Murray International is to become the new team sponsor of the Scotland national rugby team. The£2.7million deal was announced today (Monday, 3 September 2007) by Scottish Rugby, and Murray chairman David Murray at a media conference at Murrayfield. The sponsorship, which commences from 1 November 2007, runs for three years and carries an option to extend for a further period. It will replace the 17-year-long association with The Famous Grouse which bowed out as Scotland shirt sponsor at last month’s Bank of Scotland Corporate Test match with South Africa but retains an association with Scottish Rugby as official spirit partner after the World Cup.Murray International is to become the new team sponsor of the Scotland national rugby team. The£2.7million deal was announced today (Monday, 3 September 2007) by Scottish Rugby, and Murray chairman David Murray at a media conference at Murrayfield. The sponsorship, which commences from 1 November 2007, runs for three years and carries an option to extend for a further period. It will replace the 17-year-long association with The Famous Grouse which bowed out as Scotland shirt sponsor at last month’s Bank of Scotland Corporate Test match with South Africa but retains an association with Scottish Rugby as official spirit partner after the World Cup. The first home on-field appearance of the new playing shirts, with the Murray name, will be at the RBS Six Nations match with France in February next year, although the full range of branded merchandise will be available in the run-up to Christmas. The new playing shirts will be seen in action for the first time on the IRB World Series 7s circuit’s opening tournament in Dubai at the end of November. Gordon McKie, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby, said: “This is fantastic news for Scottish rugby just before the team heads off to France for the World Cup. It is particularly pleasing that we have replaced one of Scotland’s best known brands with one of Scotland’s best known entrepreneurs who is passionate about, and supportive of, all Scottish sport. We very much look forward to working closely with David Murray and his team over the years ahead in what promises to be an extremely beneficial, mutually rewarding relationship.” David Murray, Chairman of Murray, said: “The sport of rugby has always held a special place in my heart and so I was delighted to take this opportunity to support the game in Scotland. From a business point of view, we have supported many sports over the years including football, hockey, basketball and volleyball and this sponsorship will play a major role in further building our group profile both within and outside of Scotland.” Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: “As good luck messages go, it couldn’t be much better than this. The national team are in fine fettle and to have such a powerful endorsement at this time is immensely heartening.” Murray International Holdings is a privately-owned, multi-faceted group employing 4000 people worldwide in the metals (Murray Metals Group), property (Premier Property Group), investment (Charlotte Capital), business process outsourcing (Response Intelligent Outsourcing) and sports (Rangers Football Club) sectors. Founded almost 30 years ago, it is owned and controlled by Sir David E. Murray. At inception, it was focused on steel stockholding and trading, but has grown significantly through a combination of organic growth, investment, diversification and acquisition. Current turnover is in excess of£550 million. Murray Metals Group is a world leader in steel and metals distribution, and includes a number of leading businesses within the industry, including: Multi Metals Ltd, Premier Alloys, Forth Steel, Northern Steel Stocks, Austin Trumanns Steel, Apollo Metals, Ireland Alloys, Tipton & Mill and Newton Steel Stock. With an annual turnover of over£350 million (530 million euros), MMG has operational centres servicing global markets in the UK, Europe and Asia, and now employs over 850 people worldwide. MMG comprises a series of highly-successful businesses supplying materials to the aerospace, industrial, offshore, automotive and construction industries. PPG is an established commercial property development and investment company with offices in Edinburgh, Leeds and London. Formed as a stand-alone company to maximise value within the parent group’s property portfolio, PPG has developed over two million square feet of principally office and industrial space since 1990. PPG delivers high-quality developments focusing on design, flexibility and longevity and has an extensive land bank, including significant holdings in West Edinburgh and Yorkshire. Its investment portfolio covers office, industrial and retail throughout the UK. Charlotte Capital is a Scottish-based private investment company, headquartered in the heart of Edinburgh’s financial district, Charlotte Square. A wholly-owned division of MIH, it is run by David D Murray and a team of investment professionals. Set up in 2000, it invests in a wide range of industry sectors, from manufacturing and technology to support services and leisure. The primary focus is to back first-class management teams who can demonstrate a clear vision, leadership and the drive to create real growth and value added opportunities. Charlotte Capital is a Scottish Co-Investment Partner. Response is one of the UK’s fastest-growing and one of Scotland’s largest providers of contact centre and business process outsourcing services. It works with many of the UK’s leading brands to optimise their customer contact strategies. From multiple UK based locations, and with over 2000 agent positions, Response’s services support live and automated customer interactions and transactions across the full customer lifecycle. Rangers Football Club is one of Europe’s leading football clubs and one of the most powerful brands in world football, with a strong reputation for commercial and business acumen and innovation.