AGM Statement

27 November 2013 Helphire Group Plc ('Group') AGM Statement At today's AGM, Avril Palmer-Baunack, chairman of Helphire Group plc will bemaking the following statement by way of an update on current trading of thebusiness in respect of the period from 1 July to 27 November 2013. Unlessotherwise stated, the financial and operational data, where identified, relatesto the 4 month period that ended on 31 October 2013. Current Trading The Group's new financial year has begun well. Trading profits for the firstfour months of the year are ahead of the corresponding period last year. Earlyindications are that this trend has continued during November and the Board isconfident about the Group's prospects for the financial year as a whole. Cash generation has continued to be positive and debtor days at 31 October 2013were in accordance with our expectations at 128 days, reflecting seasonalvariations (30 June 2013: 126 days) and compare to 153 days at 31 October 2012.Net cash was £4.3 million at 31 October 2013, (30 June 2013: net cash of £1.1million), and compares to net debt of £101.0 million at 31 October 2012. As previously reported, the refinancing of the Group that was completed on 28March 2013 has put the Group on a much stronger footing and has raised theGroup's stature in the marketplace. As a consequence, the Group is beinginvited to participate in an increasing number of commercial and otheropportunities which, if consummated, could provide a platform for moresignificant growth in the future. Autofocus The Group has made good progress in the preparatory stages of the Autofocuslitigation and we have now identified several thousand cases that may have beencompromised as a result of unreliable evidence used by defendant insurers.These cases are going through due process, which will allow the Group torepresent its losses to insurers. Subject to being satisfied that we haveidentified the full extent of our losses, we expect to begin settlementnegotiations with insurers over the coming months. We intend, where possible,to resolve matters with insurers without litigation. It would not beappropriate to speculate on the outcome of any negotiations at this stage, butwe will provide an update when we are able to do so. Dividends The Group paid a first interim dividend for the year to 30 June 2014 of 0.110pence per ordinary share (approximately £1.7 million in aggregate) on 25October 2013. A total of £4.3 million has been paid in dividends since thecompletion of the refinancing in March 2013. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the Board intends to announce asecond interim dividend for the current year as part of its announcement ofresults for the six months ending 31 December 2013. The Board expects thesecond interim dividend to be 0.171 pence per ordinary share (approximately £2.7 million in aggregate). The Group's dividend policy is unchanged since the refinancing and remains todistribute as much of the Group's profits by way of dividend as it can, takingaccount of prevailing circumstances and other requirements or commitments. For further information, contact: Helphire Group plc 01225 321134Martin Ward, Chief Executive OfficerStephen Oakley, Chief Financial Officer Cenkos 020 7397 8900Ian SoanesMax Hartley Square1 Consulting 020 7929 5599David BickMark Longson