エーオンがアイルランド規制要件に従い発表

AsiaNet 77720 （0371）

【ロンドン2019年3月6日PR Newswire＝共同通信JBN】エーオン（Aon plc、www.aon.com ）（NYSE: AON）（以下「同社」）はWillis Towers Watsonに関する最近のメディアの憶測に言及する。

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同社はWillis Towers Watsonとの完全企業統合を検討する初期段階にあることを確認する。現段階では、その可能性の評価は予備段階であり、取引があるかどうか、進めるかもしれない取引の形態や条件については何も確実ではないことを強調する。

これ以上はいずれ必要に応じて発表する。

アイルランドの企業買収規則Rule 2.4に従い、エーオンはこの発表で述べた対価の形態、対価の構成を変更する権利を留保する。

▽エーオンについて

エーオン（Aon plc、www.aon.com ）（NYSE: AON）は、幅広いリスク、退職および健康ソリューションを提供する世界有数の専門サービス企業である。120カ国の5万人の同僚が、独自のデータと分析機能を使って、変動を抑制し、成果を向上させるための識見を提供することにより、顧客が結果を出すことを可能にしている。

▽追加情報

この文書は情報提供目的だけのために提供され、いかなる証券の販売または申し込みの勧誘、あるいは購入または交換、あるいはいかなる法域でのいかなる投票または承認の要請でもない、またこの文書で言及した証券の、いかなる法域でも適用される法に違反したいかなる販売、発行、交換、譲渡もない。将来の展開によって、エーオンは合併に関連して証券取引委員会（SEC）に登録届け出書と（または）委任状を提出するかもしれない。Willis Towers Watsonと（または）エーオンの株式の保有者は、合併に関連したエーオンによるこれらのSEC提出文書といかなる他の提出文書も重要情報を含むので読んでほしい。これらの文書が提出されれば、その際はSECに提出されたエーオンの他の公式文書も含め、SECのウェブサイトwww.sec.gov とエーオンのウェブサイトir.aon.com で無料で入手できる。

この発表は英国とアイルランドの法、アイルランドの企業買収規則Rule 2.4に従って用意されており、明らかにされた情報は英国とアイルランド以外の法域の法に従って用意されたものと同じではないかもしれない。同社は、この時点では取引の可能性の評価は予備的段階であり、いかなる提案が行われるか、あるいはいかなる提案がなされるとしてもその形態や条件に関しては、何も確実ではないことを強調する。この発表は1997年アイルランド買収委員会法の2013年買収規則Rule 2.5に基づいて提案する確定意思の発表ではなく、提案がなされる確実性はない。

▽投資家問い合わせ先

Investor Relations

+1 312-381-3310

investor.relations@aon.com

この発表のコピーはwww.aon.com で入手できる。この発表で言及されたウェブサイトの内容はこの発表に組み込まれておらず、その一部をなすものではない。

この発表は、この発表またはその他に準じるかどうかにかかわらず、いかなる証券の購入、さもなければ取得、申し込み、販売、または譲渡のいかなる提案、勧誘あるいは提案の要請も意図し、またはその一部をなすものでもない。アイルランドまたは英国以外の法域でのこの発表の配布は法で規制されるかもしれず、よってこの発表を入手する人はそのような規制について報告し、順守するべきである。規制を順守しないことは、そのような法域の証券法違反をなすかもしれない。

▽責任声明

エーオンの取締役はこの発表に含まれる情報に責任を負う。取締役（このような場合に十分注意を払ってきた）が知り、信じる限り、この発表に含まれる情報は事実に従い、このような情報の意味に影響しそうないかなるものも省略していない。

▽アイルランド買収規則の要件

エーオンまたはWillis Towers Watson plcの1%かそれ以上のいかなる種類の関連証券でも持ち株がある人（アイルランド買収規則に従い）は、この発表の日付からアイルランド買収規則Rule 8.3により開示義務があるかもしれない。このような情報開示は、関係取引の日付の翌営業日に、エーオンとWillis Towers Watson plcの関連証券に関して午後3時半（ニューヨーク時間）までに公開されなければならない。この要件は提案期間が終わるまで続く。2人かそれ以上の人物が明示か暗黙、口頭か書面かにかかわらず、エーオンかWillis Towers Watson plcどちらかの関連証券の持ち株取得に合意に基づいて協力する場合は、彼らはアイルランド買収規則Rule 8.3の目的上では単一の人物と見なされる。アイルランド買収規則Rule 8.1により、エーオンによるWillis Towers Watson plcの関連証券の、またはWillis Towers Watson plcによるエーオンの関連証券の、あるいはどちらかと共同行動する当事者によるものでも、すべての取引は関連取引の日付の翌営業日に、エーオンとWillis Towers Watson plcの両方の関連証券に関して正午（ニューヨーク時間）までに公開されなければならない。要約すれば、条件付きでも無条件でも、証券の価格変動に長期の経済的影響を受けるとき、証券の利権が発生する。とりわけ、証券の所有権または支配権により、あるいは証券に関するオプション、または関連する派生物による利害関係を持つとして扱われる。この段落で使われた用語は、アイルランド買収規則のこれらの用語に与えられた意味で読むべきである。もしRule 8により開示が義務付けられているかどうか疑問があれば、アイルランド買収委員会（Irish Takeover Panel）のウェブサイトwww.irishtakeoverpanel.ie を参照、またはアイルランド買収委員会に電話+353 1 678 9020で連絡されたい。

ソース： Aon plc

Aon announcement made under Irish regulatory requirements

PR77720

LONDON, March 6, 2019 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Aon plc ( www.aon.com ) (NYSE: AON) (the "Company") notes the recent media

speculation regarding Willis Towers Watson.

