BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc Announces Updated Share Capital and Voting Rights as of July 23, 2026

Overview of BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust and Its Market Function

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc is an investment company managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, one of the world’s leading asset managers. Operating as a closed-ended investment trust, it maintains a fixed capital base while investing across Greater Europe. Such investment trusts provide investors with diversified exposure to regional equities and other securities within a regulatory framework set by the Financial Conduct Authority.

As a listed investment trust, the Company is subject to continuous disclosure obligations under FCA regulations to ensure transparency about its capital structure, voting rights, and shareholder interests. The notification issued on 23 July 2026 is a routine but vital disclosure that supports market integrity and protects shareholder interests by establishing a clear baseline for regulatory calculations.

Importance of the 90,328,001 Share Capital Denominator

This announcement confirms that shareholders should use 90,328,001 ordinary shares as the denominator for FCA Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules notifications. This figure represents the issued share capital excluding treasury shares, which do not carry voting rights and are therefore excluded from threshold calculations.

For investors holding or acquiring shares in BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust, this denominator is essential. Shareholders crossing notification thresholds—starting at 3% and then each additional 1%—must notify the Company and the FCA using this figure. Providing this precise denominator enables all market participants to accurately calculate their disclosure obligations and avoid regulatory breaches.

Details on Treasury Shares and Capital Structure

As of 23 July 2026, the Company holds 27,600,937 ordinary shares in treasury, representing about 23.4% of the total issued share capital. Treasury shares are repurchased shares held by the Company rather than cancelled, commonly used for capital management, share buybacks, or future financial flexibility.

Treasury shares are excluded from voting rights calculations as they carry no voting or dividend rights. By distinguishing between the 90,328,001 voting shares and 27,600,937 treasury shares, the Company clarifies its actual voting capital and provides transparency on its economic and voting structure. This ensures accurate shareholder register analysis and voting power assessments.

Compliance with FCA Transparency Rules and Regulatory Framework

The disclosure aligns with the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("Rules"), specifically provision 5.6.1 implementing Article 15 of the Transparency Directive. This framework mandates listed companies in the UK to regularly disclose their total shares and voting rights to maintain market transparency and prevent abuse.

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust’s update demonstrates compliance with these requirements and reflects the Company’s commitment to regulatory standards. The reference to Article 15 of the Transparency Directive highlights adherence to European financial services regulations maintained by the UK. This assures investors that the disclosed information is regulated and the Company operates within a robust legal and compliance environment safeguarding shareholder interests.

Impact on Substantial Shareholder Notifications and Disclosure Thresholds

Using 90,328,001 as the denominator directly affects how shareholders determine if they have crossed FCA notification thresholds. Under FCA rules, any shareholder acquiring 3% or more voting rights must notify the Company and FCA, with further notifications required at each additional 1% increment. This translates to approximately 2,709,840 shares for 3%, and about 903,280 shares for each subsequent 1%. These figures help shareholders monitor their holdings and comply with disclosure obligations.

This clarity reduces the risk of unintentional non-compliance. Institutional investors, fund managers, and other significant shareholders can accurately track thresholds and ensure timely notifications. The information also supports the wider investment community in analyzing shareholding patterns and verifying that disclosure requirements are met, promoting regulatory compliance and market transparency.

Company Secretary and Contact Information

For enquiries regarding voting rights and capital structure, Lucy Dina, Company Secretary at BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, is the designated contact. She can be reached at 0207 743 5324. Providing such contact details aligns with best practices among listed investment trusts, ensuring shareholders, market participants, and regulators have direct communication channels for governance and compliance matters.

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, serving as both Company Secretary and investment manager, is part of the globally recognized BlackRock group. Including management contact information in regulatory announcements reflects the professional administration of the trust. Shareholders with questions about disclosed figures or notification requirements can contact the Company directly, facilitating smooth register management and compliance.

Market Context for Greater European Investment Trusts

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust operates within the UK-listed investment trust sector focused on European equities. These trusts offer UK investors diversified exposure to Western and Central European markets through a closed-ended structure managed by professional fund managers. They play a key role in the UK investment landscape by providing access to European equities under stringent regulatory oversight.

Disclosure of voting rights and capital structure is particularly important for investment trust investors as these factors influence voting outcomes and shareholder engagement. Changes in share capital—through buybacks, issuances, or treasury shares—affect voting power dynamics. By maintaining transparent and current disclosures, BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust ensures shareholders understand their relative voting positions and can participate effectively in governance, supporting the sector’s proper functioning.

Routine Disclosure Practices Enhancing Investor Confidence

This announcement is part of the Company’s routine disclosure obligations, dated 23 July 2026, reflecting its position as of that date. Regular, accurate disclosures of voting rights and capital structure build investor confidence by demonstrating effective register management and capital control. Investors rely on these updates to understand the Company’s structure and calculate their regulatory responsibilities, fostering a transparent operating environment.

For long-term investors, such disclosures provide assurance of professional administration and regulatory compliance. Reporting changes to voting capital or treasury holdings signals active capital management in shareholders’ interests. This announcement contributes to the narrative of transparent governance typical of well-managed investment trusts, enabling investors to monitor capital structure changes and assess their impact on voting dynamics.