Acquires Stake in Acceleris

W.H. Ireland Group PLC
29 July 2005


                             W.H. IRELAND GROUP PLC

                INVESTS IN ACCELERIS CORPORATE VENTURES LIMITED

W.H. Ireland Group plc announces that its subsidiary W.H. Ireland Limited has
today acquired a holding of 20% of the equity in Acceleris Corporate Ventures
Limited ('Acceleris') at a cost of £300,000. Acceleris is an FSA regulated
Lancashire based boutique that has been trading for five years, which
specialises in providing advice to early stage companies. Its Chief Executive is
Norman Molyneux and it has participated in investments in 10 companies, a number
of which are spin-offs from universities in the North of England.

W.H. Ireland Chief Executive Laurie Beevers said 'We have been working with
Norman and his team both formally and informally for a number of years so when
the opportunity to invest directly into Acceleris came along we were keen to
participate.

'The investment takes us into the Private Equity Sector of the market where we
have minimal exposure at the moment and as such it fits in nicely with our
aspiration to further grow our business base.'

Norman Molyneux said

' We are delighted that a broker with the record and reputation of WH Ireland
has decided to make this significant investment in Acceleris. It is a vote of
confidence in our business model and will enable us to make a step-change in the
scale of our operations, assist us in winning new mandates and provide our
clients with access to institutional connections and a broad spectrum of advice.

' We look forward to working closely together in the future.'

Press Queries:

Laurie Beevers                                                   0161 832 6644
Chief Executive, W.H. Ireland Group plc

David Youngman                                                   0161 832 6644
Deputy CEO, W.H. Ireland Group plc

Norman Molyneux                                                  01942 32225
Chief Execuitive, Acceleris Corporate Ventures Ltd








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