News Releases

Tokyo, 21 October 2008 – Barclays Capital, the investment banking unit of UK-based Barclays Bank PLC, announces the launch of its equity sales and research capabilities in Japan.  This is part of our global strategic build out of an equity platform following the expansion of Barclays Capital’s US equity business in September.   Japan is the first country in Asia to add scale to its equity platform, with about 100 professionals joining the business.

We are pleased to announce that the following have recently joined Barclays Capital Japan Limited to grow the equity business:

Mr. Kazutoshi Ohkubo, Managing Director and Head of Equity Sales Japan
Mr. Ohkubo was formerly Head of Equity Sales Japan at Lehman Brothers.  Prior to this, he worked at Nomura Research Institute, and at Merrill Lynch where he gained a wealth of experience in building equity related businesses.  Mr. Ohkubo will focus on offering services including Japanese and international equities, and equity related products to institutional investors and hedge funds in both local and overseas markets.

Mr. Koichiro Chiwata, Managing Director and Head of Equity Research Japan
Mr. Chiwata was head of Equity Research and a member of the Executive Committee of Nikko Citigroup Limited, where he worked for 16 years.  After which, he helped build the Tokyo operations for Halberdier Capital Research, a hedge fund.  Before joining Barclays Capital Japan, he was Head of Equity Research at Lehman Brothers, Japan.

In addition, a number of analysts have joined in October, as stated below, many of whom have been highly ranked in the “Nikkei Veritas Analyst Ranking in 2008:

• Mr. Hidenao Miyajima - Chief Strategist
• Mr. Fumiyuki Takahashi - Quantitative Strategy
• Mr. Mikiya Yamada - Chemicals
• Mr. Masanori Maruo - Utilities
• Mr. Toshihide Yoda - Pharmaceuticals
• Mr. Junsuke Senoguchi - Banking
• Mr. Keiichi Yoneshima - Internet
• Ms. Mia Nagasaka - Entertainment
  

With top class expertise in fundamental approach and a global network, the team will offer our clients enhanced services and continue to expand its sector coverage.

Eiji Nakai, President & CEO of Barclays Capital Japan Limited said:  “With the expansion of the US equity business, we have now developed a comprehensive Japan equity platform focused on meeting the needs of our clients both domestically and internationally.”

Robert Morrice, Chairman and Chief Executive, Asia Pacific, Barclays PLC, said: “I am delighted to welcome such a group of talented professionals to the firm in Asia as we grow our equity business across the region.  Today’s announcement means that our clients now have access to a comprehensive range of equity products alongside our expertise in strategic advisory, financing, and risk management.”

About Barclays Capital
Barclays Capital is the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC. With a distinctive business model, Barclays Capital provides large corporate, government and institutional clients with a comprehensive set of solutions to their strategic advisory, financing and risk management needs.  Barclays Capital has offices around the world, employs over 20,000 people and has the global reach, advisory services and distribution power to meet the needs of issuers and investors worldwide. For further information about Barclays Capital, please visit our website www.barclayscapital.com.

Media contact:     

Yu Sakakibara, Barclays Capital Communications
+813 4530 5623