Robert L. Berner III Joins CVC Capital Partners

Business Wire, March 12, 2007

NEW YORK -- CVC Capital Partners ("CVC"), a leading global private equity firm with $24 billion in assets under management, today announced Robert L. Berner III is joining the firm as a Partner. Mr. Berner joins CVC from Ripplewood, where he was a Managing Director since 2001. Previously, he was a Managing Director with Charterhouse and a principal in Morgan Stanley's Mergers & Acquisitions department. Mr. Berner will be based in New York.

With 17 offices around the world, CVC has one of the most extensive global networks in private equity. In January 2007, CVC announced the expansion of its global network with the formation of its office in New York.

"We are delighted to have Rob joining our team to expand our operations in the U.S. and to help build our new office in New York," said Michael Smith, Chairman of CVC Capital Partners Group. "Establishing our U.S. operations with partners the caliber of Chris and Rob demonstrates CVC's commitment to this market," continued Mr. Smith.

"I am looking forward to working with Rob as we meaningfully build CVC in the U.S.," said Christopher Stadler, Managing Partner and Head of the U.S. Office. "Rob's experience and expertise will be invaluable as we begin to develop our business in this market."

"I am excited to be joining CVC and to be a part of the firm's entry into the U.S. CVC is a first class organization with a strong culture based on 25 years of private equity experience across 17 country offices," said Mr. Berner. "I look forward to working with the team and to the challenge of bringing CVC's vast resources to bear in extending the franchise into America."

In 2006, CVC completed nine transactions in Europe and Asia, investing a total of US$2.7 billion in equity capital. CVC's current total funds are in excess of US$15 billion. This ranks CVC among the top five private equity firms worldwide and CVC continues to be one of a limited number of firms that is capable of bidding on the largest global businesses.

Recent investments by CVC include: Flint Group, based in Europe and the U.S., is the largest privately-owned ink manufacturer in the world and ranks amongst the largest ink companies in every region it serves; Formula One Group, based in the UK, is the world's leading motor racing business; Elster Group, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is the world's largest manufacturer of the utility meters used to measure the energy, gas, and water consumption of residential and industrial customers, with a particular focus on Western Europe and North America; PBL Media, based in Australia, brings together the Nine Network, the number one television network in Australia, and ACP, the leading Australian magazine company, with more than 100 titles (Cosmopolitan, Woman's Weekly).

About CVC Capital Partners:

Founded in 1981, CVC Capital Partners is a leading international private equity and investment advisory firm. Funds advised by CVC have acquired more than 236 companies to date for total consideration of more than US$85.4 billion. Since 1996, CVC has raised and managed funds exceeding US$24 billion and its seventh fund, CVC European Equity Partners Tandem Fund, closed in January 2007 raising US$5.4 billion.

CVC operates a network of 17 offices in Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Stockholm, Zurich, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo.