Coats Group Plc Regulatory News (COA)

Guinness Peat Group plc

("GPG" or the "Company")

Close period share repurchase programme

Guinness Peat Group plc announces that, further to its previous announcements of 3 September 2012 and 25 October 2012 in relation to its up to £70 million share buyback programme currently being effected by Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited (Macquarie) in conjunction with other Macquarie affiliates acting as Macquarie's agent (including Macquarie Securities (New Zealand) Limited), the Company has entered into a supplementary irrevocable and non-discretionary agreement with Macquarie to purchase, within certain pre-set parameters and in reliance on the exemption to the general rule set out in UKLA Listing Rule 12.2.1 (2), ordinary shares in the Company for cancellation during the Company's close period commencing on 1 January 2013 and ending on the date the Company releases it preliminary announcement of its annual results for the period to 31 December 2012, currently scheduled for 27 February 2013 (the "Close Period").

During the Close Period Macquarie will make its trading decisions in relation to the Company's ordinary shares independently of, and uninfluenced by, the Company.

During the Close Period, for regulatory reasons, Macquarie and its agents will not be able to purchase shares in Australia or on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Following the Close Period the share buyback programme is anticipated to continue on its previously announced terms.

Any purchases will be effected in accordance with both the Company's general authority to repurchase shares and Chapter 12 of the UKLA Listing Rules.

Chris HealyCompany SecretaryGuinness Peat Group plcTel: +44 20 7484 3370

31 December 2012

Enquiry details are:

New Zealand and Australian media: Geoff Senescall +64 9 309 5659UK media: Kevin Smith on: +44 20 7282 1054