NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gatemore Capital Management (“Gatemore”) is pleased to announce its participation in the Lightning Round of this year’s 13D Monitor Active-Passive Investor Summit.

Gatemore is presenting Watches of Switzerland Group PLC, an international retailer of luxury watches and jewellery based in Leicester, UK. WOSG is a leader in its industry, benefiting from long-standing relationships with world-leading luxury brands to provide its clientele with best-in-class merchandise, service, and commentary on trends in the luxury goods sector. With a portfolio of 220+ brick-and-mortar showrooms and an expanding online presence, WOSG has a leading position in the UK (a leading luxury watch market globally on a per capita basis) and is rapidly growing its market share in the vast and under-penetrated US market. Building on a robust track record, the Company’s long-standing, well-aligned leadership team further aims to double the business by FY28.

In September 2024, when WOSG was trading at 380p, Gatemore wrote a letter to the Board of WOSG to highlight the gap between the Company’s strong intrinsic value and relatively weak share price, calling for the Company to launch a substantial share buyback to accrete permanent value for shareholders.

In order for WOSG to fully unlock the value of its stock, we are now calling for the Company to move its primary listing to the US, a key growth market around which WOSG is already pursuing an ambitious growth strategy. As a result of this, we expect WOSG to generate the majority of its future revenues from the US market; now is the time for this listing change.

The move would also bring additional benefits, including:

• A fresh opportunity to highlight the Company’s exposure to the growing market for fine watches and branded jewellery in the US and no exposure to the luxury slowdown in Asia;
• Access to deeper pools of capital and long-term growth investors with a deep understanding of the US, the key growth market for WOSG;
• Higher valuations that more accurately reflect the Company’s intrinsic value; and
• Significantly greater liquidity.

Liad Meidar, Managing Partner at Gatemore, said: “Watches of Switzerland has established itself as the leading retailer of premium watches. It is an exceptional business, providing customers a premium experience and boasting longstanding partnerships with some of the strongest brands in the world. With a clear leading position in the UK market, the Company is now well positioned to unlock additional growth in the massive and underpenetrated US market.

We are impressed with the track record and ambition of the management team, and we call on them to consider a listing in the US to fulfil WOSG’s potential and help unlock the intrinsic value of this  business.”

Gatemore’s presentation on WOSG at 13D Monitor can be found here.

For media enquiries:

Greenbrook Advisory
Rob White, Teresa Berezowski
+44 (0)20 7952 2000
[email protected] 

About Gatemore Capital Management

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Gatemore Capital Management manages an activist strategy focused on companies across consumer, industrial, healthcare, sports, media, and technology sectors. Gatemore primarily targets fundamentally sound businesses that are underperforming and/or undervalued but have strong potential for recovery and growth. Gatemore’s strategy is to influence outcomes and drive outperformance through thought leadership and deep engagement, aiming to effect positive change and unlock value within the companies in which they invest.

Learn more about Gatemore here.

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Investment Empowers Next Stage of Growth and Innovation for Global Leader in Tech Protection and Support

DALLAS, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Likewize, a leading global provider of tech protection and support, today announced that its existing investor, Genstar Capital (“Genstar”), has increased its investment in Likewize following its initial investment in March 2023. This significant investment makes Genstar the majority investor in Likewize and strengthens their commitment to fueling Likewize’s continued growth and mission to make every tech problem painless. Management and Brightstar Capital Partners (“Brightstar”) will remain minority investors in Likewize, ensuring continued leadership in driving the company forward.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Dallas, TX, Likewize’s innovative approach is trusted by many of the world’s biggest brands, including telecommunications companies, financial institutions and retailers, to protect millions of customers from tech-related issues. The company handles over 250 million device issues annually, from warranty and repairs to upgrades and premium technical support.

Rod Millar, CEO of Likewize, commented, “Over the last five years, we’ve transformed into a global leader in tech protection and support. Genstar’s increased investment underscores their confidence in our vision and potential. With this deeper partnership, we can continue to push the boundaries of innovation and ensure our platform remains the industry leader. We are excited to expand our capabilities and feel well-positioned to capitalize on the vast market opportunities in the rapidly growing tech protection and support sectors.”

Since Genstar’s initial investment, Likewize has built significant momentum, growing its core business by more than 30%. Over the past 12 months, Likewize has added major partnerships with some of the world’s largest telecommunications carriers, retailers, and financial institutions and has expanded its footprint across Europe, enhancing its capabilities and market presence.

