Northgate receives OFT clearance for acquisition of Anite Public Sector Holdings Limited.

Northgate Information Solutions today announces that it has received OFT clearance for the acquisition of Anite Public Sector Holdings Limited. The OFT has decided on the information available to it not to refer the offer to the Competition Commission under the provisions of the Enterprise Act.

The decision paves the way for the completion of the deal and confirms Northgate's position as the UK's leading player in the local government, social housing and criminal justice public services markets.

The deal builds on Northgate Public Services' highly successful track record of delivering value through strategic acquisition. This success lies in promoting a performance culture, driving through product innovation and embedding quality through the process of integration.

David Meaden, Chief Executive of Northgate Public Services, said today:

“We are delighted that the OFT has cleared this deal and we anticipate completion later this month. We have an excellent operational management team and a strong track record of successfully integrating eleven acquisitions in the last five years.

“This deal expands our public services business and extends our commitment to support excellence in the public sector at a time when the economic challenges our clients face have never been greater.”

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Notes to editors

1.Northgate Information Solutions is a leading provider of innovative services to the public sector and utilities markets. Northgate's task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology, and to share in the economic and social benefits that this brings.

2.In the UK, the company works with four out of five local authorities and every police force. Northgate supports public service transformation through sustainable performance partnerships. Its services are used in the administration of more than £12 billion of revenues and benefits; in electoral administration systems covering 18 million people; to support the national system for reporting police performance; and in the management of over three million local authority and housing association properties worldwide. Founded in 1969, the company has over 7,000 employees.

3.Anite is a market leader in software and solutions whose primary business is the provision of industry-specific solutions based on its deep sector knowledge of the wireless telecoms, public sector, and travel markets. It is a market leader in software and solutions to key parts of local government, such as social care solutions - as well as an important supplier of secure information solutions (SIS) to the criminal justice markets. Anite Public Sector comprises two businesses: Anite Public Sector Limited (the Anite local government business) and Anite Secure Information Solutions Limited (the SIS business).

4.The Board of Anite announced that the resolution to approve the disposal of Anite Public Sector Holdings Limited, as detailed in the circular sent to shareholders dated 1 August 2008, was passed at a General Meeting on 29 August 2008. The deal is expected to be completed later this month.

For more information:

Kuntal Biswas 020 7395 1517; 07930 566291; kbiswas@fellowsassociates.com