Joint trading agreement in software and technology

Plextek's electronics design services include:FPGA design, ESCAN Radar, MMIC design, GPRS design, Communications product design, Microwave design Defence electronics, Electronic product design, RF design, DSP design, Telemetry system, System Integration,Communications system design, Due diligence

Press Release

Joint trading agreement in Software and Technology

Cambridge, 21 October 2005: Corbett Keeling, the corporate finance advisory firm, and Plextek, the Cambridge based electronics design consultancy, are pleased to announce they have entered into a joint trading agreement to advise on corporate finance transactions in the software and technology sectors. The two companies have had a professional relationship since 1997. Graham Maile, director of strategic consulting at Plextek, has become an associate of Corbett Keeling.

Under the joint trading agreement, the two firms will carry out regulated corporate finance activities including advising on:

· Fund raisings, for example, in relation to buy-outs, buy-ins and projects requiring development or buy-and-build capital
· Sector based due diligence and related bid support work
· Sales of businesses
· Transactions governed by the Takeover Code.

Corbett Keeling, started in 1993, focuses on transactions where funds raised for clients, or the value of assets bought or sold, are up to £150 million; a significant proportion of its clients are or have been businesses in technology development or software. This is now one of five sectors covered by Corbett Keeling in which the firm offers the benefit of specialised expertise to its clients.

Plextek is situated ten miles south of Cambridge and is one of the largest independent electronics design consultancies in Europe. It was established in 1989 and now has close to 100 staff. Plextek specialises in product and systems design for communications, aerospace, defence, automotive and medical applications. A number of venture capital organisations and investment banks regularly use Plextek to evaluate technologies and companies prior to making an investment. Plextek has also assisted corporate investors during M&A activities.

Commenting, Simon Keeling said, "This builds significantly on Corbett Keeling's existing experience in the technology sector. We will now be able to operate in that sector in the same way as we have been doing successfully in our four other areas of specialisation: health/pharma, insurance/financial services, engineering/industrial and property. We find that owners of businesses, particularly in the private equity community, very much like the combination of sector and corporate finance expertise."

Commenting, Graham Maile said, "The joint trading agreement broadens an already strong offering from Plextek. Adding a corporate finance capability to our existing services, particularly in the area of due diligence reviews and related bid support work, will bring benefits to our clients. We believe there is a gap in the market for high quality, professional delivery of the combined product and we are already seeing demand from prospective clients."

Further information:
Johanna Hughes, Plextek Ltd, London Road, Great Chesterford, Essex CB10 1NY.
Tel: +44 (0)1799 533200. Fax: +44 (0)1799 533201. Email: jlh@plextek.co.uk
Website: www.plextek.com

Simon Keeling, Director of Corbett Keeling +44 (0)20 7626 6266

Press information:
Gerald Cross, EML, The Albany Boathouse, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, KT2 5BB.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8408 8000. Email: plextek@eml.com

Issued 21/10/2005