Ironbridge Capital Completes Settlement

12 December 2005

Ironbridge Capital Completes Settlement Of Two Aged Care Businesses

Ironbridge Capital announced today that its investments in Elrond Holdings Limited (“Elrond”) and the Qualcare Group (“Qualcare”) - two large aged care businesses in New Zealand - have been settled.

Ironbridge, a leading independent Australasian private equity manager, is investing alongside Mr Greg Tomlinson, CEO and a substantial shareholder of both aged care businesses.

Neil Broekhuizen, Managing Partner of Ironbridge Capital, said he was delighted to have completed the transaction.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to invest alongside Greg, who has a long and successful track record in the industry. We look forward to working together to firstly merge the businesses, which have until now been run independently, and then to take the resultant company through its next stage of development.”

Both Elrond and Qualcare own and operate integrated aged care facilities that offer residents a full spectrum of care services from day care and independent living in apartments and villas through to full 24 hour hospital care. Together the businesses own and operate 973 rest home and hospital beds and 461 villas and apartments in 16 facilities through out New Zealand making the combined entity one of the largest suppliers of aged care services in New Zealand.

Mr Greg Tomlinson said Elrond and Qualcare had an established reputation as a caring provider of services to the aged and this would be enhanced by the presence of Ironbridge.

“I am pleased to be partnering with Ironbridge as it brings experience in the healthcare sector, corporate governance and financial strength to the business going forward.”

Mr Broekhuizen said that Elrond and Qualcare provided an ideal vehicle for Ironbridge to participate in an attractive segment of the healthcare market, the future of which was underpinned by the aging NZ population.

“Together Elrond and Qualcare have an excellent portfolio of well-located aged care facilities in major residential areas.

This investment will be the sixth for Ironbridge in its 2003/4 MBO Fund.

ENDS

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