The Development of the UK Alternative Investment Market: Its Growth and Governance Challenges

Abstract

The UK Alternative Investment Market (AIM) was launched in 1995 and has been a great success. In this chapter we examine the development of AIM and its attraction for both UK and overseas companies seeking a UK listing. We detail the structural characteristics of AIM examining the role played by the nominated advisor (NOMAD), and the corporate governance requirements for AIM companies. We highlight the distribution of companies on AIM from various overseas countries and from various industries. The key corporate governance disclosures drawn from annual reports pre and post AIM Rule 26 are discussed in mini-case studies based on four AIM companies, two being incorporated in the UK and two non-UK incorporated. We also contextualise AIM comparing it to other junior markets globally. Finally we have some concluding comments about AIM and its future development.