Nigel Harris Trust Company Acquired

Rathbone Brothers PLC
3 April 2000


                            RATHBONE ACQUIRES
              NIGEL HARRIS TRUST COMPANY LIMITED IN JERSEY
                                    

Rathbone Brothers Plc announces that it has acquired Nigel Harris  Trust
Company Limited in Jersey.  Nigel Harris Trust Company Limited is one of
Jersey's  leading independent trust companies, employing 56  people  and
administering  in excess of 1,100 companies and trusts on  behalf  of  a
wide range of individual and corporate clients.

The   origin  of  the  business  is  a  solicitors'  practice  and  this
complements the existing business of Rathbone Jersey Limited  and  gives
Rathbones  a  significant  combined business  in  Jersey  with  exciting
potential for further development.

In  the  year ended 31 December 1999 Nigel Harris Trust Company  Limited
reported  revenue of £4.115m and profit after tax (and  after  adjusting
for certain non-recurring items) of £1.326m.  Net assets of £1.556m have
been acquired.

Consideration comprises an initial amount of £9.945m, representing 7 1/2
times  1999  profit after tax and adjustments and deferred consideration
of  2 1/2  times profit after tax and adjustments for the year ended  31
December  2000,  with total consideration capped at £15m.   The  initial
consideration  will be satisfied, 25 per cent. by the allotment  of  new
ordinary  shares  to the vendors and 75 per cent.  in  cash.   The  cash
element  of  the initial consideration, is being funded by a placing  of
further  new ordinary shares with institutional investors.  The deferred
consideration   will  be  payable  in  cash.   The  placing   has   been
underwritten by Charterhouse Securities Limited.

Application  will  be made for both the new ordinary  shares  which  are
being  allotted to the Vendors and those being placed, to be  listed  on
the London Stock Exchange with dealings expected to commence on 10 April
2000.   These shares will not rank for the final dividend for  the  year
ended 31 December 1999.

This  acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing  and,
on  a  pro  forma basis, would have added 1.9p to earnings per share  in
1999.   The  three vendors, Paul Egerton-Vernon, Christopher Harris  and
Nicola  Adamson,  will  continue to work for  the  business  and  it  is
Rathbones' intention to merge the businesses of Rathbone Jersey  Limited
and Nigel Harris Trust Company Limited in due course.


Commenting  on  the  acquisition, Micky  Ingall,  Chairman  of  Rathbone
Brothers Plc, said:

'We are delighted to welcome the staff and clients of Nigel Harris Trust
Company  Limited  to  the Rathbone group.  The complementary  nature  of
their  skills  will strengthen our Trust division and  our  presence  on
Jersey.   We  also  intend,  over time, to  offer  their  clients  other
services, such as investment management'.


Press enquiries:

Rathbones:                         Tel.[phone]
      Micky Ingall, Chairman
      Andy Pomfret, Finance Director


Nigel Harris Trust Company:        Tel. [phone]
      Paul Egerton-Vernon
      Christopher Harris
      Nicola Adamson