4 August 2004, London - Close Brothers Corporate Finance's (CBCF) Debt Advisory Group has made a series of new hires and a senior promotion in order to reshape the Group to deal with the increased demand for its advice.

The new hires include an executive and a manager, both of whom have considerable experience in leveraged finance; advising private equity companies; and structured finance.

Daniel Morland, who has been with the Group since 1999, has been made a Managing Director a promotion that reflects his excellent track record and allows him to play a more active role in generating new business across Europe.

The European Debt Advisory Group has had a busy 2004. Two recent deals include: advising Paragon Healthcare, a supplier of high quality specialist residential care on raising £162 million of debt facilities; and advising Enterprise Inns, the UK's largest pub landlord, on raising committed debt facilities of £780 million.

Commenting on the announcement, Jonathan Trower, a Managing Director of the European Debt Advisory Group, said:

"We're excited by the continued expansion of our business. These new additions to the team allow us to progress to the next stage of development. We have a healthy pipeline of business and look forward to the second half of the year."

ENDS


For further information please contact:

Close Brothers Corporate Finance
Jonathan Trower 
020 7655 3124

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Alistair Kelly
020 7282 2920
Rebeca Denny
020 7282 2817

Notes to editors:

Close Brothers Corporate Finance (www.cbcf.com) operates as an autonomous and independent business unit within Close Brothers Group plc, the largest independently-listed UK investment bank. Headquartered in London, it operates internationally, employing more than 150 staff across Europe. Close Brothers Corporate Finance has a strong international reach through its offices in France, Germany, Spain and Italy and Close Associates, an affiliate network of independent corporate finance houses in all major financial centres across the globe.

Close Brothers offers independent corporate finance advice in three primary areas: Corporate Restructuring, Debt Advisory and mid-market Mergers and Acquisitions (up to 500 million).