Beech Tree Private Equity ("BTPE") today announces the launch of its first fund, backed by leading institutional investors

Beech Tree Private Equity are pleased to announce the close of their first fund, "BTPE Fund 1". BTPE was founded by Andy Marsh and Paul Franks, two experienced and well respected private equity investors. The fund is backed by Access Capital Partners and Adams Street Partners, two highly regarded institutional investors. Beech Tree Private Equity will be based in both the North and the Midlands and feature heavily in these communities. The fund will provide capital to support high growth companies in specific sectors across the UK. BTPE will invest £10-30 million in any single transaction.

Commenting on the launch of Beech Tree Private Equity's first independent fund, Paul Franks, Managing Partner of Beech Tree Private Equity said "We have set up Beech Tree Private Equity as we wanted to create a really fresh approach to the private equity market. With Andy and I now in control of our own business we can move just as fast as the businesses that we back. There is space for a truly entrepreneurial private equity investor in this part of the market.

We are delighted to have the support of two well respected investors in our first fund. We will focus all our efforts on companies with an enterprise value between £10 and £75 million where the management team want to partner with an energetic entrepreneurial owner-managed private equity provider."

Andy Marsh, Managing Partner of Beech Tree Private Equity commented "Beech Tree is all about backing high growth companies in specific sectors where we can see real growth, or where we spot a business with a disruptive business model that can change the shape of a market.

Both Paul and I have a track record of repeatedly developing good businesses into exceptional businesses alongside the management teams we back, it's this aspect of what we do that we enjoy the most."

Beech Tree Private Equity will now commence the investment of the Fund.

About Beech Tree Private Equity:

Beech Tree Private Equity is a new private equity firm providing capital and expertise to fast growing businesses across the UK. BTPE invest £10-30 million into high growth companies typically valued at between £10 and 75 million. The business was founded by two experienced private equity investors, Andy Marsh and Paul Franks, who have over 25 years' experience in regional private equity targeting high growth sub-sectors. Beech Tree Private Equity invests in businesses operating in high growth markets or with disruptive business models which, with additional capital and expertise, can take advantage of the dynamics of an attractive business model and an expanding market.

More information can be found at www.beechtreepe.com

Enquiries: Please direct enquiries to:

Beech Tree Private Equity:

Paul Franks (paul.franks@beechtreepe.com or 07802 188775) or:

Andy Marsh (andy.marsh@beechtreepe.com or 07810 751325).