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 notified by Westpac Banking Corporation (and associated companies) ("Westpac") that on 2 April 2013 Westpac's holding in GPG increased to 59,899,112 shares being 4.26% of the Company's total voting rights.

Chris Healy

Company Secretary

Guinness Peat Group plc

Tel: +44 20 7484 3370

4 April 2013

Enquiry details are:

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

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