First close for Europe’s largest private equity fund

Note: This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Interests in Permira IV (or in any entity being formed to invest in Permira IV) may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. No public offering of such securities will be made in the United States.

4 July 2006: Permira has announced the first closing of a new fund, Permira IV, at just over €10 billion. Further commitments from a number of structured products are expected to take the fund to its agreed cap of approximately €11 billion ($14 billion). The closing makes Permira IV the largest fund ever raised by a European private equity firm and one of the largest globally. The closing confirms Permira’s position as one of a very small number of genuinely international private equity firms, with its six offices in Europe and one in each of New York and Tokyo. The fund will focus on large and complex buy-outs in Europe, the US and Japan, with a particular emphasis on international transactions. Damon Buffini, Managing Partner of Permira, said: “This fund puts Permira in a leading position in the market. As with previous funds, Permira IV will help to build stronger and more focused companies that can thrive in the ever more competitive international business environment.” The fundraising was completed in approximately three months from the time the Information Memorandum was issued in March to the date the fund was closed to new applications in June. The fund was significantly oversubscribed and allocations are still being finalised. Press contacts Permira Kurt Björklund +46 (8) 503 122 00 Citigate Stockholm Niklas Alm +46 (8) 78 80 08 Notes to Editors