Ryan Clark, President and Managing Partner at Genstar, said, “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Rod and the entire Likewize team, as well as Brightstar, as we’ve witnessed firsthand the company’s exceptional growth over the first 19 months of Genstar’s investment. This enhanced commitment to Likewize comes at a pivotal moment, delivering the support and capital for Likewize to continue delivering exceptional customer value and achieve its full growth potential.”

Andrew Weinberg, Founder and CEO of Brightstar, said: “We are proud of Likewize’s growth and transformation during our ownership period and the company’s success in becoming a global leader in tech protection and support. We look forward to continuing to work with Genstar and the management team and remain confident in Likewize’s future prospects and market leadership in this dynamic industry.”

The increased strategic investment from Genstar will allow Likewize to focus on accelerating adoption of added value solutions such as AI-driven claims handling and expanded premium tech support, ensuring it maintains its reputation for the industry’s best customer experience, commercials and technology.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Likewize
When your tech goes wrong, Likewize makes it right. Likewize offers the most comprehensive protection against any technology disruption. Whether a device is lost, stolen, damaged, malfunctioning, in need of an upgrade, or is in need of general troubleshooting, Likewize provides the solution. Trusted by the world’s largest brands including, telecommunications companies, financial institutions and retailers. Likewize operates in over 30 countries, resolving 250 million problems each year across insurance, warranty, repairs, trade-ins, recycling, and premium tech support. For more information, please visit: www.likewize.com. 

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About Genstar Capital
Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high-quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Genstar currently has approximately $49 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, industrials, software, and healthcare industries.

About Brightstar Capital Partners
Brightstar Capital Partners is a middle market private equity firm focused on investing in industrial, manufacturing, and services businesses where Brightstar believes it can drive significant value with respect to the management, operations, and strategic direction of the business. Brightstar employs an operationally intensive “Us & Us” approach that leverages its extensive experience and relationship network to help companies reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.brightstarcp.com. 

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SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan proudly announce that Reenita Das, Partner and Senior Vice President of Healthcare & Life Sciences, will attend the highly anticipated AIMed 2024 Global Summit. The event, held from November 17 – 19, 2024, 2024, will bring together healthcare leaders and AI innovators from across the globe at Caribe Royale Orlando to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Reenita will serve as Co-Chair and Kickoff Speaker for the “AI and Its Impact on Women’s HealthTech” track on Monday, November 18. This track is an educational program organized by Dr. Anthony Chang, Reenita Das, and Harry P. Pappas, founder of the Women’s Health and Wellness Society, an educational and advocacy group for women. Pappas is also the founder of the Intelligent Health Association and has collaborated with Frost & Sullivan for over 15 years.

AIMed 2024 is the premier global event for artificial intelligence in healthcare, providing an ideal platform for industry experts like Reenita Das to share insights on leveraging AI to enhance healthcare systems and transform clinical workflows. Attendees will benefit from keynote speeches, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with top professionals worldwide.

“I’m thrilled to be part of AIMed 2024, where we will explore the critical role AI plays in addressing global healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes,” said Reenita Das. “This summit represents an opportunity for healthcare leaders to share their vision and collaborate on advancing the future of medicine.”

Frost & Sullivan’s strategic involvement in AIMed 2024 further highlights its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in healthcare. With a unique blend of AI and healthcare technology expertise, Reenita Das will contribute to impactful discussions on applying AI-driven solutions for real-world healthcare challenges.

Why This Partnership Matters: 

AIMed24 is committed to building long-term partnerships with key organizations that share its vision of improving healthcare through AI. Frost & Sullivan’s expertise in identifying growth opportunities and their forward-looking approach to industry trends makes them an ideal partner. Together, AIMed24 and Frost & Sullivan will deliver a unique, high-value experience for attendees, ensuring they leave equipped with actionable strategies and insights to drive AI innovation in healthcare.

About Frost & Sullivan

For over six decades, Frost & Sullivan has guided the world’s top companies toward transformational growth journeys that result in a stream of innovative growth opportunities. Frost’s Growth Pipeline as a Service (GPaaS) value proposition allows customers to maximize their economic potential, navigate emerging megatrends, and shape a future based on sustainable growth. Learn more.

About AIMed24

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AIMed24 is where AI and medicine’s brightest minds converge to shape the future of healthcare. Join us at the Caribe Royale Orlando from November 17-19 for groundbreaking keynotes, hands-on workshops, and exceptional networking opportunities with industry leaders. Founded by Dr. Anthony Chang, AIMed is a clinician-led community advancing AI in health. AIMed24 will showcase impactful smart healthcare solutions, facilitate connections with AI trailblazers, and engage with top institutions and innovators. Be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Learn more.

Media Contact:
María Briceño
[email protected]

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