Matterhorn Capital Data Centres ("MCDC" or "the Company") GBP250 Million Investment in new Data Centre Sites

LONDON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MCDC, the data centre division of Matterhorn Capital, formally announces a GBP250 million investment in two landmark data centre sites in South East England. The investment comprises purchase of the sites and construction capital expenditure. Both new data centre sites have full planning consent.

The sites in Bury Green, Hertfordshire, and Chesham, Buckinghamshire, will house over 180,000 sq ft of data hall space and will showcase the latest design of data centres in Europe, strengthening the UK's position as the data centre capital of Europe. MCDC's Chesham site is the only UK data centre site with onsite power, while Bury Green is currently in negotiations with a power provider and the discussions are expected to conclude shortly. New state of the art sites, such as those owned by MCDC, are designed to meet a complete range of commercial needs, while providing clients with far greater efficiency, thereby reducing power requirement.

Recent research published by Microsoft suggests that annual global spending in data centre construction will increase from circa $50 billion today to about $78 billion by 2020. MCDC's investment in the sites at Bury Green and Chesham represent the first major UK spend on new data centre construction for the wholesale market in the London area during the last eighteen months.

The area immediately surrounding Greater London, capable of synchronicity with the City of London, currently represents the largest single data centre market in Europe, with total raised floor space forecast to increase to 300,000 square metres by 2015 (1). Many firms needing data centre space are based in London, and locations in the South East enable their data to be quickly and easily reinforced in an emergency. Moreover, London's premier position for data centres reflects the capital's financial services capability, and flexibility for multinational business.

Matterhorn Capital is a privately owned business established in 2004, following on from the success of St James Capital (established in 1999). The investments at Bury Green and Chesham, made through its data centre arm, MCDC, further extend the portfolio beyond leisure, retail, commercial, and residential development and into the growing data centre market. These investments follow Matterhorn Capital's disposal of Earls Court and Olympia to Liberty International plc and Liberty PLC in 2009.

John Lennon of MCDC said: "Matterhorn's financial strength and property experience, combined with our sector knowledge, bolster our position as a strong UK player in the data centre market. Our investment in premium site locations, with state of the art resources, enables us to offer superior facilities in secure locations to a growing market."

Mark Larard (Director, Data Centre Advisory Group) said in the Jones Lang LaSalle Data Centre Barometer: "The purchase of the Chesham and Bury Green sites by Matterhorn Capital could prove significant for the market going forwards. These two sites will account for over 180,000sq ft of technical space, which could provide a very critical niche in the market, at a time when there is little construction and growing demand."

Notes to editors:

(1) Source: http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk

About Matterhorn Capital Data Centres

Matterhorn Capital Data Centres is a privately owned property fund, domiciled in Luxembourg. Matterhorn Capital's commercial offerings comprise property investment and development across the UK and internationally, and has included high-profile investments in Earls Court and Olympia. Over the last five years, St James Capital, Matterhorn Capital and/or companies controlled by the shareholders have undertaken in the region of c. GBP2.0 billion of transactions in the UK, Europe and United States. A simple board structure allows for swift decisions on any approvals, whether it relates to finance, purchasing, selling or structuring transactions. This leads to rapid deal closure.

For further information on Matterhorn Capital Data Centres visit http://www.matterhorndatacentres.co.uk

Enquiries:

    
    Matterhorn Capital Data Centres               T. +44(0)20-7908-3910
 
    http://www.matterhorndatacentres.co.uk
    John Lennon/Lloyd Simon
    Temple Bar Advisory                           T. +44(0)20-7002-1080
    Tom Allison/Joanna Crawford