Holding(s) in Company

Character Group PLC 30 June 2004 Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd, Birmingham Date: Wednesday, 30 June 2004 IMMEDIATE RELEASE The issuer advises the following replaces the holding in company announcement released on 28 June 2004 under RNS number 2165A. Please be advised that the total interest of ordinary shares should have been '5,045,000 ordinary shares of 5p each representing approximately 9.57% of the issued ordinary share capital' and not '5,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each and 9.5% of the issued ordinary share capital' as previously stated. All other details remain unchanged. The full amended text appears below: The Character Group plc ('Company' or 'The Character Group') Mittel Generale Investmenti S.p.A. ('Mittel') takes a stake of 9.57% in the Company The Company received notifications that on 25 June Mittel has purchased from Valtidone S.p.A., 5,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each of the Company ('Ordinary Shares') in an 'off market' transaction. Following these transactions, Valtidone S.p.A. has a notifiable interest of 2,030,000 Ordinary Shares, representing 3.85% of the issued share capital of the Company, and Mittel has a notifiable interest of 5,045,000 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 9.57% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company. Valtidone has informed the Directors that it has now completed its share disposal programme, and intends to keep its current interest for the foreseeable future as a long term investment. Mittel, which was founded in 1885 and listed in the same year, is the oldest investment bank listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. It specialises in strategic investments and investment banking in both the public and private markets. Dr Guido de Vivo, CEO of Mittel, stated: 'The investment in The Character Group is consistent with Mittel's policy of investing in companies that are well managed, the management have a significant shareholding, and where the shares are perceived to be undervalued' Richard King, Chairman of The Character Group commented: 'We are delighted to have Mittel as our first really significant investor from the financial markets. I believe that Mittel's broad range of expertise and their desire to be proactive in helping the Company to take advantage of any opportunities to grow either organically or through acquisition, will enable the management to assess new opportunities with a more confident approach.' Enquiries: Richard King, Chairman Fiona Tooley Kiran Shah, Group Finance Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson The Character Group plc Tel: 0121 455 8370 Tel: 020 8949 5898 Mobile: 07785 703523 Mobile: 07836 250150 (RK) Mobile: 07956 278522 (KS) www.charactergroup.plc.uk Dr Guido de Vivo Mittel S.p.A. Tel: +39 02 721411 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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