Albemarle & Bond Holdings plc comprises a portfolio of the UK’s leading pawnbroking, financial services and jewellery brands. Founded in Bristol in 1983 with a single shop, the company is now based in Reading and was admitted to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 1995 (TICKER: ‘ABM’). EZCorp, the second largest pawnbroker in the US and the company’s largest shareholder has been a supportive long term investor since 1998. In 2007 the Group grew with the purchase of Herbert Brown who were established in Leeds in 1840. The Group has grown to be one of the largest operators in the country with 200 stores and over 850 employees. Operating under the two well known brands, Albemarle Bond and Herbert Brown, we provide our customers with a wide range of services including jewellery retailing, pawnbroking loans, gold purchasing and a range of unsecured loan products. The business has grown substantially both organically and through acquisition Reflecting the increased demand for the services we provide, particularly as high street banks have reduced lending levels and it has therefore become harder for individuals and small businesses to access loans. As a consequence more customers are experiencing the ease and simplicity of accessing short term, flexible loans via our stores.