Ecclesiastl.8fe Regulatory News (ELLA)

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc

( "the Company")

07.00 18 November 2010

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

Potential further issue of 8.625% preference shares

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc announces that it is considering a further issue of 8.625 per cent. non-cumulative irredeemable preference shares so that it can take increased advantage of growth opportunities in its core markets. At the same time, this will also leave the Company in a stronger position ahead of anticipated regulatory changes (specifically the Solvency II Directive) and the potential requirement for increased regulatory capital in the future.

Improving investment market conditions and fewer large one-off events than during the first half of the year have resulted in a more positive outlook for the full year, although the Group is still operating under challenging market conditions.

In line with the Company's strategy to reduce non-core operations, the London Market business ceased underwriting on 30 September 2010 and will run off over the next few years. Ecclesiastical Life Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is in the process of disposing of a majority part of its life business to a third party.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Enquiries:

This announcement appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security.

The Company is incorporated under the laws of England and Wales with registration number 00024869.

The distribution of this announcement and the non-cumulative irredeemable preference shares ("NCIP Shares") in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and such distribution or participation could result in a violation of the laws of such jurisdictions. In particular, there are restrictions on the distribution of this announcement and participation in the NCIP share issue in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any restrictions and legal requirements in relation to the distribution of this announcement and their participation in the proposals described in this announcement.

The NCIP Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under the applicable securities laws of any State of the United States or under the securities laws of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or any State, province or territory thereof or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the NCIP Shares may not be taken up, offered, sold, resold, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within, into or from the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with the securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction of the United States. None of the NCIP Shares may be taken up, offered, sold, resold, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within, into or from Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or to, or for the account or benefit of, any person with a registered address in, or who is resident or ordinarily resident in, or a citizen, of such jurisdictions except pursuant to an applicable exemption.

This announcement is directed only at (i) persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC) ("Qualified Investors"); and (ii) in the United Kingdom, Qualified Investors: (a) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); (b) who are high net worth persons or entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (c) to persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be distributed (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons") and persons who receive this announcement who are not relevant persons should not rely on or act upon this announcement. Any investment activity to which this announcement relates will only be available to relevant persons and will only be engaged in with relevant persons.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation to subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of securities in the Company in any jurisdiction. The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe or purchase, any investments nor shall it (or the fact of its distribution) form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof.

This announcement may include certain "forward-looking statements" including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of the group, or industry results, to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, potential investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements apply only as at the date of this announcement. Subject to its legal and regulatory obligations, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based unless required to do so by any appropriate regulatory authority or by law.

All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The value of investments may fluctuate. This announcement is not intended to constitute legal, tax or accounting advice or investment recommendation. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. Statements contained in this announcement that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon.

Collins Stewart Europe Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting as joint financial adviser, bookrunner and broker to Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc and is acting for no-one else in connection with the contents of this announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc for providing the protections afforded to clients of Collins Stewart Europe Limited nor for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein. Collins Stewart Europe Limited is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. This does not exclude or limit the responsibilities, if any, which Collins Stewart Europe Limited may have under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or the regulatory regime established thereunder.