Trading Statement

Berkeley Berry Birch PLC
01 May 2003


For Immediate Release                                                 1 May 2003


                            Berkeley Berry Birch plc


                               Trading Statement


          Berkeley Berry Birch plc London Stock Exchange Announcement
                                        
                           Year End Trading Statement


Berkeley Berry Birch plc (BBB), the financial services distribution group,
announces a trading update, in respect of its first full financial year ended 31
March 2003, in advance of its preliminary results on 30 June 2003. BBB has made
significant progress over the last twelve months in establishing itself as one
of the UK's major financial services distribution groups.

Highlights for the Group in the financial year ended 31 March 2003 have been the
following:

   •Raising £20m in new capital in October from institutional investors to
    support the Group's acquisition strategy
   •Broadening the number of institutional investors from 5 to 11.
   •Acquiring the financial advisory firms Weston (December) and PFS
    (January)
   •Launching new distribution businesses such as Direct Protect and Berry
    Birch & Noble Employee Benefits
   •Forming one common back office capability, Group Support Services, to
    support the distribution businesses within the Group
   •Increasing  financial adviser numbers from 634 to 750

Turnover and net operating losses of the Group are expected to be in the range
of £55 million and £7million respectively and are broadly in line with current
market expectations.

During March and April, management have removed significant costs from the
business without adversely impacting Group revenues. This will result in the
Group incurring further exceptional charges of around £1.5million, in addition
to those disclosed at the half year stage of £0.6million.  The Group's revenue
targets for the year ending 31 March 2004 will remain unchanged and the cost
savings will facilitate BBB's return to operating profitability during the 2003/
2004 financial year.

BBB is now well placed to build on its strategy of capturing the value
opportunities arising out of the dynamics in financial services, particularly
the opportunities for selective acquisitions in the regional and national IFA
groups.

In order to implement the next stage of the Group's strategic plan and deliver
the corporate objectives,  BBB announced a number of changes to the board on 16
April 2003. Following the appointment of Stephen Ingledew as Group Chief
Executive and the extension of Craig Butcher's Group Financial Director role,
BBB will manage the Group's subsidiaries on a divisional basis. BBB is looking
to add an additional non executive director by 30 September 2003. The Group's
three operating divisions are

• IFA Network Division (Business to Business)

• Financial Advisory  Division (Business to Consumer)

• Insurance Division

The organisational changes will enable BBB to move into the next phase of its
growth and expansion plans. Whilst the market and regulatory environment is in
some respects uncertain, BBB's multi channel structure and financial strength
mean it can move forward with confidence in delivering value to shareholders


                                      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 750 financial advisers producing an annual turnover in excess of £55
    million.
   •Multi distribution structure that includes financial planning, employee
    benefits, trustee services, network services & insurance broking.


For further information please contact:

Berkeley Berry Birch plc

Stephen Ingledew, Group Deputy Chief Executive     Tel: [phone]

Grandfield        

Matthew Jervois     Tel: [phone]



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