Marathon Asset Management to Become New Majority Shareholder of The Executive Centre

Marathon Asset Management to Become New Majority Shareholder of The Executive Centre

September 25, 2007

Asia's Largest Private Serviced Office Operator Poised for
Next Phase of Growth in Asia


    HONG KONG, Sept. 25 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
Executive Centre, one of Asia's largest serviced office
operators, today announced the completion of a management
buyout that will enable the company to achieve its
strategic vision and growth plans in Asia.  The deal is
backed by the alternative investment manager Marathon Asset
Management LLC, which will partner with the current
management team of The Executive Centre.  

    The Executive Centre's Chief Executive Officer, Paul
Salnikow, welcomed the new majority shareholder to the
register.  

    "Marathon is an excellent partner for The
Executive Centre, and will assist us in the next phase of
our growth plans by bringing capital, management expertise
and a commitment to the existing management's vision of
growing our footprint in Asia," he said.  

    With 21 locations throughout Asia, The Executive Centre
is the region's premium serviced office operator focused on
core Central Business District locations and buildings in
which it creates top grade serviced office centres that are
managed and staffed by service professionals who are
dedicated to delivering the highest standards of support
for its clients.  

    "Our goal is to be the best serviced office
company in the best locations serving the best client base.
With Marathon Asset Management as our shareholder, we now
have the means to deliver this vision," continued Mr.
Salnikow.  

    The Executive Centre has grown over the last six years
to become one of the largest serviced office operators in
Asia with the region's third largest network.  

    Robert Kraybill, Asia Head of Private Finance for
Marathon Asset Management, said: "We constantly look
for excellent management to partner with, who are committed
to owning, operating and growing their businesses. In The
Executive Centre, we have found such a partner.  We look
forward to supporting the management of The Executive
Centre in its continued growth."

    Lehman Brothers acted as financial adviser to the
management team of The Executive Centre.  

    About The Executive Centre

    The Executive Centre is Asia's leading premium serviced
office operator.  With 21 locations throughout Asia, of
which 12 are located in China, The Executive Centre is at
the cutting edge of the serviced office industry, operating
a dynamic and rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific network.  

    Established in 1994, The Executive Centre has expanded
to 10 major cities in Asia and Europe.  These locations
include Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Jakarta, Sydney and Sofia.  The company now
commands leading market shares in Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Taipei and Seoul, with rapid expansion in Beijing and
Singapore, and is the only international serviced office
provider operating in Taipei.  

    The Executive Centre provides premium, on-demand office
accommodation, virtual office representation services,
meeting facilities, and a broad range of business support
services.  With 150 staff throughout Asia, The Executive
Centre serves over 4,000 corporate clients daily,
generating a turnover of US$40 million per annum.  

    For more information, please visit:
http://www.executivecentre.com 

    About Marathon Asset Management LLC
    
    Marathon Asset Management LLC is a global alternative
investment and asset management company with over US$9.5
billion in capital under management.  Founded in 1998,
Marathon is a global organization with offices in New York
City, London and Singapore and satellites in Los Angeles,
Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, Mumbai and Sao Paulo.  
    
    Marathon employs 160 professionals worldwide. The
firm's investment management team specialises in global
debt, equity and real estate.  

    For more information, please visit: 
http://www.marathonfund.com
    
    About Lehman Brothers

    Lehman Brothers, an innovator in global finance, serves
the financial needs of corporations, governments and
municipalities, institutional clients, and high net worth
individuals worldwide.  Founded in 1850, Lehman Brothers
maintains leadership positions in equity and fixed income
sales, trading and research, investment banking, private
investment management, asset management and private equity.
 The Firm is headquartered in New York, with regional
headquarters in London and Tokyo, and operates in a network
of offices around the world.  


    For more information, please contact Edelman:

     Eda Yek
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]