Artisan (UK) PLC
23 February 2000
Artisan (UK) plc ('Artisan')
Disposal of Subsidiary
Artisan announces today that, as referred to in the Offer
Document relating to its offer for Bickerton Group plc,
it has sold its subsidiary, Bernard Ward Limited, to that
company's management team for a cash consideration of
£350,000.
Bernard Ward, an approved contractor to a number of local
authorities, housing associations and other public
bodies, contributed £13,915 of profits before tax on
turnover of £2,861,740 for the nine months to 31 December
1999.
In the opinion of the Directors of Artisan, having
consulted with their Nominated Adviser, the terms of the
transaction are fair and reasonable so far as the
shareholders of Artisan are concerned.