Sea Lion Ventures

Caledonia Investments PLC
09 December 2002

                    CALEDONIA ESTABLISHES SEA LION VENTURES


Caledonia has formed Sea Lion Ventures, an investment management company, in a
50/50% joint venture with Stephen Schweich and Patrick Seely.



Schweich and Seely, who will manage Sea Lion Ventures, were formerly with
Robertson Stephens and Broadview Partners respectively.  They have collectively
over 30 years experience providing M&A, capital markets and business strategy
advice to technology companies in Europe and the US.  (More biographical details
below)



Sea Lion Ventures plans to raise funds to investment in various private equity
opportunities. Its first is likely to invest in technology and life science
companies that are quoted on European stock exchanges.  Sea Lion has identified
a significant number of undervalued small cap companies that have world class
technologies, strong management and growth potential but which are currently
being over looked by the investment community.



Tim Ingram, Chief Executive of Caledonia, commented:

'Caledonia is delighted to support the establishment of Sea Lion Ventures with a
high calibre team.  Stephen and Patrick have a strong track record and we
believe with the developments that are occurring in the private equity market
there are a number of attractive opportunities for Sea Lion to pursue.'



Stephen Schweich, Managing Director of Sea Lion Ventures, said:

'Sea Lion Ventures will aim to provide investors with specialised private equity
funds that are focused on specific areas of opportunity.  Caledonia's backing
provides us with a very strong foundation.'



                                                                9 December 2002

End



Enquiries:



Caledonia Investments plc                                  Tel: [phone]
Tim Ingram



Sea Lion Ventures
Stephen Schweich                                           Tel: [phone]
Patrick Seely                                                   020 7802 4856



College Hill                                               Tel: [phone]
Tony Friend
Celia de Rudder



Note to editors:



Stephen Schweich

He has 17 years experience in equity research and investment banking for growth
companies.  He was previously Chairman and Chief Executive of  Robertson
Stephens International in London from 1996 - 2002, and a member of the Executive
Committee of Robertson Stephens Inc., based in San Francisco. Prior to moving to
London, Stephen was a Senior Equity Research Analyst at Robertson Stephens ( San
Francisco) from 1993 - 1996, and  at Alex Brown & Sons  (Baltimore) from
1987-93..



Patrick Seely

He has 15 years experience in strategic advisory, M&A execution, private equity
and corporate finance for technology companies. He was Managing Director at
Broadview International, a leading US-based M&A advisory firm, in London from
1992 to 2001.In 1997, Patrick helped create Broadview's European private equity
business, Kennet Capital, in partnership with Electra Fleming.    Prior to
joining Broadview, Patrick held investment banking and management positions at
BZW and  County Natwest .




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