1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

WS Atkins plc

2. Reason for the notification  (please tick the appropriate box or boxes)

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights 

Yes

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights

Other (please specify): 

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

Newton Investment Management Limited  

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

15/08/08

6. Date on which issuer notified:

18/08/08  

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

Increased from 2.85% to 3.48%

8. Notified details:

Purchase of 632,910 shares   

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Class/type of shares 

 if possible using the ISIN CODE

Situation previous to the Triggering transaction 

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Number of Shares 

Number of Voting Rights 

Number of shares 

Number of voting rights 

% of voting rights

Direct

Direct 

Indirect 

Direct

Indirect

Ordinary Shares

Sedol 

0060800

2,851,871

2.85%

   N/A

N/A  

3,484,781

N/A

3.48%

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction 

Type of financial instrument 

Expiration date 

Exercise/ Conversion Period/ Date 

Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. 

% of voting rights

Total (A+B)

Number of voting rights

% of voting rights

3,484,781

3.48%

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:

Newton Investment Management Limited hold these shares as a discretionary Investment Manager.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

N/A

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

N/A  

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

N/A  

13. Additional information:

14. Contact name:

Asif S Lalani 

15. Contact telephone number:

+44 (0)20 7163 5115