News Releases

Hong Kong, 14 April 2010 – Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sigurbjorn “Siggi” Thorkelsson as Managing Director, Head of Equities, Asia Pacific. The appointment of Mr. Thorkelsson is a significant step in the strategic expansion of the firm’s Equities business in Asia and globally.

In his role, Mr. Thorkelsson will oversee the firm’s Equities business across Asia Pacific, focusing on developing a full service equities franchise and delivering world class solutions for clients. Based in Hong Kong, he will be a member of the Equities Executive Committee and of the Asia Pacific Executive Committee. He will report to New York-based Gerald Donini, Head of Global Equities.

Mr. Thorkelsson has served in a number of leadership equity roles during his 18-year career. Most recently, he was Head of Equities, Asia-Pacific at Nomura. Prior to that position, he spent 13 years at Lehman Brothers where he was Head of Equities, Asia-Pacific, and led the development of that firm’s Equity Derivatives business both in the U.S. and Europe.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Donini said, "We are delighted to bring on board an equities professional of Siggi's standing. His proven expertise in growing integrated equities businesses and strong client relationships makes him the ideal candidate to drive forward this important part of our global equities business. His leadership will help to enhance our client offering and accelerate the strong momentum we have across Asia Pacific.”

Barclays Capital is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Sandeford as Managing Director, Head of Cash Equities Trading, Non-Japan Asia, and Jeremy Norris as Managing Director, Head of Sales Trading, Non-Japan Asia. Their appointments further accelerate the expansion of Barclays Capital's Asian Equities business, which will extend the firm’s range of world class risk management, financing and advisory capabilities offered to clients.

Mr. Sandeford will be responsible for cash equities trading across all Asia ex-Japan markets, including Australia and India. He will be based in Hong Kong and will report to Mr. Thorkelsson. Mr. Sandeford joins from CQS in London. Previously, he was Head of Non-Japan Asia Sales and Trading for Credit Suisse.

Mr. Norris joins from CLSA in Hong Kong, where he was Global Head of Equities Trading. As Head of Sales Trading, Non-Japan Asia, Mr. Norris will be responsible for sales trading and execution across all of Asia ex-Japan. He will be based in Hong Kong and will report to David Campbell, Head of North Asia distribution.

These appointments demonstrate Barclays Capital’s track record of attracting top talent to its Asian equities business, which include, most recently, the appointment of Steven O’Sullivan, who joined the firm in February as Head of Equity Research for Non-Japan Asia, and Anthony Davies, who joined in January as Head of Asia Generalist Sales for Non-Japan Asia. In September 2009, Barclays Capital appointed James Chen as Head of Programme Trading, Asia Pacific, and Michael Kim as Head of Electronic Equities Product Management, Asia Pacific. In November2009, Simon Haynes-Oliver joined as Head of Convertibles Sales, Asia, and in May 2009, Timothy Last joined as Head of Flow Derivative Sales Asia ex-Japan.

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 full spectrum of solutions to their strategic advisory, financing and risk management needs. Barclays Capital has offices around the world, employs over 23,000 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.