Rise to the Challenge: IR Best Practice Awards

LONDON, April 1, 2010 - The Investor Relations Society today launched its annual Best Practice
Awards competition for 2010. This year we are introducing two new award
categories specifically for websites, recognising their important role as the
primary source of company information for most analysts, shareholders and
prospective investors.

The new awards are:

Best use of a website to communicate and support a Company's investment
proposition

This award will recognise outstanding websites that clearly communicate
the company's investment proposition, and evidence progress through linking
the proposition to business strategy and performance. In the Society's view
this is an area where greater value can be obtained for companies and is
something that is not always done very well!

Most effective use of innovative online technology to support investor
relations communications

In this award we are looking for those companies which have
constructively embraced new technology to help them get their investor
relations message across. We will be looking for tools and technology that
enhance or support the messages; we're not interested in technology for the
sake of it. It must have a valid purpose such as helping web users to gain a
greater depth of understanding.

The Society's Best Practice Guidelines will be updated and published on
30 April and entries to the awards will be accepted from 1 June until 16
July. The winners will be announced at the Society's Annual Dinner on 23
November.

Commenting on the awards, John Dawson, Chairman of the Society's Best
Practice Committee said:

"Promoting and recognising best practice in corporate reporting is at the
heart of the Society's mission. We had an outstanding set of nominations in
2009 but many companies are still reticent about entering their reports and
websites, despite there being some of excellent quality. We are looking for
the best, not the most, but we hope that as many companies as possible will
rise to the best practice challenge and take part in our awards."

A full list of award categories is attached

    Best Practice Awards Categories 2010

    1. Best communication of strategy, performance and KPIs in the annual
       report
    2. Best communication of governance and risk in the annual report
    3. Best communication of corporate responsibility in the annual report
    4. Most improved annual report
    5. Best use of a website to communicate and support a Company's
       investment proposition
    6. Most effective use of innovative online technology to support
       investor relations communications
    7. Best corporate website

       - FTSE 100
       - FTSE 250
       - Small Cap & AIM
       - International

    8. Award for the most effective overall Annual Report (printed and
       online)

       - FTSE 100
       - FTSE 250
       - Small Cap and AIM
       - International

Entry forms and guidance notes will be available from the Society or on
the website www.irs.org.uk from 30 April 2010.

Investor Relations Society contact:

Michael Mitchell - General Manager +44(0)20-7379-1763

Investor Relations Society contact: Michael Mitchell - General Manager +44(0)20-7379-1763