Debbie Bestwick MBE, a non-executive director of Everplay Group (AIM:EVPL), has sold 3.33 million existing shares in the video games group to a number of institutional investors.
The shares, priced at 423.50p each, represent approximately 2.3% of Everplay's issued ordinary share capital and were placed through Jefferies International, acting as sole global coordinator and bookrunner. Because the shares were sold by Bestwick rather than issued by the company, Everplay will not receive any proceeds from the transaction.
Bestwick will continue to hold a significant shareholding after the sale and remains "highly supportive" of the company's long-term strategy and growth prospects, according to the announcement, which cited sustained investor demand for Everplay shares as an opportunity to broaden the institutional shareholder base and enhance liquidity in the stock.
Bestwick will be subject to a 180-day lock-up period on her remaining holding, subject to customary exceptions.
The placing comes a day after Everplay told the market that trading since its half-year results had been "very strong", with the board now expecting full-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA to come in materially ahead of current market consensus.
That upgrade followed strong performances from two third-party releases: Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, which has sold more than a million copies across PC and console, and Wardogs, which has sold approximately 3 million copies in Steam Early Access, including more than a million on its first day alone.
Company-compiled consensus had already been lifted to 2026 revenue of £197.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of £57.2 million, up from the £175.3 million revenue and £50.7 million EBITDA consensus flagged at the half-year stage in July.
The board has said the fourth quarter includes a number of high-profile launches from major studios, and expects full-year results to exceed the latest market consensus.
Settlement of the placing is expected on 5 October.