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8th April 2002

Management Team Acquires Cambridge Consultants

Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL) has been successfully acquired by its management team following the Chapter 11 process in America to sell Arthur D Little (ADL). The deal, which sees CCL regain independence from ADL after 31 years, was led by CCL's CEO, Dr Brian Moon and backed by Altran, Europe's largest and fastest growing technology consultancy.

Altran employs over 15,000 engineers in 14 countries worldwide and is listed on both the Paris Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ.

It has consistently achieved share earnings annual growth of 33%. CCL will retain its independent brand, which is recognised throughout Europe to represent the highest standards of technology innovation.

Brian Moon commented, "This is an excellent outcome and puts an end to the uncertainty of the last few months. For the past forty years CCL has been the leading light in the technology design and development business. Now, backed by Altran's support, their significant business network and our combined pedigree for technology consulting, we create a truly winning formula which allows us to move forward with confidence."

Frederic Bonan, Altran's CEO is equally enthused, commenting, "It has taken over a year to secure this outcome but well worth the effort. Our impression of excellence of CCL's business and people has just built and built, particularly over the last few months and we were keenly interested to find a deal to exploit the strategic fit between us. With this Altran financed management acquisition we have forged a relationship that is bound to lead to business excellence, growth and profit."

Looking to the future, Dr Moon continued, "We have secured the future both for CCL as a company and, most importantly, for our 240 Cambridge based staff. Working with the biggest and best growing business group will give us the dynamic to reconfirm our leadership and authority in technology innovation. CCL is credited with being the causative factor in creating the local hot-spot that is called the Cambridge Phenomenon. From that origin we have around us many excellent companies and worthy competitors, all of us contributing to the economy. I and my colleagues are excited by the prospects we now have to further compete, lead and contribute over the next forty years and more."

CCL is renowned for designing and developing products that, through the innovative use of technology, allow client companies to gain a competitive advantage or even develop new markets. The company operates within healthcare, telecommunications, industrial & consumer, and government arenas. Already this year, CCL has announced significant advancements in developments as diverse as drug inhalation, an electronic mobility aid for the blind, a project to improve the smooth running of the London Underground, and a low cost monitor to measure the cleanliness of fluid such as oil.

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