CLOSE BROTHERS ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR

Close Brothers, the specialist merchant banking group, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Howell as Finance Director. He will also join the main Board of Close Brothers. It is expected he will take up his post in early February 2008.

Jonathan Howell is a qualified chartered accountant and has worked at the London Stock Exchange since 1996. In 1998 he became Head of Regulation and in 1999 he was appointed to the main board as Finance Director.