Shareholders of Lowell Holdings Limited

On 4 April 2008 Exponent Private Equity and existing management acquired Lowell Holdings Limited ("Lowell"), the specialist debt purchase company, from a fund managed by Cabot Square Capital for an undisclosed value.Canaccord Genuity Canaccord Genuity advised the shareholders of Lowell comprising Cabot Square Capital and management.

Formed in 2004 with backing from a private equity fund managed by Cabot Square Capital, Lowell Group is a specialist debt purchase company. Lowell Group buys consumer debts from a range of blue-chip organisations and then manages the recovery of those debts, working closely with debtors to help them resolve their financial difficulties and pay off what they owe. Lowell Group reported an annual turnover last year of £50m and is on target to achieve continued strong growth in 2008. The business employs more than 300 people at its state-of-the art HQ and customer contact centre in Leeds.

Lowell Group'sperformance has received industry-wide recognition. In March 2008 it was recognised as one of the UK'sfastest growing businesses after being named "VC-backed business of the year" in the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008.

In November 2007 the company was named "Debt Purchaser of the Year" at a national debt industry awards event. James Cornell is the Yorkshire Institute of Directors' "Young Director of the Year 2007" and last month chief operating officer Andrew Bartle was awarded the "Developing the Team" award at the 2008 Institute of Credit Management Awards.

Canaccord Genuity acted as sole financial advisor to the shareholders of Lowell Holdings Limited.