it comes to buying and selling securities - regardless of the size of the transaction.

That’s why JP Jenkins has been working hard in recent years to ensure that their own systems and processes now integrate fully and directly with the underlying public market infrastructure. The key catalyst here was the acquisition of JP Jenkins by FinTech company InfinitX, as without the technical integration you’re left with just a very inefficient bulletin board - and price discovery that will have a lot of potential for improvement.

That integration with the wider public market infrastructure now works equally well for both our legacy matched bargain venue and also the new JP Jenkins Private market, which was the first venue to successfully host a PISCES liquidity event.

What’s more, the application of a level playing field, a degree of standardised reporting and in turn a structure that enables investors to undertake due diligence is far easier to achieve with a formalised framework or infrastructure. Those like JP Jenkins who adopt this approach are increasingly gaining the attention of market participants who want to work with trusted partners to offer a well governed route to liquidity. We’re becoming very much a part of the secondary market landscape.

Again, that perception of what differentiates a public market from a modern private one becomes increasingly blurred. Whilst the less onerous reporting structure, the involvement of fewer third parties on a mandatory basis and the ability to internalise more parts of the process keeps the overall cost of maintaining a listing in check, the accessibility, efficiency of price discovery, settlement and governance aspects remain closely aligned. Principles that are enshrined with our mission to put the needs of our customers and their investors ahead of us as the venue operator.

Mike McCudden, CEO, JP Jenkins

Article 2 of 6.