Directorate Change and New Appointments (9429X)

TIDMVSA

RNS Number : 9429X

VSA Capital Group PLC

23 February 2012

AIM: VSA

VSA Capital Group plc

("VSA Capital Group" or "the Group")

Directorate Change and New Appointments

23 February 2012

Change of Non-Executive Chairman

VSA Capital Group, the AIM listed natural resources focused investment banking and institutional broking firm, announces the appointment of Gavin Casey as Non-Executive Chairman with effect from 2 April 2012.

Gavin, 65, has extensive experience in the financial services industry. He became Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and in the ensuing four years the Exchange was transformed from a loss-making mutual society into a highly profitable public company. Previously, from 1989, Gavin was Group Finance Director and, latterly, Chief Operating Officer of international securities house Smith New Court until it was sold to Merrill Lynch in 1995.

Lyndon Chapman will be stepping down as Non-Executive Chairman to concentrate on his other business interests, but will work with Gavin to ensure a smooth transition between now and 2 April 2012.

Andrew Monk, Chief Executive of VSA Capital Group, commented:

"We are delighted that Gavin has agreed to join the board of the Company and believe that his experience will be of considerable benefit to the Group as it continues its growth strategy and pursues its aim of creating a leading independent investment bank focused on natural resources.

On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Lyndon for his significant contribution to the Group since it was founded in 2004 and, in particular, for successfully guiding it through the period of change from a software distribution company to a financial services business. "

Recruitment at VSA Capital Limited ("VSA")

VSA, the Group's principal operating subsidiary, is pursuing its strategy of commencing secondary trading, applying for Nominated Adviser status with the London Stock Exchange and continuing the recruitment of additional quality staff to fulfil its aim of becoming a leading institutional broking and investment banking firm in London focused on natural resources.

James Pinner, Derek Crowhurst and Peter Trevelyan-Clark have agreed to join VSA from the Nomad and Main Market Sponsor department of Religare Capital Markets UK Limited ("Religare") to add to the company's existing capabilities in Corporate Finance and to assist in servicing the needs of VSA's growing corporate client base.

VSA submitted a Variation of Permissions application to the FSA in November 2011 and is planning to commence secondary trading in the second quarter of its next financial year. In line with that strategy, Neil Ridley has also agreed to join VSA from Religare at the beginning of April as VSA's new Head of Trading.

The Group is also encouraged by the fact that VSA has begun to receive commission sharing arrangement ("CSA") payments for the research products that have been developed and distributed to institutional investors over the last 12 months.

Pursuant to AIM Rule 17, Schedule Two paragraph (g), the following information is disclosed in respect of Gavin Casey's appointment:

Gavin Frank Casey currently holds 975,000 ordinary shares in the capital of VSA Capital Group and is currently a director of Gardant Communications Limited.

Within the last five years he has been a director of:

   --     Arvato Credit Solutions Limited 
   --     Astaire Group Limited 
   --     Baronsmead VCT 5 Plc 
   --     The Crucible Debt Purchase Company Limited 
   --     Eco Animal Health Group Plc 
   --     EDM Group (Holdings) Limited 
   --     IDH Group Limited 
   --     VTB Capital PLC 

There is nothing further which is required to be announced pursuant to the AIM Rules.

For further information, please contact:

VSA Capital Group plc

   Andrew Monk, CEO or Peter Joy, FD                       020 3005 5000 

Blythe Weigh Communications

   Tim Blythe/Ana Ribeiro/Matthew Neal                 020 7138 3204 

Shore Capital and Corporate Limited

   Bidhi Bhoma or Toby Gibbs                                         020 7408 4090 

Rivington Street Corporate Finance

   Jon Levinson                                                                      020 7562 3357 

NOTES TO EDITORS

VSA Capital Group plc is an international investment banking and institutional broking group headquartered in London. Via its subsidiary, VSA Capital Limited, the group provides corporate finance, broking, research, sales and capital raising capabilities to companies in the natural resources sectors; Oil & Gas, Mining, Agriculture and Timber. VSA Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the FSA and advises companies listed in London (AIM and the Main Market), Canada (TSX) Australia (ASX) and the USA (OTCBB) with assets on every continent. The firm currently has 20 retained corporate clients with an aggregate market value of over $1bn.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

MSCEAPAAAAKAEFF