26 August 2008:  The van Tulleken Company (“van Tulleken”), leading international corporate finance advisers in media, information and technology, is pleased to announce it has advised the shareholders of Brook Hunt, a market leading UK-based provider of analysis and advice on mining and metals markets, on the sale of the business to Wood Mackenzie, for an undisclosed sum.  Wood Mackenzie is a leading provider of research and consulting services to the energy industry.  Van Tulleken was appointed earlier this year as sole advisor to Brook Hunt and led the negotiations, structuring and execution of the transaction.

Brook Hunt, established in 1975, provides its clients with in depth market analysis across the mining and metals industries, as well as one off detailed consulting assignments, allowing the most informed and competitive business decisions to be made. Brook Hunt is a strong strategic fit for Wood Mackenzie due to the close similarities in culture and business models - based on proprietary information and independent, commercial analysis.

Wood Mackenzie was founded in 1973 and provides a unique range of research products and consulting services to the Energy industry.  The company is a premier supplier of ‘must have’ research and knowledge-based consulting to clients in virtually every major energy company, as well as leading financial services organisations, governments and government agencies across the globe.  Wood Mackenzie has grown significantly in recent years and currently employs around 550 staff making it one of the largest Energy research and consulting companies in the world.  The deal is the third acquisition made by Wood Mackenzie since July 2005, when leading European buyout house Candover first invested in the company and reinforces the company’s strategy to complement organic growth with infill acquisitions. 

Richard Wilson, Managing Director of Brook Hunt added:
“Over recent years the mining and metals industry has shared similar dynamics to the energy industry, such as disconnects between supply and demand, a need for investment, the entrance of new players and consolidation of existing players. All these factors are driving an increase in demand for high quality commercial analysis and therefore provide Brook Hunt with a great opportunity for growth, which we will now be able to realise now as part of Wood Mackenzie. Van Tulleken was instrumental in providing us with strategic guidance and insight throughout the process.”

Stephen Halliday, Chief Executive Officer at Wood Mackenzie, commented:
“We are delighted to have found a company that we see as a perfect cultural and strategic fit for Wood Mackenzie, and which brings us an in-depth knowledge of mining and metals.

Andrew Adams, van Tulleken Managing Director, London, said:
“The acquisition of Brook Hunt will considerably bolster Wood Mackenzie’s position in the energy industry and provide a fantastic platform for growth. We are very pleased to have been advisers to Brook Hunt on such a key transaction.  Van Tulleken has an unrivalled expertise in the Energy Information sector. We have recently advised on the sales of McClosky to IHS and Heren Energy to Reed Business Information.”

The van Tulleken Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Quayle Munro Limited.

For further information:

Andrew Adams, The van Tulleken Company
Tel: +44 207 235 1099

John Kiely, Gemma Froggatt, Smithfield    
Tel: +44 207 360 4900

Notes to Editors:

The van Tulleken Company (www.vantulleken.com) is a leading international corporate finance adviser on M&A and strategic developments in the media, information and technology industries.  The company became part of the independent merchant bank Quayle Munro in April 2008.  With offices in London and New York, van Tulleken serves large international companies and SMEs in the UK, Europe and the US.  Clients include corporations, financial sponsors, media executives and entrepreneurs. Companies by which it has been retained on an ongoing or assignment basis include Wolters Kluwer; von Holtzbrinck; Nielsen Media (formerly  VNU); Reed Elsevier; Hearst & Pearson and Dolan Media.  The skills and experience of the team are virtually unmatched in the industry, having closed over 100 transactions since its foundation, representing both sellers and acquirers.  The Company is Authorized and Regulated by the FSA.

Quayle Munro (www.quaylemunro.com) Quayle Munro was founded in 1983 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1993. It moved to AIM in 2003. In 2007 Quayle Munro acquired the corporate finance adviser, New Boathouse Capital and, in 2008, The van Tulleken Company, a leading M&A specialist in media and technology software. Quayle Munro has completed over 65 corporate finance transactions in the past three years with a total value in excess of £4 billion. Quayle Munro has also advised on, and managed investments in, over 50 public  finance transactions across PFI, PPP and further and higher education in that period.  Quayle Munro values long-term strategic relationships with its broad client base and has over 30 professionals operating from offices in London, Edinburgh and New York.