Directorate Change

Close Brothers Group PLC
08 October 2007


                                                                  8 October 2007



        CLOSE BROTHERS ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR



Close Brothers Group plc, the specialist merchant banking group, is pleased to
announce the appointment of Jonathan Howell as Finance Director. He will also
join the main Board of Close Brothers. It is expected he will take up his post
in early February 2008.


Jonathan Howell is a qualified chartered accountant and has worked at the London
Stock Exchange since 1996. In 1998 he became Head of Regulation and in 1999 he
was appointed to the main board as Finance Director.



Commenting on Jonathan's appointment, Colin Keogh, Chief Executive of Close
Brothers Group, said:


"We are delighted that Jonathan is joining us. He brings a wealth of experience
and a fresh approach and we are looking forward to having him on our Board at
what is an exciting stage of development for our Group."



                                    - ends -



For more information please contact:

Close Brothers Group

Colin Keogh, Chief Executive                         020 7426 4000
Justin Clark, Head of Communications                 020 7655 3784

Maitland

Emma Burdett                                         020 7379 5151
Anthony Silverman                                    020 7379 5151


Note to editors:


Jonathan Howell is 45 years old. He went to Birmingham University and qualified
as a chartered accountant with PriceWaterhouse Coopers. He joined the London
Stock Exchange in 1996 and was appointed to the main board as Finance Director
in 1999. Jonathan is also currently the Non-Executive Chairman of FTSE
International Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Emap plc.






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