The board of Close Brothers Group plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Carnegie-Brown as an independent non-executive director of the company with effect from 22nd June, 2006.

Bruce Carnegie-Brown (aged 46) was until recently head of Marsh Limited, part of the world’s leading risk and insurance services firm which he joined three years ago.  Prior to that he was head of debt capital markets in Europe and Asia for JP Morgan Chase where he had worked since 1985.  He began his career as an investment banker with Bank of America in 1981.

He is president of the Institute of Financial Services.

There are no further details in relation to Bruce Carnegie-Brown which require disclosure pursuant to paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority.

Further Enquiries:
Colin Keogh, Chief Executive
Close Brothers Group plc
020 7426 4000