The former owner of Everton has exited a listed company that he founded in a deal which involves the sale of an estimated £33m of shares.

Peter Johnson founded Park Group in the 1960s and is currently non-executive chairman. The businessman, who was Everton chairman between 1993 and 1998 before selling his 68 per cent stake in the club to theatre impresario Bill Kenwright for £20m in December 1999, sold his interest in the Wirral-headquartered voucher and gift card company on Tuesday, 22 December 2015.

It is thought that the placing raised about £32.6m.

The 1989 Peter Johnson Settlement Trust and Huntress Nominees, through which Peter Johnson has a beneficial interest, and the Johnson Foundation, through which Peter Johnson is a trustee and has a non-beneficial interest, collectively sold 50.2 million shares at 65p per share in Park Group. The placing shares represent approximately 27.3 per cent of the company’s entire shareholding.

The placing was conducted by means of an accelerated book-build to institutional investors. Peel Hunt acted as sole bookrunner while Arden Partners served as lead manager in relation to the placing.

Park Group’s brands include Love2shop and highstreetvouchers.com.

Pictured: Everton FC’s Goodison Park stadium.