FSA regulation of SIPPS

Mattioli Woods PLC
19 March 2007


Press Release                                                      19 March 2007


                               Mattioli Woods plc
                       ('Mattioli Woods' or 'the Group')

                            FSA regulation of SIPPs


Mattioli Woods plc (AIM: MTW.L), the specialist pensions consultancy, announces
it has received authorisation from the Financial Services Authority ('FSA') to
establish and operate personal pension schemes including self-invested personal
pension schemes ('SIPPs') under the new regulatory regime, being introduced with
effect from 6 April 2007.



Bob Woods, Executive Chairman, comments:



'Mattioli Woods welcomes the regulation of SIPPs, and we are pleased to be one
of the first firms to receive this new approval from the FSA.  This long overdue
initiative from the regulator will provide our clients with even greater
confidence when selecting a SIPP as their preferred method of retirement
planning.



'A much higher level of protection is afforded to clients through providers
seeking this variation to existing FSA permissions, due to the significantly
higher capital adequacy requirements.  Our strong balance sheet has allowed us
to obtain FSA authorisation without any additional funding requirement.



'The increased capital adequacy requirements under the new regime have led
commentators to speculate that some existing players may wish to exit the
sector, creating further acquisition opportunities.



'We believe regulation will underpin further growth in what is an already
rapidly expanding SIPP market.'



                                    - Ends -



For further information please contact:

Mattioli Woods plc
Bob Woods, Executive Chairman                   Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                    www.mattioli-woods.com


Ian Mattioli, Chief Executive                   Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                 www.mattioli-woods.com


Nathan Imlach, Finance Director                 Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                www.mattioli-woods.com


Evolution Securities Limited
Joanne Lake, Corporate Finance                  Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                   www.evosecurities.com



Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Justin Heath/ Helen Waggott                     Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                www.abchurch-group.com



Note to editors:



Legislative key features



•         SIPPs will fall under the regulation of the FSA for the first time.
Previously, the sale of the SIPP wrapper itself, and the way in which it was
administered, were not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme,
nor did clients have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service if problems
arose.

•         SIPPs will be treated in the same way as other personal pension
arrangements and packaged products, such as investment bonds and collective
investments.

•         All SIPP providers will be required to produce a 'key features'
document prior to the sale of the SIPP itself, and issue a cancellation notice
following scheme establishment.  Where appropriate, firms will be obliged to
make it clear to their clients that they are 'whole of market' advisers but also
operate and recommend their own SIPP arrangement.



Corporate background



Mattioli Woods was established in 1991 by Ian Mattioli and Bob Woods.  The Group
provides pensions consultancy and administration services primarily to
owner-managers, senior executives and professionals.  Mattioli Woods' key
activities include complex pensions consultancy, the provision of SIPPs and
small self-administered pension schemes ('SSAS'), advice on related business
affairs, including pension investment services and the facilitation and
administration of syndicated property schemes.  Its focus is at the higher end
of the market where clients require bespoke service and specialist advice.



Mattioli Woods listed on the AIM market on 23 November 2005.


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