Acquisition of Catalis Group

ATA Group PLC
11 October 2000

                               
             Acquisition of Catalis Group Limited

ATA Group plc (ATA), a human resource support services group
which  provides  employment solutions and  training  services,
announces  that  it has conditionally agreed  to  acquire  the
whole  of  the  issued share capital of Catalis Group  Limited
(Catalis).   Catalis is a provider of training services  and
carries  out  audits of training standards on  behalf  of  the
Railway Industry.

The initial consideration of £1.35 million is payable in cash.
In addition, the Company has agreed to ensure that Catalis has
the necessary resources to repay a medium term loan, including
interest,  amounting  to £650,000 in total.   If  the  profits
before taxation of Catalis for the period ending 31 March 2001
are less than £310,000, the vendors of Catalis have undertaken
to repay ATA a sum of up to £416,000.  Deferred consideration,
of  up  to £939,000 will be payable, dependent on the  profits
before taxation of Catalis during the period from 1 April 2000
to   31  March  2001.   The  deferred  consideration  will  be
satisfied either by cash or by the issue and allotment of  new
ordinary  shares in ATA based on a multiple of  profits  after
taxation  of Catalis, less the initial consideration  and  the
amount of the medium term loan that has been repaid.

Catalis  operates  through  two wholly  owned  subsidiaries  -
Catalis  Rail  Training Limited (Catalis Rail Training)  and
Rail Training Audit Services Limited (RTAS).

The   College  of  Railway  Technology  Limited,  subsequently
renamed Catalis Rail Training, was the subject of a management
buy-out  as  part of the privatisation of British Rail  before
being  sold  to  Catalis Group Limited in  1997.   It  has  an
unrivaled  signaling equipment, instructor base and reputation
and  is  a  major  provider of infrastructure based  technical
training  to  the  Railway Industry. Catalis  is  the  largest
independent provider of Competence Assurance and Training  and
Development  Services  across  a  complete  range  of   skills
required within in the new Railway Industry.  Catalis occupies
substantial  conference and training facilities in  Derby  and
has  recently made good progress in encouraging business  from
outside bodies. RTAS was established in 1999, with the  direct
support  of  Railtrack to audit the standards of  occupational
competence in safety critical areas.

For  the  year  ended 31 March 2000, Catalis had  turnover  of
£4.84  million and operating profit of £29,000.  At  31  March
2000, Catalis had net assets of £0.37 million.

To satisfy the initial cash consideration, Teather & Greenwood
Limited  (Teather  &  Greenwood)  has,  on  behalf  of  ATA,
undertaken to place new ordinary shares of 1 pence  each  with
institutional and other investors.

Commenting on this acquisition, Bill Douie, Chairman, said:

'The  acquisition  of  Catalis is  in  accordance  with  ATA's
strategy  of  extending  its  exposure  to  training  in   the
Corporate sector.  We believe that Catalis is an excellent fit
with ATA as, in addition to providing us with immediate access
to  a  growing  area of the UK economy and one  in  which  the
government is committed to provide additional funding, it will
enable  ATA  to expand its current activities into  a  broader
arena.  We believe that the cash generative nature of ATA will
provide the necessary resources to maximise the expansion  and
development of Catalis and we look forward to working with our
new colleagues to achieve this.'

'I am  happy  to reaffirm the confidence I expressed  in  the
interim  statement.   Trading continues  positive  and  up  to
directors' expectations and I am pleased to announce that  our
interactive recruitment website is now live.'

A  circular from the Chairman detailing further terms  of  the
acquisition will be sent to shareholders in due course.


Enquiries:

ATA Group plc
Bill  Douie,   Chairman                0117  924 1600
Clive Chapman,  Chief Executive

Teather & Greenwood Limited
Rick  Thompson,    Director            020  7426 9073

College Hill
Giles Cooper                            020 7457 2020