Holding(s) in Company

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES 1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying HELPHIRE GROUP PLC issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached: 2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes): An acquisition or disposal of voting rights

x

An acquisition or disposal of qualifying financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments An event changing the breakdown of voting rights Other (please specify): 3. Full name of person(s) subject to HSBC Holdings plc the notification obligation: 4. Full name of shareholder(s) HSBC Investment Management if different from 3.): HSBC Bank plc 5. Date of the transaction and date 19.03.13onwhich the threshold is crossed or reached: 6. Date on which issuer notified: 21.03.13 7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed Above 5% or reached: 8. Notified details: A: Voting rights attached to shares Class/type Situation previous Resulting situation after the triggeringof to the triggering transactionshares transaction if possible Number Number Number Number of voting % of voting rightsusing of of of shares rightsthe ISIN Shares VotingCODE Rights Direct Direct Indirect Direct Indirect GB004195219 Not Not 17,451,211 17,451,211 10,000 5.267 0.003 disclosed disclosed B: Qualifying Financial Instruments Resulting situation after the triggering transaction Type of financial Expiration Exercise/ Number of voting % of votinginstrument date Conversion Period rights that may be rights acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying FinancialInstruments Resulting situation after the triggering transaction Type of Exercise Expiration Exercise/ Number of voting % of voting financial price date Conversion rights instrument rights instrument period refers to Nominal Delta Total (A+B+C) Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights 17,461,211 5.270%

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or thefinancial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:

N/A Proxy Voting: 10. Name of the proxy holder: N/A 11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will N/A ceaseto hold: 12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold N/A voting rights: 13. Additional information: 14. Contact name: N Tilley - Company Secretary

15. Contact telephone number: 01225 321207