John Laing Infrastructure Fund Limited (JLIF), the FTSE 250 listed infrastructure investment company, announces that it has entered into an agreement with Equitix to sell its entire 50% equity and sub-ordinated debt interest in the Newham Hospital PPP project and its entire 40% equity and sub-ordinated debt interest in the Barnsley BSF project, for a combined consideration of £43.3 million (US$63.6 million). 

The decision to divest was taken following the recent sale of holdings in both projects to Equitix by a co-shareholder. Both co-shareholder disposals were undertaken by way of a competitive tender process and provided potential realisation values for JLIF's interest in each project. The Board considered the valuations to be significantly ahead of the value that could be achieved for JLIF shareholders either by acquiring the interests being sold by the co-shareholder, or by retaining JLIF's interest.

The aggregate gross sale proceeds of £43.3 million represent an uplift on the carrying value of the investments at 31 March 2016 of approximately 36% and result in an aggregate realised IRR from the investments of approximately 16%. The disposals have completed and £16.9 million of the proceeds will be used to repay amounts currently drawn under the revolving credit facility with the balance used to part fund the impending completion of recently announced acquisitions. The Board will continue to consider and evaluate potential disposals which are in the best interest of shareholders.

In October 2013 we reported that John Laing Infrastructure Fund (JLIF), closed the largest raise of new equity since its launch. The company issued 218,291,103 new shares, at a price representing a 6.3% premium to JLIF's Net Asset Value, raising £242.3 million (US$355 million).

The proceeds of the issue were used to repay debt drawn and to acquire a new portfolio of three PPP projects for £103 million (US$151 million). The three projects acquired from the John Laing Group included:

• i) A 75%1 shareholding in North Staffordshire Hospital, England
• ii) A 40% shareholding in Barnsley BSF, England; and
• iii) A 50% shareholding in Kelowna and Vernon Hospital, Canada.

Andrew Charlesworth from John Laing Capital Management ("JLCM"), Investment Adviser to JLIF, said:

"Following receipt of very attractive offers for both stakes, the Board concluded that it was in the best interests of JLIF shareholders to sell its holdings. This decision was reinforced by the strong pipeline of investment opportunities available to JLIF at present and its confidence of being able to re-invest and re-deploy this capital more effectively and at better value for our shareholders."