Acquisition

Artisan (UK) PLC
27 December 2000

                               Artisan (UK) Plc


Artisan (UK) Plc has announced the completion of its acquisition of E C Rippon
Limited, the Mansfield based housebuilder, on 22 December 2000, from Ennstone
Breedon Ltd.

The details of the acquisition were announced on 5 December 2000. The
acquisition was principally subject to the approval of Ennstone Plc
shareholders. This approval was obtained on 21 December 2000.

The final consideration was subject to agreement of completion accounts and
has been agreed as £9,895,000 less a £3,000,000 pre-acquisition dividend paid
by E C Rippon Ltd. Artisan (UK) Plc has settled the consideration of £
6,895,000 to the Vendor and financed the £3,000,000 pre-acquisition dividend
payment.

A more comprehensive announcement on the transaction and Artisan's future
plans for its new housebuilder will follow early in the New Year.