Reclassification into Chemicals Sector

Ascot PLC
17 November 1999


Contacts:     Howard Dyer, Executive Chairman
              Martin Rogers, Finance Director
              Ascot Plc                                    0171 815 0805

              David Bick
              Holborn Public Relations                     0171 929 5599
                                              [e-mail]




                                  Ascot Plc

                   ASCOT RECLASSIFIED INTO CHEMICALS SECTOR


Following notification by the FTSE actuaries industry classification
committee, Ascot announces that its shares will be reclassified from the
engineering general sector to the chemicals speciality sector with effect from
22 November 1999.

In the half year to 30 June 1999, some 63% of turnover was derived from the
group's fine and speciality chemicals businesses and recently Ascot purchased
the 70% of ChiroTech that it did not already own.

The group intends to focus on the Chemicals sector in the future.