Maiden break from Sanctuary Management

[M_Riot]

For immediate release: 3 November 2006

The Sanctuary Group plc announces that Iron Maiden have not renewed their management agreement with the Company but have signed a new long term contract for tour, retail and licensing of merchandising rights Worldwide with Sanctuary owned Bravado and have signed the band to a new recording agreement for the USA for their new album A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH which Sanctuary Records has just charted at No 9 in the Billboard charts, marking the first US Top Ten debut for both the band and the label. It was also No 1 there in the Independent Label Chart. Sanctuary Records already has USA rights to the majority of Maiden’s extensive and valuable catalogue and will continue to coordinate with the band the release of new product based on that catalogue.

Rod Smallwood, who co-founded Sanctuary in the late 70's, discovered Iron Maiden in 1979 and managed them ever since, will also leave Sanctuary simultaneously and will continue to manage the band at his new company Phantom Music Management. Mr Smallwood will also be retained as a consultant to Sanctuary for an initial 6 month period.

Comments Sanctuary Group CEO Frank Presland:

"Although we are obviously sad to see the band and Rod depart from a Management and Company standpoint we are delighted to be able to continue with the band long term as their worldwide merchandiser and US Label. Maiden are renowned as one of the biggest grossing bands in the World in all aspects of merchandising with their distinctive Eddie T-shirts worn by multitudes of fans everywhere and for record breaking merchandising grosses at major venues all over the World. Our label is also delighted to show what it can do by putting the band's new album in the Billboard Top 10 for the first time, at a time when the band are rapidly increasing their US record selling and touring base. The Maiden catalogue has always been our biggest seller in America and we look forward to a fruitful ongoing relationship on this and new product based on the catalogue

"The parting with Rod and Maiden is entirely amicable and we are delighted that Rod has made himself available to Sanctuary as a consultant and look forward to a long a valuable relationship with him and the band. All at Sanctuary wish them both the very best for the future."

Adds Rod Smallwood:

"Its obviously a bit of a wrench leaving Sanctuary after all these years but at this time in my career and with the band's ever increasing International stature it makes total sense for me to concentrate on developing the band's huge potential in the many areas of what is now a very complex and time consuming business. The band and l leave many friends at Sanctuary and we wish them and the company every success in the future and look forward the continuing successful relationships in merchandising and US Records".