In In our AIM Stock Exchange London jobs section, you can find all the newest junior stock market jobs posted by recruiters and investment firms in London and in the U.K. They will be perfect if you already have (or to get yourself) some work experience with Exchange companies and the stock market.
Many people interested in the sector, still ask us basic FAQs, like for example “What is an aim listed company?”
AIM (formerly the Alternative Investment Market) is the London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller growing companies. A wide range of businesses including early stage, venture capital backed as well as more established companies joins AIM seeking access to growth capital.
In the 20 years since AIM’s launch in 1995, it has established itself as the leading market specifically designed to help growing companies access capital from the
public market. Today AIM includes companies operating in more than 100 countries, 40 different sectors and with a combined market capitalisation of over £70 billion.
Once a company has made the decision to seek a quotation on AIM, the first step is to identify and appoint a Nomad who will help the company come to market. Nomads have a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of companies seeking admission to AIM, and are highly experienced in guiding them through the flotation process.
Other advisers are also integral in supporting a company through the admission process. Such advisers usually include a broker, law firm, accountants, public relations and investor relations firms. Following the appointment of advisers, the company will need to prepare an admission document that includes details about its directors, financial position, business activities and strategy. This is prepared in close consultation with the Nomad.
The decision to seek the funding from public markets is an important step in the growth journey of a company.
When considering taking this step, management teams should consider the following key benefits of an admission to a public market:
- access to capital for growth and further development at the time of admission and through further capital offerings
- opportunity for early-stage investors to realise some of their initial investment and help to broaden the shareholder base
- an objective market value of the company’s business
- mechanism to encourage employees’ commitment and incentivise their long-term motivation and performance through more attractive share schemes
- increased ability to make acquisitions by using quoted shares as currency
- heightened public profile of the company, stemming from increased press coverage and analysts’ reports, and
- enhanced company status with customers and suppliers.
As companies grow, the initial external capital usually provided by friends and family, and angel investors, is often not sufficient to sustain their capital requirements; yet these companies are not necessarily ready for a traditional listing.
AIM, therefore, plays a vital role in the funding environment by bridging this gap for growing companies as they seek to develop their business through the use of external finance from capital markets.
In addition to providing companies with access to capital, London Stock Exchange is committed to supporting the growth of companies through ELITE, a community and platform that supports growing companies by providing access to the right resources and capital to scale up and achieve their aspirations
What is an AIM listed company? AIM is a dedicated growth market for small and medium-sized companies, established in June 1995 as part of London Stock Exchange.
From humble beginnings with only 10 companies that had a total market capitalisation of £82 million, AIM is now well-established as the leading growth market for small and medium-sized companies from across the globe looking to raise capital.
By the end of 2014, over 3,500 companies had used AIM to raise more than £90 billion in funds to help them continue their exciting growth journeys.
AIM’s regulatory structure, tailored to the needs of growing companies, allows businesses to cost-effectively raise capital at admission and throughout their life on AIM.
Over 50% of all funds raised on AIM has been raised by companies already admitted to the market.
This underlines AIM’s credentials as a source of repeat financing for businesses from a pool of investors that acutely understand the needs and development trajectory of growth companies.
AIM is also a geographically- and sector-diverse market, with companies operating in over 100 countries, representing 40 different sectors ranging from financial
services firms to healthcare and technology companies.
The Complete Guide to AIM can be found here, here is the Admission timetable and these are AIM Rules for Companies.