DC ADVISORY PARTNERS APPOINTS NEW UK MANAGING DIRECTOR TO ITS JAPAN ASIA FOCUS GROUP

Appointment of Kiwon Han as a Managing Director to the Japan Asia Focus Group

29 June 2010, London – DC Advisory Partners (formerly Close Brothers Corporate Finance), one of Europe's leading independent corporate finance advisers, has appointed Kiwon Han as a Managing Director to its Japan Asia Focus Group. Based in London, Kiwon will be responsible for advising clients on opportunities between Europe and Japan and Asia.

Kiwon joins DC Advisory Partners from Daiwa Capital Markets in London where he was responsible for Global Investment Banking business strategy. Previously he headed Daiwa Securities' Seoul operations in Korea.

Kiwon has over twenty years corporate finance experience, primarily advising corporates and financial investors in Asia, particularly Korea, Taiwan and China. His sectors of focus include healthcare, technology and energy. He has advised Korea's Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry on strategic options; and the Korean Gas Corporation on disposals of non core assets to oil majors.

This is the first senior appointment DC Advisory Partners has made since its inception.

Commenting on Kiwon's appointment, Richard Madden, Chief Executive of DC Advisory Partners, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Kiwon to DC Advisory Partners. His appointment further strengthens our ability to advise Asian clients looking for European acquisition opportunities, and our European clients looking to diversify internationally."

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For further information please contact:

DC Advisory Partners

Justin Clark 020 7856 0930

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Alistair Kellie 020 7282 2850

Notes to editors:

DC Advisory Partners is a leading corporate finance house, offering independent advice on:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Debt raisings
• Restructuring
• IPOs
• Financial sponsors

Headquartered in London, it has a strong European and regional presence, employing over 200 staff across offices in Barcelona, Frankfurt, Lyon, Madrid, Manchester, Paris, Warsaw and Zurich.

Through its parent company, Japanese investment bank, Daiwa Capital Markets, DC Advisory Partners also has access to a global network of relationships in Daiwa's existing markets, including Japan, Asia (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and other countries), Russia, Bahrain, Dubai and other Gulf territories as well as into the US through Daiwa's alliance partner, Sagent Advisors.