Acquisition and SIPP approval

Mattioli Woods PLC 30 January 2006 Press Release 30 January 2006 Mattioli Woods plc ('Mattioli Woods' or 'the Group') Business Update Acquisition of Suffolk Life Trustee Company Limited Mattioli Woods (AIM: MTW), the specialist pensions consultancy, today announces the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Suffolk Life Trustee Company Limited ('SLT'), together with Suffolk Life Group plc's ('Suffolk Life') portfolio of administration services to small self-administered pension scheme ('SSAS') clients ('the SSAS business'). SLT and the SSAS business have been acquired from Suffolk Life for an initial cash consideration of £701,149 funded from the Group's existing cash resources. The acquisition agreement also provides for deferred consideration to be paid to Suffolk Life by way of an earn-out based on investment commissions earned by the Group during the three years from 27 January 2006. The SSAS business administers 170 active schemes with total funds under trusteeship of £103.6 million. SLT is pensioneer trustee to the schemes. This acquisition follows the successful integration into Mattioli Woods of the Geoffrey Bernstein portfolio acquired in June 2005, and both deals complement the Group's strong organic growth to date. Commenting on the deal, Bob Woods, Executive Chairman of Mattioli Woods said: ' This acquisition is in accordance with our stated strategy of using funds raised when the Group joined AIM in November to make acquisitions to consolidate our position within the pension consultancy market ahead of 'A-day'. HMRC Approval for new Self Invested Personal Pension Scheme The Group has also successfully secured HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) approval for a new Mattioli Woods Self Invested Personal Pension ('SIPP') scheme, which has been developed in conjunction with Bank of Scotland (part of the HBOS Group). This offering utilises Bank of Scotland's specialist, on-line pension fund banking facility to further strengthen Mattioli Wood's existing SIPP product range. The Bank of Scotland's technology is built upon a streamlined and efficient administrative platform for clients, underpinned by the ability to download scheme transactions on a daily basis. The SIPP market continues to grow at a rapid pace, which is set to accelerate in light of the forthcoming legislative changes effective from 6 April 2006, known as 'A-day'. The new Mattioli Woods SIPP will allow clients to take full advantage of the greater level of flexibility afforded by 'A-day' legislation, in relation both to planning opportunities and to transactions. Through its trust structure, the scheme facilitates the creation of multiple-member and 'family SIPP' arrangements which enable a client's pension assets to be protected and passed to their family upon death. Mattioli Woods has over 14 years' experience in the SSAS and SIPP markets and, following the acquisition of SLT and the SSAS business, now acts for over 1,300 SSAS and SIPP clients throughout the UK, with total funds under trusteeship in excess of £700 million. In relation to the new SIPP, Ian Mattioli, Chief Executive of Mattioli Woods said: 'We believe that the new, HMRC-approved SIPP not only gives our clients a greater level of choice as we approach 'A-day' but it also strengthens Mattioli Woods' leading position within this growing market.' Both initiatives are the result of close working relationships forged over recent years, with Suffolk Life and Bank of Scotland respectively. Woods concludes; 'The Board of Mattioli Woods is confident that our integrated growth strategy, founded on a combination of highly targeted acquisitions and innovative new products, is the most effective way to deliver the increasingly tailored solutions that our SSAS and SIPP clients demand.' - Ends - For further information: Mattioli Woods plc Bob Woods, Executive Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 116 240 8700 bob@mattioli-woods.com Ian Mattioli, Chief Executive ian@mattioli-woods.com Nathan Imlach, Finance Director nathan.imlach@mattioli-woods.com www.mattioli-woods.com Williams de Broe Plc Joanne Lake / Richard Lindley Tel: +44 (0) 113 243 1619 www.wdebroe.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Justin Heath / Katherine Murphy Tel: +44 (0) 113 203 1340 justin.heath@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to Editors Mattioli Woods plc was established in 1991 by Ian Mattioli and Bob Woods. The Group provides pensions consultancy and administration services primarily to owner-managers, senior executives and professionals. Mattioli Woods' key activities include complex pensions consultancy, the provision of self-invested personal pensions ('SIPP') and small self-administered pension schemes ('SSAS'), advice on related business affairs, including pension investment services and the facilitation and administration of syndicated property schemes. Its focus is at the higher end of the market where clients require bespoke service and specialist advice. Headquartered in Leicester and employing 76 staff including 12 pension consultants, Mattioli Woods has a strong network of intermediary contacts throughout the UK. The practice has grown rapidly over the last decade providing consultancy and pension trustee services. In 1995 the business developed its first bespoke SIPP, and has since developed five SIPP products in conjunction with other financial institutions. In the year ended 31 May 2005, Group turnover was £6.4 million with normalised operating profit of £1.9 million. Mattioli Woods joined AIM on 23 November 2005. Mattioli Woods will announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 November 2005 on 21 February 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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