Board Appointment

EVC Christows PLC
5 February 2001



EVC Christows' new Chief Executive, Alex Snow, announced today that Michael
Read, 58, former Deputy Chairman and founding director of Greig Middleton &
Company Ltd, is to join the Board of EVC Christows (EVC).  Mr Read will become
Head of Private Client Investment Management and an Executive Director and
Chairman of Christows Ltd with effect from February 5th.


Until recently Read was Chairman of the APCIMS (Association of Private Client
Investment Managers and Stockbrokers).  His new role at EVC will maximise more
than 20 years' industry experience, putting him at the head of the company's
Private Client Investment Management division.


Michael Read owns 49 per cent of Christows Asset Management Limited ('CAM'), a
newly formed company (subject to regulatory approval), the remainder of which
is owned by EVC Christows.  CAM has been specially created for the private
client investment management activities of EVC Christows, which will be
managed by Michael Read.  The Company has entered into a put and call
agreement with Michael Read pursuant to which, subject to the achievement of
demanding and aggressive performance criteria, Michael Read can require the
Company to acquire his holding in CAM at any time between 1 July 2004 and 30
June 2006, failing which EVC Christows can require him to sell his holding to
the Company on the same terms at any time in July 2006.


The price payable on exercise of such option, which is subject to a cap of £7
million, will be calculated by reference to CAM's profits, and will be
satisfied initially by the issue of up to 50 million new ordinary shares in
the Company with the balance, if any, payable in cash subject to a maximum of
£1.625 million.


By way of further consideration for the exercise of the put and call option
and continuing incentivisation an additional amount will be payable if in a
specified two year period the funds managed by CAM exceed certain prescribed
levels, the amount payable to be calculated on the basis of 1 per cent of such
excess, subject to a cap of £2 million.


Speaking of his new position, Mr Read said:


'The renaissance of the private investor is not a one-day wonder, he and she
are here to stay - and, as in America, will become an even greater influence
on stock markets in this country and in Europe.


'This is a time of healthy competition in our industry but with many
opportunities for soundly run, professional companies focussed on high quality
personal service to flourish.  This is my intention in this new role.'



Alex Snow, newly appointed Chief Executive, EVC Christows, said: 'We are
absolutely delighted to welcome Michael onto the Board.  He is one of just a
handful of individuals who have changed the face of private client
stockbroking in this country over the last 20 years.  In addition to his
wealth of experience and contacts, he exemplifies our stated commitment to
consistently build and strengthen EVC's investment management business over
the next few years.'


Michael Read will get his first chance to meet EVC Christows' private clients,
IFAs, staff and stakeholders at the company's forthcoming invitation event, '
Investment Themes 2001' on February 12th.


The following information is provided in accordance with AIM ruling 16.8(E):


Michael John Read, 58.  Current directorships: Cairnlife Limited; Association
of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers; The Bromborough Estate
Company Limited; Mitford Company Limited; The London & Northern Estates
Company Limited; REC Investment Company Limited.


Previous directorships: FSH Holdings Limited; Fishing & Sporting Holidays
Limited; Greig Middleton Financial Services Limited; Greig Middleton Holdings
Limited; Gerrard Limited; Greig Middleton Nominees Limited.


Platypus Oilfield Services Holdings Limited, a company of which Michael Read
was a director, went into insolvent liquidation on 18 February 1992. The
amount owing to creditors was £2,293,442.


Pursuant to the remaining clauses of AIM rule 16.8, there are no further
details to be disclosed.



- ENDS



EVC Christows contact:

Alex Snow:                               020 7444 1730

Jackie Donnelly:                      020 7444 1730

Email enquiries to:                   [e-mail]

www.evc-christows.com



Media contacts for further comment, interviews, photos:

Kit Watts, Direct Line:           020 7939 7414   Mobile: [phone]

Adrian Chitty, Direct Line:       020 7939 7415   Mobile: [phone]

VLP Switchboard:                  020 7403 7500

[e-mail]

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