Merger Update

RNS Number:2280Y
Evolution Group PLC
5 July 2002

5 July 2002


Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States,
Canada, Japan or Australia.

                            THE EVOLUTION GROUP PLC

RECOMMENDED MERGER OF THE EVOLUTION GROUP PLC ("EVOLUTION") WITH BEESON GREGORY
GROUP PLC ("BEESON GREGORY")

LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCES AND EXTENSION OF THE MERGER OFFER

Evolution announces that at 3.00 pm on 4 July 2002, the first closing date of
the Merger Offer, valid acceptances had been received in respect of a total of
58,982,715 Beeson Gregory Shares, representing approximately 85.34 per cent. of
Beeson Gregory's issued share capital.  Evolution already owns 250,000 Beeson
Gregory Shares and in aggregate, therefore, Evolution has received valid
acceptances in respect of, or owns, a total of 59,232,715 Beeson Gregory Shares,
representing 85.70 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Beeson
Gregory.

These acceptances include valid acceptances in respect of 32,015,147 Beeson
Gregory Shares, representing approximately 46.32 per cent. of Beeson Gregory's
issued share capital, pursuant to irrevocable undertakings to accept the Merger
Offer, given by certain Beeson Gregory Shareholders, the Beeson Gregory
Directors and certain other Beeson Gregory employees as disclosed in the Offer
Document.

Immediately prior to commencement of the Offer Period, Evolution owned 250,000
Beeson Gregory Shares. Since that date and other than as referred to herein,
neither Evolution nor any person acting in concert with Evolution has acquired
or agreed to acquire any Beeson Gregory Shares (or rights over such shares)
other than pursuant to the Merger Offer.

Evolution announces that the Merger Offer for Beeson Gregory has been extended
until 3.00 p.m. on 18 July 2002.

Beeson Gregory Shareholders who have not yet accepted the Merger Offer are urged
to complete and return their Form of Acceptance (and supporting documents) as
soon as possible. Additional Forms of Acceptance are available from Capita IRG
on 0870 162 3100.

Enquiries:


The Evolution Group PLC                              Tel: [phone]
Alex Snow
Richard Griffiths
Graeme Dell

Altium Capital Limited                               Tel: [phone]
Garry Levin
Ben Bailey
Sam Fuller

Hogarth Partnership Limited                          Tel: [phone]
Andrew Jaques
Georgina Briscoe

Beeson Gregory Group PLC                             Tel: [phone]
Andrew Beeson
Charles Byford

UBS Warburg                                          Tel: [phone]
Michael Del Mar
Christopher Fox
Rachael Young

Buchanan Communications                              Tel: [phone]
Richard Oldworth
Nicola Cronk

Terms defined in the Offer Document dated 13 June 2002, have the same meaning in
this press release unless the context otherwise requires.

Altium Capital is acting for Evolution and no one else in connection with the
Merger Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Evolution for
providing the protections afforded to clients of Altium Capital, or for
providing advice in relation to the Merger Offer or the New Evolution Shares.

UBS Warburg is acting for Beeson Gregory and no one else in connection with the
Merger Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Beeson Gregory for
providing the protections afforded to clients of UBS Warburg, nor for providing
advice in relation to the Merger Offer.

This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or
subscribe for any securities.

The Merger Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by
use of the mails of, of by any means or instrumentality (including, without,
limitation, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone or internet) of interstate
or foreign commerce or any facilities of a securities exchange of, the United
States, nor is it being made directly or indirectly, in or into, Canada,
Australia or Japan unless an exemption under any applicable laws is available.



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