Pre-close Trading Statement

Tribal Group PLC 19 April 2004 For embargo until 7.00am 19 April 2004 Tribal Group plc 19 April 2004 Tribal Group plc ('Tribal Group' or the 'group') Pre-close trading statement Tribal Group plc ('Tribal'), the leading UK consultancy and professional support services company, issues this statement to update shareholders on trading during the year, prior to entering its close period. The full results for the period ended 31 March 2004 will be announced on 22 June 2004. The board of Tribal Group expects results to be in line with expectations. Turnover for the year exceeded £180m, an increase of over 70% on the previous year. Cash generation was strong with operating profit to cash conversion in excess of 100%. Net debt at the year end was approximately £42 million. The group made good progress across all of its divisions. In particular, the parts of the business where we had experienced some softness in trading performed well in the last quarter. Mercury Health, the group's healthcare delivery business, is preferred bidder on a £190 million contract to design, build and manage a regional network of treatment centres in the south east of England, as part of the Government's Independent Sector Treatment Centre initiative. Commercial and contractual negotiations are now at an advanced stage and it is expected that contracts will be signed and funding arrangements finalised during the first quarter of the current financial year. As mentioned in the February trading update, the group has focused on, and made good progress regarding, its investment in developing its infrastructure; in further strengthening its central and divisional management; and in accelerating its integration programme. Looking ahead, the board remains confident in the group's prospects for 2005. A fuller statement will be made in the announcement of the group's preliminary results. The company will be holding an institutional briefing meeting on 20 April 2004. End For further information contact: Henry Pitman, Chief Executive, Tribal Group plc Tel: 01285 886020 Simon Lawton, Group Finance Director, Tribal Group plc Tel: 01285 886020 Editors' note: Tribal Group plc provides a range of consultancy and support services to the UK public sector. The group's core markets are in education; local government, housing and regeneration; health and social care; and central government. The group employs 1,800 staff in 60 locations in the UK. Tribal is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (TRB.L) with forecast revenues for 2005 of over £200 million. Links: Tribal Group plc website: www.tribalgroup.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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