The Companies House update that has Newcastle United fans talking Saudi takeover

Twists, turns, positives, red flags, rejection, non-decision – this year has had it all when assessing the proposed takeover deal put forward by Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and Middle Eastern money men, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

While the £300 million-plus deal is working its way through a variety of legal channels courtesy of Mike Ashley and the Newcastle United fans – via Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited – a handful of Companies House updates has got the Magpies fanbase talking.

On Wednesday FIVE updates were posted to the company filing for UKSA INTERNATIONAL LTD, of which the only director, until this week, was reported Newcastle United chairman-in-waiting Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

The five updates show UKSA International making a number of moves, some of which were jumped upon by Newcastle United fans looking for any semblance of positivity on the takeover front.

The new postings show that the company’s current accounting period was extended from July 31, 2020 to December 31, 2020 as well as a change of address from 5th Floor, 6 St. Andrew Street, London to 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street. Another posting confirms Al-Rumayyan’s address detail change to coincide with the HQ switch and another confirms every one of the five changes in a ‘confirmation statement’.

The one that interests the most is the one that confirms the appointment of TMF Corporate Administration Services Limited as a secretary of UKSA International Ltd, as of November 9, 2020.

The Gazette understands this company is a Special Purchase Vehicle for PIF, with the Saudis owning the only share in the company, as per the Companies House documents. But what is impossible to say is whether this is connected in any way, shape or form to developments on the Newcastle United takeover front.

According to TMF Group website, they provide the following services: “TMF Group is the leading provider of critical compliance and administrative services. We serve corporations, fund managers, financial institutions and private clients operating, expanding and investing in multiple jurisdictions. We work hand in hand with global advisors and lawyers, supporting their clients with dedicated local expertise covering 80-plus jurisdictions from 120 wholly-owned offices. We administer funds and intricate transactions requiring fail-safe international expertise. We set complex, cross-border carve-outs on firm foundations, ready to trade on day one of operations. We help launch, run and consolidate overseas subsidiaries.”