Close Brothers Backs Alex Stewart MBO

Close Brothers Private Equity has sponsored the management buyout of Alex Stewart (Assayers) Ltd. from the Alex Stewart Group. ASA is a UK-based provider of verification of the quantity and quality of commodity shipments, as well as assessment of samples for mining exploration. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is being partially financed by debt from Barclays. www.cbpel.com www.alexstewart.com< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />