News Release                                                                                                       27^th November 2007

Nine years not out for Barclays Wealth and Guernsey Cricket Association

JUST weeks after the biggest shake up of cricket in the island Barclays Wealth has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Guernsey Cricket Association.

Last month the GCA’s plans to transform the shorter Evening League games to a Twenty20 style game and to introduce a new knockout competition were ratified by the island cricket clubs. Barclays Wealth has now agreed to extend its existing sponsorship of the Evening League for another three years and to sponsor the new knockout competition.

‘Barclays Wealth has been a proud sponsor of the Evening League for the last six years and we are delighted to be able to continue and expand that support as the Guernsey Cricket Association moves into a new and an exciting chapter,’ said director of Barclays Wealth in Guernsey Mark Leaman.

‘Cricket is probably the most popular summer sport in Guernsey and involves hundreds of islanders and their families. This sponsorship represent a further investment by Barclays Wealth, not only in the development of Guernsey cricket but also in a sport that is enjoyed by many, many locals.’

The new structure, which the GCA said in its proposals would freshen the sport up, make games as competitive as possible and helps prepare the island side for the 20-over cricket they will play in the future, sees Divisions One and Two decided under Twenty20 rules and Divisions Three to Five playing 20-over games with existing evening league rules. The competition, which will be known as the Barclays Wealth Twenty20 Evening League, will be played over nine weeks at the height of summer.

The knockout competition will see teams from each division compete for trophies to be named the Barclays Wealth Cup, Trophy, Shield, Vase and Plate. The Barclays Wealth Player of the Month will also continue.

‘The GCA is indebted to Barclays Wealth for their support over the last six years and we are even more so now they have pledged to support our new style league and knockout for 2008, 2009 and 2010. Sponsorship is vital as it allows the GCA to invest in the future of the sport to ensure that it becomes even more popular than it is,’ said president Mark Latter.

Mr Latter added that the new format would prove invaluable in preparing island players for forthcoming international Twenty20 games through the ICC. The inaugural Twenty20 inter-insular was played in September and proceeded the annual country clash as part of the Barclays Wealth Twenty20+ event which raises funds for the Lord Taverners. Barclays Wealth has already agreed to sponsor the charity event in 2008.                                                                                                                         

‘Cricket is a fantastic sport as it brings so many people together, no matter what their age or their background. The support from the clubs for change has been fantastic and with this sponsorship agreement from Barclays Wealth we have finished 2007 on a high and are looking forward to the Barclays Wealth Twenty20 Evening League and the Barclays Wealth Knockout Competition starting next year as Guernsey cricket moves into a new era,’ said Mr Latter.

Photo Caption

Bowled over: Director of Barclays Wealth in Guernsey Mark Leaman and Guernsey Cricket Association President Mark Latter get ready for next season. Barclays Wealth has agreed to sponsor the new format Twenty20 Evening League and Knockout Competition for the next three years.

About Barclays Wealth

Barclays Wealth is the UK's leading wealth manager and at 30 June 2007 had £126.8bn client assets globally. It serves affluent, high net worth and intermediary clients worldwide, providing international and private banking, fiduciary services, investment management and brokerage. Thomas L. Kalaris is the Chief Executive of Barclays Wealth and he joined the business at the start of 2006.

Barclays Wealth is part of the Barclays Group, a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.  It is one of the largest financial services companies in the world by market capitalisation. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 127,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 27 million customers and clients worldwide.

For further information about Barclays Wealth, please visit our website www.barclayswealth.com.