Notification of Major Interests in Shares

GUINNESS PEAT GROUP PLC

("GPG" or the "Company")

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

GPG announces it has been informed by Soros Fund Management LLC that it has increased the investment in GPG made by it on behalf of Quantum Strategic Partners Ltd ("Quantum).

Quantum now holds 133,201,970 shares in GPG, which equates to 8.21% of the Company's total voting rights.

Chris Healy

Company Secretary

Guinness Peat Group plc

Tel: +44 20 7484 3370

24 August 2012

Enquiry details are:

New Zealand and Australian media: Geoff Senescall on: +64 9 309 5659

UK media: Kevin Smith on: +44 20 7282 1054