Acquisition

Montpellier Group PLC 10 May 2002 Montpellier Group plc Montpellier announces that it has agreed to acquire a total of 7,511,537 ordinary shares of 1p each in Walker Greenbank plc from Peter Gyllenhammar and companies controlled by him. Together with the 189,677 shares in Walker Greenbank already owned by Montpellier, the Acquisition will increase Montpellier's holding to a total of 7,701,214 shares, representing approximately 13.05 per cent. of the entire issued share capital of Walker Greenbank. Walker Greenbank plc is an international group of companies which designs, manufactures, markets and distribute wallcoverings, furnishing fabrics and luxury carpets for the consumer market. The shares will be acquired at a price of 16.5 pence per share which is the average price Mr Gyllenhammar paid, representing a total consideration of approximately £1,240,000, payable in cash on completion. The average closing market price of these shares over the last 7 days has been 20.21 pence per share. The shares are subject to a put option exercisable until 31 May 2002 in favour of Montpellier to sell the shares back to Mr Gyllenhammar at the same price if for any reason Montpellier decides in that period that it does not wish to retain ownership of the shares. As Mr Gyllenhammar is a director and deputy chairman of Montpellier, the proposed acquisition has unanimously been approved by the other directors of Montpellier, having consulted with Rowan Dartington, Montpellier's nominated adviser, who consider it to be fair and reasonable in so far as the shareholders as a whole are concerned. The transaction is a continuation of Montpellier's strategy of diversifying its business and asset base following the acquisition by Montpellier of the principal assets of Union, details of which were contained in a circular to shareholders dated 4 March 2002. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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