RNS Number:8017Q
Vantis PLC
13 October 2003

For Immediate Release                                           13 October 2003

                                   Vantis plc
                          ("Vantis" or the "Company")

      Acquisition of the non-audit business of Wheawill & Sudworth London

Vantis, the AIM listed accountancy and professional advisory group, is pleased
to announce the acquisition of the non-audit business of Wheawill & Sudworth
London ("WS").

WS is a long established, seven-partner firm based in London. It brings to
Vantis complementary strengths in forensic accounting, particularly expert
witness and litigation, the IT and restaurant/catering sectors, together with
expertise in accountancy outsourcing, business and taxation services.

The seven partners of the WS team, plus their support staff, join Vantis and
will shortly relocate to the Vantis City office. This will improve cost
efficiency and facilitate rapid integration into Vantis. WS historically has a
presence in the Thames Valley. Working closely under the leadership of David
Rankin of Vantis, it is the intention to strengthen existing client
relationships and increase the Vantis presence in this important geographical
area.

The unaudited partnership accounts of WS show that in the year ended 31 March
2003, WS generated profits attributable to the partners of #1.065 million on
turnover of approximately #2.8 million. Under the terms of the acquisition of
WS, Vantis will acquire maximum net assets of #0.564 million.

The above results include the audit business of WS, which is not being acquired
by Vantis. The Directors of Vantis estimate that WS's non-audit turnover being
acquired amounts to approximately #2.5 million per annum, from which Vantis
expects a continuing pre-tax  contribution on an annualised basis to be
approximately #1 million after accounting for some of the cost savings arising
from the integration process, but after charging remuneration for the continuing
partners of WS.

The maximum consideration for the acquisition will be #4.25 million.  This is to
be satisfied, on completion, with a cash payment of #1.436 million.  The balance
of the consideration is mostly deferred over the two year period to 30th
September 2005 and is dependent upon the performance of WS over the period to
30th September 2006.

Commenting on the acquisition, Paul Jackson, Chief Executive, Vantis said:

"Wheawill & Sudworth London is an exceptional firm. This acquisition further
strengthens and broadens the scope of our operation within central London. In
addition to its experienced personnel and well established client base, WS
brings high-level expertise to the Vantis group, particularly in forensic
accounting and services to and with the IT and restaurant/catering sectors.

"This is an exciting acquisition for us. Not only will current Vantis clients
benefit from the new skills and services WS bring to the group, but their client
base will have access to the wide range of specialist skills already available
within Vantis, including corporate finance, management consultancy (embracing
sports), business recovery, customs duty recovery and advisory services, asset
finance, independent financial advice, and membership of our international
alliance, Inpact."

                                    - ENDS -



For further information, please contact:

Paul Jackson, Chief Executive

Paul Ashton Executive Director, M&A

Vantis plc                                    020 7417 0417

Richard Darby/Suzanne Brocks

Buchanan Communications                       020 7466 5000



Notes to Editors

1.      Vantis plc is the AIM listed accounting and business advisory group that
specialises in helping business people improve the performance of their
businesses.

2.      The Vantis group offers a range of specialist skills, including taxation
services, accountancy, management consultancy, business recovery, corporate
finance, outsourcing, asset finance and independent financial advice.

3.      The Vantis group has over 380 staff operating from 13 offices throughout
England and is a member of INPACT, the international network of professional
accountants, which has worldwide representation of 155 firms in 61 countries.



                      This information is provided by RNS
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