Intercede Group plc Reaches 23rd on Deloitte Midlands Technology Fast 50 List

Lutterworth, Leicestershire, United Kingdom—December 02, 2003— Deloitte, the UK's fastest growing professional services firm, has unveiled its sixth annual ranking of the Midlands' fastest growing technology companies. Intercede Group plc was placed 23rd in the region's rankings.

Deloitte created the Technology Fast 50 to reach out to UK technology companies and champion innovation in the sector. The programme tracks the growth rates of technology companies in seven regions in the UK and Ireland, culminating in a national ranking in December 2003. This year's event is sponsored locally by UK law firm, Pinsents, and nationally by Hewlett-Packard, the global provider of technology products and services; SCC, part of Europe's largest privately-owned technology group; and the London Stock Exchange.

The Technology Fast 50 programme seeks out those companies that have shown impressive growth rates in the telecommunications, hardware, software and biotechnology markets over a three-year period. This year's programme considered growth between 2000 and 2002. All companies considered for the award must be headquartered in the Midlands region, must be technology-intensive or use unique technology in problem solving, or must devote a high percentage of effort to research and development.

Chris Robertson, Technology, Media and Telecoms partner for Deloitte in the Midlands, said: "The Fast 50 programme has always been a reliable indicator of whether British innovation is leading to more growth and wealth creation. These companies have demonstrated how to survive and thrive in today's market by helping their customers reduce their costs and improve their performance. We are delighted that our sponsors have joined us in encouraging fast-growing companies to showcase their businesses and to contribute to the next wave of innovation in the UK's technology sector."

Andrew Hornigold, Corporate Partner at Pinsents and Head of the firm's Technology Chosen Market, said: "We would like to congratulate this year's winners and applaud their achievements. Despite challenging trading conditions over the last 12 months they have shown tremendous revenue growth and performance. Their remarkable tenacity, innovation and dedication is an inspiration to all and proves that Midlands companies continue to offer cutting-edge solutions to their clients world-wide."

Richard Parris, Chairman and CEO of Intercede, stated: "We are extremely happy to have been included in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 listing for the third year running. This award proves that Intercede's products and solutions are highly sought after in the smart card and identity management market place."

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About Intercede
Intercede Group plc is a leading developer and supplier of smart card and identity management software and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (IGP LN) (IGP.L). Intercede's edefice™ provides OEM partners, service providers and end-user organisations with the tools required to quickly deploy, maintain and manage smart cards, hardware and software tokens, biometrics, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology, applets and other digital credentials. Intercede's customers cover a range of industries and include ActivCard, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Barclays Bank, Colt Telecommunications, Datakey, Fujitsu Services, Lloyds TSB, the NHS, Royal Bank of Scotland and a number of US Federal Government agencies.

For more information, visit Intercede's home page at http://www.intercedegroup.com/ , call +44 (0) 1455 558 111 or Email info@intercede.com

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Programme
The programme consists of a series of regional programmes covering the East, London & South East, Midlands, South West & South Wales, the North and Scotland and Ireland. Each region will host an awards ceremony to honour the 50 fastest growing technology companies in their areas in October and November. Following the regional programmes, Deloitte will publish a national ranking of the UK's Technology Fast 50 companies.

Eligibility criteria for the Technology Fast 50

Considered a technology company defined as:

The Technology Fast 50 programme was originally started in San Jose, the centre of Silicon Valley, California in 1995 and has expanded across the globe in the last six years. Both the regional Technology Fast 50 and the national Technology Fast 500 were created to recognise the outstanding contribution of fast growing technology companies to the US economy.

For further information, visit http://www.fast50.co.uk
Deloitte & Touche LLP

In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is the UK's fastest growing major professional services firm based in 21 UK locations, with over 10,000 staff nationwide and fee income of £1,228 million in 2002/2003. It is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a leading professional services organisation, delivering world class audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services, with around 120,000 people in over 140 countries. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

For further information, visit our website at www.deloitte.co.uk