Acquisition

Berkeley Berry Birch PLC
24 January 2003

For immediate release
                                                          24 January 2003



 Berkeley Berry Birch plc acquires regional Independent Financial Adviser for a
                      maximum consideration of £1,528,875

 Acquisition of Professional Financial Solutions continues strategy of expanding
                       the group's distribution capacity


Berkeley Berry Birch plc (BBB) the financial services distribution group listed
on the London Stock Exchange today announces the acquisition of Professional
Financial Solutions (PFS) a regional independent financial adviser, for a
maximum consideration of £1,528,875 in cash and shares.

In total 17 financial advisers will join the Group, operating from Huddersfield
and Camberley. These advisers will continue to offer their well-established
client base a broad range of investment and financial planning advice.

The initial consideration payable is £456,875 of which £230,000 is payable in
cash; the balance to be satisfied by the allotment of 515,625 new ordinary
shares in the capital of BBB, credited as fully paid.  In addition, deferred
consideration of up to £480,000 may become payable if certain predetermined
levels of profitability are achieved over the next two financial years. Deferred
consideration may be settled in any combination of cash, loan notes and shares
at the discretion of BBB (subject to appropriate authorities.) The total maximum
consideration payable to the vendors of PFS is therefore £936,875. Further
consideration, totalling £592,000 will be payable by BBB to the vendors of SLP
Financial Services (SLP) and MVA Associates (MVA) two smaller independent
financial advisory companies which have been acquired by PFS.

Commenting on the acquisition, Clifford P. Lockyer, Group Chief Executive of BBB
said:

'The acquisition of PFS demonstrates our strategy of capitalising on the
structural changes currently affecting regional and national IFA firms. This
acquisition reflects BBB's role of being a major industry consolidator and
enabling IFA firms to realise their corporate value by becoming part of the UK's
premier financial services group.

We expect the acquisition of PFS to be earnings enhancing to the group in the
current financial year.'

Applications to the UKLA and to the London Stock Exchange have been made for
these new ordinary consideration shares to be admitted to the official list of
the UK Listing Authority and to be admitted to trading on the Official List of
the London Stock Exchange. The acquisition is conditional upon these admissions
becoming effective. Dealings in the new ordinary shares are expected to commence
today, Friday 24th January 2003.

ENDS



Notes to Editors

Berkeley Berry Birch plc

•  National Financial Services Distribution Group

•  Top Five Independent Financial Advice (IFA) Group in the UK

•  Formed by the merger of Berkeley and Berry Birch & Noble plc in January 2002

•  Listed on the London Stock Exchange, with blue chip institutional
   investor base

•  Completed £20 million capital raising in October 2002 to implement
   acquisition strategy

•  Over 700 financial advisers producing an annual turnover in excess of
   £55 million.

•  Multi distribution structure which includes financial planning,
   employee benefits, trustee services, network services & insurance broking.



For further information please contact:

Berkeley Berry Birch plc
Craig Butcher, Group Financial Director                  Tel: [phone]
Stephen Ingledew, Group Deputy Chief Executive           Tel: [phone]

Grandfield
Matthew Jervois                                          Tel: [phone]
Olly Scott



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange