Acquisition

Investec PLC
06 April 2006


Investec Limited                               Investec plc
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa   Incorporated in England and Wales
Registration number 1925/002833/06             Registration number 3633621
JSE share code: INL                            JSE share code: INP
ISIN: ZAE000040531                             ISIN: GB0031773103

                     ('Investec' or 'the group')

Investec plc announcement with respect to Investec Bank (Australia) Limited, a
wholly owned subsidiary

Investec Bank (Australia) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investec plc,
has conditionally agreed to acquire N.M. Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited.

The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval and final due diligence,
will add critical mass and scale to Investec's existing Australian platform and
at the same time add to its capability to originate new business.

The transaction amounts to less than 5% of the Investec group's combined market
capitalisation. N.M. Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited has total assets of
approximately A$2.1 billion (GBP890 million) and is principally involved in
Property, Resources, Infrastructure, Commercial Finance, Acquisition Finance and
Treasury activities operating in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Investec Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Koseff, said the acquisition
reinforced the group's commitment to further expand into the Australian market
place.

'Through this acquisition, Investec in Australia adds depth to current expertise
across all business units as well as benefits from new opportunities for us to
deliver tailor-made solutions to clients', he said.

Investec Managing Director, Bernard Kantor, said the acquisition is a natural
extension to Investec's growth strategy.

'This proposed acquisition will substantially increase our revenue and loan
portfolio as well as complement and strengthen established core competencies in
Sydney and Melbourne with the opportunity to create a firm foothold in Western
Australia.'

'The acquisition will enhance our capability to achieve our growth plans as well
as increasing the number of selected clients with whom we are able to partner,
and form new lasting and meaningful relationships', he said.


London/Johannesburg
6 April 2006


For further information please contact:
Investec Investor Relations
Ursula Nobrega (Munitich)
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]

UK: Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sara Batchelor or Ged Brumby
[phone]

SA: Beachhead Media
Jennifer Cohen
[phone]

About Investec

Investec is an international specialist banking group that provides a diverse
range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three
principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia as well as
certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has
approximately 4 400 employees.

Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients
in five core areas of activity namely, Private Client Activities, Treasury and
Specialised Finance, Investment Banking, Asset Management and Property
Activities.

In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure with
listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. Management and staff
own approximately 16% of the equity share capital of the group. The combined
group's current market capitalisation is approximately GBP3.5 billion.

At 30 September 2005, total shareholders' equity was GBP1 389 million, third
party assets under management were GBP46 billion and total assets were GBP20
billion (including loans and advances of GBP7.9 billion).

At 30 September 2005, Investec Bank (Australia) Limited had total assets of 
GBP609 million and posted a post tax operating profit for the six-month 
period of GBP5.8 million.

In Australia Investec comprises the following core business units:

• Corporate Advisory: boutique advisor with added ability to leverage
  the bank's structuring, financing and network capabilities;

• Property Investment Banking; advisor and equity and debt provider to
  commercial projects;

• Specialised Finance: advisor and equity and debt provider to the
  specialist Clean and Alternative Energies and Resources sectors;

• Private Equity: investor in and partner to well established successful
  businesses;

• Private Advisers: Australia's leading boutique wealth advisory and
  investment management providers;

• Growth and Acquisition Finance: investor and lender to medium to large
  family businesses and enterprises; and

• Treasury: servicing the cash management requirements of institutional
  and private client networks.


6 April 2006






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange