Board Appointment

EVC Christows PLC 5 February 2001 EVC Christows' new Chief Executive, Alex Snow, announced today that Michael Read, 58, former Deputy Chairman and founding director of Greig Middleton & Company Ltd, is to join the Board of EVC Christows (EVC). Mr Read will become Head of Private Client Investment Management and an Executive Director and Chairman of Christows Ltd with effect from February 5th. Until recently Read was Chairman of the APCIMS (Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers). His new role at EVC will maximise more than 20 years' industry experience, putting him at the head of the company's Private Client Investment Management division. Michael Read owns 49 per cent of Christows Asset Management Limited ('CAM'), a newly formed company (subject to regulatory approval), the remainder of which is owned by EVC Christows. CAM has been specially created for the private client investment management activities of EVC Christows, which will be managed by Michael Read. The Company has entered into a put and call agreement with Michael Read pursuant to which, subject to the achievement of demanding and aggressive performance criteria, Michael Read can require the Company to acquire his holding in CAM at any time between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2006, failing which EVC Christows can require him to sell his holding to the Company on the same terms at any time in July 2006. The price payable on exercise of such option, which is subject to a cap of £7 million, will be calculated by reference to CAM's profits, and will be satisfied initially by the issue of up to 50 million new ordinary shares in the Company with the balance, if any, payable in cash subject to a maximum of £1.625 million. By way of further consideration for the exercise of the put and call option and continuing incentivisation an additional amount will be payable if in a specified two year period the funds managed by CAM exceed certain prescribed levels, the amount payable to be calculated on the basis of 1 per cent of such excess, subject to a cap of £2 million. Speaking of his new position, Mr Read said: 'The renaissance of the private investor is not a one-day wonder, he and she are here to stay - and, as in America, will become an even greater influence on stock markets in this country and in Europe. 'This is a time of healthy competition in our industry but with many opportunities for soundly run, professional companies focussed on high quality personal service to flourish. This is my intention in this new role.' Alex Snow, newly appointed Chief Executive, EVC Christows, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome Michael onto the Board. He is one of just a handful of individuals who have changed the face of private client stockbroking in this country over the last 20 years. In addition to his wealth of experience and contacts, he exemplifies our stated commitment to consistently build and strengthen EVC's investment management business over the next few years.' Michael Read will get his first chance to meet EVC Christows' private clients, IFAs, staff and stakeholders at the company's forthcoming invitation event, ' Investment Themes 2001' on February 12th. The following information is provided in accordance with AIM ruling 16.8(E): Michael John Read, 58. Current directorships: Cairnlife Limited; Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers; The Bromborough Estate Company Limited; Mitford Company Limited; The London & Northern Estates Company Limited; REC Investment Company Limited. Previous directorships: FSH Holdings Limited; Fishing & Sporting Holidays Limited; Greig Middleton Financial Services Limited; Greig Middleton Holdings Limited; Gerrard Limited; Greig Middleton Nominees Limited. Platypus Oilfield Services Holdings Limited, a company of which Michael Read was a director, went into insolvent liquidation on 18 February 1992. The amount owing to creditors was £2,293,442. Pursuant to the remaining clauses of AIM rule 16.8, there are no further details to be disclosed. - ENDS EVC Christows contact: Alex Snow: 020 7444 1730 Jackie Donnelly: 020 7444 1730 Email enquiries to: info@evc-christows.com www.evc-christows.com Media contacts for further comment, interviews, photos: Kit Watts, Direct Line: 020 7939 7414 Mobile: 07968 417518 Adrian Chitty, Direct Line: 020 7939 7415 Mobile: 09766 14484 VLP Switchboard: 020 7403 7500 kitw@vlp.co.uk adrianc@vlp.co.uk
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