Adams, Harkness & Hill Opens London and Paris Offices, Expands Investment Banking Services Into Europe.

Business Editors

BOSTON, LONDON, PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2001

Adams, Harkness & Hill, the Boston-based investment bank specializing in emerging growth companies, announced today that it has established offices in London, England and Paris, France, through Adams, Harkness & Hill Ltd. The European team's efforts will focus initially on supporting merger and acquisition activities in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

Denis Campbell will head European operations and guide the firm's formal expansion overseas. Prior to joining Adams, Harkness & Hill Ltd., Campbell was one of the three founders of Regent Associates, the UK-based European leading adviser in IT merger and acquisitions. Over the last five years he developed their business in continental Europe based out of Paris.

"Developing a European presence has been one of Adams, Harkness & Hill's key business objectives for several years. With these new offices, we are well on the way to becoming a key global player within the emerging growth marketplace," said Timothy McMahon, managing director and co-head of investment banking at Adams, Harkness & Hill.

In the past two years, nearly 20 percent of the firm's merger and acquisition transactions have involved companies with a European presence. Establishing offices in London and Paris will allow Adams, Harkness & Hill to best service these clients while positioning the firm to pursue trans-Atlantic deal opportunities throughout Europe.

"In recent months, the UK and Europe have experienced a significant increase in the number of publicly traded companies, particularly within the IT and telecommunications sectors," McMahon added. "Adams, Harkness & Hill is building a bridge to allow businesses and capital to connect from both sides of the Atlantic. Denis was our number one choice to lead this initiative. He has a solid, proven track record for success in this part of the world."

Prior to Regent, Campbell spent 12 years in international financial management at Mars Incorporated.

"The quality and depth of services that Adams, Harkness & Hill provides emerging growth companies within its core focus areas is truly impressive. So is the firm's ability to meet the long-term needs of their growing client base. The timing is ideal to take advantage of value differentials between the US and Europe and we anticipate significant mergers and acquisitions activity in our chosen segments," said Campbell, who received a degree in business from the City University in London. "I'm truly delighted to join their ranks."

Adams, Harkness, & Hill is an independent, full-service investment bank focused exclusively on emerging growth companies in the technology, health care and consumer sectors. Backed by its world-class industry research, AH&H offers each client a complete array of investment banking, sales and trading, asset management and corporate services. Uniting its commitment to developing long-term client relationships with its long-standing access to the nation's top portfolio managers, AH&H offers the expertise of a large national investment bank with the personalized attention of a specialized institution. Headquartered in Boston, MA, Adams, Harkness & Hill has West Coast offices in San Francisco, CA and European offices through Adams, Harkness & Hill, Ltd. in London, England and Paris, France. More information is available at www.ahh.com.