Holding(s) in Company

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES 1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying HELPHIRE GROUP PLCissuer 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 05.03.13 on which the threshold is crossed or reached: 6. Date on which issuer notified: 07.03.13 7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed 5% or reached: 8. Notified details: A: Voting rights attached to shares Class/type of Situation previous Resulting situation after the triggeringshares to the triggering transaction transaction if possible Number Number Number Number of voting % of voting rightsusing of of of shares rightsthe ISIN CODE Shares Voting Rights Direct Direct Indirect Direct Indirect

GB004195219 Below 3% Below 3% 16,763,564 16,763,564 10,000 5.059 0.003

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. Physically-settled 15/03/13 N/A 5,166 0.002Long Call Option 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 16,778,730 5.064%

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