Case based Theory question

VENT plc (ADVENT) is a large, UK-based company which offers adventure travel and related services. ADVENT has a 31 December year-end and prepares its financial statements under UK-adopted IFRS. So far, it has been operating from its offices in the UK assisting UK customers in planning and organizing adventure trips to destinations all over the world. In the future, it intends to expand its operations internationally, i.e., to set up offices in other countries and to start serving non-UK customers. On 1 January 2022, to finance this expansion, the CEO of ADVENT succeeded in taking out a loan with a large UK bank, which has a reputation for building and maintaining long-term relationships with its clients. The loan makes up a significant amount of total assets and has a maturity of 15 years. The terms of the loan are as follows: o The loan principal is 25 million. o Arrangement fees were 250,000. o Interest is payable at 3% pa of the principal amount of the loan for the first 5 years rising to 5% pa for the remainder of the loan term. o The interest is payable annually in arrears on 1 January. o The loan will be repaid in full after 15 years. In addition, the CEO wants to list ADVENTs shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), in the Standard Segment of the Main Market. The CEO expects the process of listing to be quick and hassle-free but has to obtain approval from ADVENTs existing shareholders before he can initiate it. If approval is obtained, he wants to initiate the listing in 2023. Existing shareholders comprise a group of 30 individuals with relatively low stakes each, as well as a blockholder with a stake of 55% and a seat on the board of directors as a non-executive director (a blockholder is an investor who owns a large stake). The blockholder invested in ADVENT shortly after the incorporation of the company and pursues long-term interests; he has no intention to sell his stake anytime soon. The group of 30 individuals, on the other hand, invested in ADVENT at various points in time without any long-term interests; they saw in ADVENT a profitable investment opportunity and are ready to sell their shares as soon as their return is sufficiently high. The CEO does not expect to obtain shareholder approval without difficulties since he needs 75% of the voting rights in support of his proposal. Yet, he hopes to be able to convince existing shareholders that a listing at the LSE will open up financing sources not just for the first stage of the expansion but also for potential further stages in later years. The CEO proposal refers to a stock exchange listing via the issuance of new shares through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Existing as well as future shareholders have one vote per share.

question 1 ,(900 words) The above case study hints at several relationships between principal(s) and/or agent(s) in which conflicts of interest can arise. Specify two of these relationships and, for each: i) identify the parties involved and assign them the role of principal(s) or agent(s); ii) explain the objectives and incentives each party has and the resulting conflict of interest; and iii) explain the information asymmetries between the parties involved that usually exist in practice.