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The Company confirms that it is in the early stages of considering an all-share

business combination with Willis Towers Watson. The Company emphasizes that, at

this point, its evaluation of a potential transaction is at a preliminary stage

and there can be no certainty that any transaction will take place nor as to

the form or terms on which any transaction might be pursued.

A further announcement will be made in due course, as appropriate.

In accordance with Rule 2.4 of the Irish Takeover Rules, Aon reserves the right

to vary the form and/or mix of consideration described in this announcement.

About Aon

Aon plc ( www.aon.com ) (NYSE:AON) is a leading global professional services

firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. Our

50,000 colleagues in 120 countries empower results for clients by using

proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and

improve performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward looking, as that term

is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These

forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as

assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When

used in this press release, the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate,"

"expect," "intend," "project," "plans," and similar expressions and the use of

future dates are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although

management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking

statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations

will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements involve risks

and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from

those predicted in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include,

but are not limited to, the possibility that a transaction will not be pursued

and/or an offer will not be made, failure to obtain necessary shareholder or

regulatory approvals or required financing or to satisfy any of the other

conditions to a potential transaction, adverse effects on the market price of

our Class A ordinary shares and on our operating results for any reason,

including, without limitation, because of a failure to complete a transaction,

failure to realize the expected benefits of a transaction, negative effects of

an announcement or consummation or failure to consummate a transaction on the

market price of our Class A ordinary shares, significant transaction costs

and/or unknown liabilities and general economic and business conditions that

affect the combined companies following any transaction. You are cautioned not

to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as

of the date made. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties,

and assumptions.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate, and

there are no guarantees about Aon's performance.  The factors identified above

are not exhaustive.  Aon and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business

environment in which new risks may emerge frequently.  Further information

concerning Aon and its businesses, including factors that potentially could

materially affect Aon's financial results, is contained in Aon's filings with

the SEC. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,

2018 and additional documents filed with the SEC for a further discussion of

these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Aon's businesses. These

factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports.  Aon is under no

obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any

forward-looking statement that it may make from time to time, whether as a

result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional Information

This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not

constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation to subscribe for or purchase or

purchase or exchange, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or

approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance, exchange

or transfer of the securities referred to in this document in any jurisdiction

in contravention of applicable law. Subject to future developments, Aon may

file a registration statement and/or a proxy statement with the SEC in

connection with a combination. Holders of Willis Towers Watson and/or Aon

shares should read those filings, and any other filings made by Aon with the

SEC in connection with the combination, as they will contain important

information. Those documents, if and when filed, as well as Aon's other public

filings with the SEC may be obtained without charge at the SEC's website at

www.sec.gov and at Aon's website at ir.aon.com.

This announcement has been prepared in accordance with English and Irish law

and Rule 2.4 of the Irish Takeover Rules and information disclosed may not be

the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of

jurisdictions outside England or Ireland.  The Company emphasizes that, at this

point, the evaluation of a potential transaction is at a preliminary stage and

there can be no certainty that any offer will take place nor as to the form or

terms on which any offer might be made. This announcement is not an

announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Irish

Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules 2013 and there can be no certainty

that an offer will be made.

Contacts

Investor Contact:

Investor Relations

+1 312-381-3310

investor.relations@aon.com

A copy of this announcement will be available at www.aon.com. The content of

the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into, and does

not form part of, this announcement.

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of

any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise

acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether

pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. The distribution of this

announcement in jurisdictions outside Ireland or the United Kingdom may be

restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement

comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any

failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the

securities law of any such jurisdiction.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The directors of Aon plc accept responsibility for the information contained in

this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors

(who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the

information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and

does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE IRISH TAKEOVER RULES

A person interested in (as defined in the Irish Takeover Rules) 1% or more of

any class of relevant securities of Aon plc or Willis Towers Watson plc may

have disclosure obligations under Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules,

effective from the date of this announcement. Such disclosures should be

publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (New York time) in respect of the

relevant securities of both Aon plc and Willis Towers Watson plc on the

business day following the date of the relevant transaction. The requirement

will continue until the offer period ends. If two or more persons co-operate on

the basis of any agreement, either express or tacit, either oral or written, to

acquire an interest in relevant securities of either Aon plc or Willis Towers

Watson plc, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purposes of Rule

8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules.  Under Rule 8.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules,

all dealings in relevant securities of Willis Towers Watson plc by Aon plc, or

relevant securities of Aon plc by Willis Towers Watson plc, or by any party

acting in concert with either of them must also be disclosed by no later than

12 noon (New York time) in respect of the relevant securities of both Aon plc

and Willis Towers Watson plc on the business day following the date of the

relevant transaction. Interests in securities arise, in summary, when a person

has a long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in

the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an

interest by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of

any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms used

in this paragraph should be read in light of the meanings given to those terms

in the Irish Takeover Rules. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you

are required to disclose dealings under Rule 8, please consult with the Irish

Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish

Takeover Panel by telephone on +353 1 678 9020.

SOURCE: Aon plc