118 Group Gets Plc Status As It Prepares For Major Growth Ahead Of Planned Aim Float.

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 26, 2006 – Daniel Corby founder and CEO 118 Group prepares for expansion with plc status as 118trades, 118mobile and 118telecom all prepare for growth

The fast growing business services group, 118 Group, based in Chelmsford, United Kingdom with offices in Harlow and Salt Lake City is preparing for a major expansion programme and has formed a new holding company 118 Group Holdings plc ahead of the planned AIM float in 2007 / 2008. The holding company 118 Group Holdings plc will own the various operating businesses within the group, which now take in 118trades, 118gethitched, 118telecoms, Car Auto, Fido Local and 118mobile.

Speaking about the plc status, Daniel Corby, the founder and CEO said, “118 Group has created a very successful business model in the UK and is now preparing for a planned AIM float, which could happen as early as 2007 / 2008. 118 Group holdings plc is the new holding company, which now takes in 118trades - the UK directory service, 118mobile – a new mobile phone offering aimed exclusively at business connections, 118gethitched – a wedding directory service, 118telecoms – a reseller of memorable numbers, Car Auto – a new service to match buyers to sellers in the used car business, Fido Local – a free issue magazine with local content and other business interests due for launch in 2007.

Our growth for the coming year will come from all trading divisions of the 118 group, with strong growth forecast from 118trades, 118mobile and 118telecom as the business prepares to open a new state of the art customer contact centre in Chelmsford. We expect to create around 350 new jobs in the Chelmsford area and around 30 new jobs in Harlow. Our call centre in India will match the growth in the UK with a focus on Car Auto and 118mobile. This is an incredibly exciting time for the 118 group”

Notes to editors

118 Group was founded in 2005 with the launch of 118trades. 118trades is the UK’s leading directory service of tradespeople and businesses with checkable references and has around 40,000 members. Other 118 branded businesses have now been developed. 118mobile and 118telecom will be operated from the new call centre in Chelmsford. The group board has recently been strengthened with the appointment of business veteran, Richard Allen to the group as Chairman, and Hugh Craen as non executive director. Richard Allen was previously CEO of Perry Group plc, and Hugh Craen floated Potential Finance Group plc on AIM in 2000. The main board also includes Bradley Chapman, who previously held senior positions with both Zenith Conservatories and Compass International. Daniel Corby, founder and CEO was previously Sales Director at phones4u and Retail Director at The Tanning Shop, part of Bodycare International.

www.118trades.com
www.118gethitched.com
www.118telecoms.com
www.the118group.com
www.carauto.co.uk
www.fidolocal.com