Last night's AIM Awards 2008 held in London saw Brewin Dolphin Investment
Banking, a leading player in the mid-market and SmallCap arena, being once again
recognised for its expertise, when it picked up the BEST AIM Research Award.

The 2008 AIM Awards recognise outstanding individuals and companies quoted on the
market across a range of categories. The BEST AIM Research Award celebrates
individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution to increasing the
profile of AIM, creating interest in a market of over 500 diverse small and medium sized
companies through detailed investment commentary.

Commenting, Michael Parkinson, Head of Research who collected the award on
behalf of Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking said:

“We are delighted to receive this significant award which is testament to the strength and
depth of our equity research team. Our experienced and highly respected team of 13
analysts follow over 140 companies providing in-depth quality research across six
sectors - Consumer, Healthcare, Industrials, Oil and Gas, Mining, Support Services and
Technology. We continue to grow and expand the division and look forward to further
successes going forward.”

This year’s 2008 AIM Awards ceremony comes at a particularly challenging time given
the uncertain economic environment. The awards have run every year since AIM was
first launched in 1995 but now, more so than ever before, the winners have to
demonstrate their abilities and skills to thrive in difficult markets.

Commenting, John Dickinson, Deputy Head of Research at Brewin Dolphin
Investment Banking said:

“Against this tougher market backdrop, the quality and strength of our research is crucial
and the expertise of our team has stood us in excellent stead for this award. The team
covers over 65 AIM stocks of which we are delighted to act as nominated adviser to 49
companies, demonstrating the strength of our practice in this area.”

Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking is known in the City as one of the leading players in
the mid-market and SmallCap arena, having been recognised as AIM Broker of the Year
in the 2007 AIM Investment Management Awards. The company’s multi-disciplined team
of professionals, located in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and
Newcastle, are dedicated to bringing the best practices of the City to our 120+ small and
mid-market corporate clients all over the country.

Commenting on the award, Graeme Summers, Head of Investment Banking at
Brewin Dolphin said:

“We are naturally delighted to have picked up another high profile AIM award As one of
the first approved Nominated Advisors when AIM launched, we have a long standing
commitment to our clients, both corporate and institutional, who operate in this market.

Looking forward, we believe there are exciting opportunities ahead for our business and
we are well placed to continue to provide good, honest advice to our clients.”

For further enquiries please contact:
Claire Barry / Kate Hough
HSQ
Telephone: 020 7796 4133
Website: www.brewindolphin.co.uk

Information on Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking

Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking is a recognised leading adviser to UK small & mid
cap companies. Key sector specialisms include Consumer, Healthcare, Human Capital,
IT, Leisure, Support Services, Transport.

Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking is known in the City as one of the leading players in
the mid-market and SmallCap arena, having been recognised as Best AIM Research at
2008 AIM Awards and AIM Broker of the Year in the 2007 AIM Investment Management
Awards.

It’s multi-disciplined staff of professionals, located in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds,
London, Manchester and Newcastle, are dedicated to bringing the best practices of the
City to our 120+ small and mid-market corporate clients all over the country.

Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking is a division of Brewin Dolphin Ltd, which is the
principal operating company of Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC which is listed on the
Official List and traded on the Main market of the London Stock Exchange of the UK
Listing Authority. Brewin Dolphin Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Brewin Dolphin Ltd is the UK's largest independent private client investment manager
with approximately £20 billion of funds under management, of which £10 billion is
managed on a discretionary basis.