Disposal

Guinness Peat Group PLC
21 July 2005



                            GUINNESS PEAT GROUP plc

               ("GPG") DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN STAVELEY UK BUSINESSES

GPG announces that in two separate transactions it has sold the M&E Contracting
and Facilities Maintenance Services businesses of Staveley in the UK.

The combined cash proceeds received at completion total £18.0m.  In addition,
deferred consideration of £1.5m is receivable.  At completion the combined net
liabilities of the businesses sold were £7.5m.

In the year ended 31 December 2004 these businesses contributed an operating
profit (before allocation of Staveley 2004 Head Office costs of £2.3m), of £4.5m
to GPG group profit before tax and sales were £211.8m.  Net operating
liabilities were £13.3m at 31 December 2004.

GPG continues to own Hall and Kay, the Staveley fire protection business, in
respect of which it is in exclusive discussions with a prospective purchaser.

GPG is a strategic investment company.  The sales proceeds are in the form of
cash and this will be utilised in GPG's ongoing business.


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