Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in
any doubt about the action you should take, you are recommended immediately to
seek your own personal financial advice from a financial adviser authorised
under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 if you are in the United
Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised financial adviser.

               --------------------------------------------------

                                   CASH OFFER

                                       BY

                          AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS S.A.

                                     for the

                           ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

                                       of

                            FRAMLINGTON GROUP LIMITED

               --------------------------------------------------

Acceptances should be returned as soon as possible. The procedure for acceptance
of the Offer is set out on pages 5-6 of this document and in the accompanying
Form of Acceptance. If you have any questions as to how to complete or return
the Form of Acceptance, please contact Eleanor Cranmer (the Company Secretary of
Framlington) on telephone number 020-7330-6680.

<PAGE>

                                                  Contents

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
LETTER FROM THE OFFEROR

1.       INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................          3

2.       THE OFFER............................................................................................          3

3.       CONDITIONS...........................................................................................          3

4.       THE NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT.............................................................................          4

5.       TAXATION.............................................................................................          4

6.       PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFER................................................................          5

7.       SETTLEMENT...........................................................................................          6

8.       SPECIAL DIVIDEND.....................................................................................          6

9.       COMPULSORY ACQUISITION...............................................................................          7

10.      ACTION TO BE TAKEN...................................................................................          7

APPENDIX 1 CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER.........................................................           8

APPENDIX 2 NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT..............................................................................           13

APPENDIX 3 DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................           17
</TABLE>

                                       2

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                          AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS S.A.

27th July 2005

To the holders of Shares and, for information only, to participants in the
Framlington Group Limited Long Term Incentive Plan

Dear Shareholder,

                OFFER FOR THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF FRAMLINGTON

1.       INTRODUCTION

         AXA Investment Managers S.A. (the "OFFEROR") wishes to acquire the
         entire issued share capital of Framlington pursuant to the Offer.

         This letter and the other parts of this document and the accompanying
         Form of Acceptance contain the formal terms of the Offer and set out
         the procedure for acceptance.

2.       THE OFFER

         The Offeror hereby offers to acquire, on the terms and conditions set
         out in this document and in the accompanying Form of Acceptance, all of
         the Shares on the following basis:

         FOR EACH SHARE   281 PENCE IN CASH, SUBJECT TO THE NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT

         The Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Offer are to be acquired:

         (A)    by the Offeror or the LTIP Trustee, as the Offeror may, having
                consulted the LTIP Trustee, direct; and

         (B)    fully paid, or credited as fully paid up, with full title
                guarantee and free from all liens, equities, charges, equitable
                interests, encumbrances and other third party rights and
                interests and together with all rights attaching thereto at
                Completion, including the right to receive and retain all
                dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after
                Completion. However, provided you are a Shareholder at the
                relevant time, you will retain the right to receive the Special
                Dividend referred to in section 8 below.

         The conditions and further terms of the Offer are set out in full in
         Appendix 1 to this document and in the Form of Acceptance.

3.       CONDITIONS

         The Offer is conditional upon:

         (A)    the Offeror acquiring or having contracted to acquire not less
                than 90% of the Shares to which the Offer relates;

         (B)    an agreement between the Offeror, Holdings, CCF and Comerica
                (the "IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT") having been executed by all of
                the parties thereto by 11.00 a.m. on 28th July 2005 (or such
                later date as the Offeror may in its sole

                                       3

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                discretion determine); and

         (C)    completion of the Implementation Agreement having taken place by
                5.30 p.m. on 30th November 2005,

         in each case as described in more detail in Part A of Appendix 1.
         Holdings has given an irrevocable undertaking to the Offeror to accept
         the Offer in respect of Shares representing approximately 90.8% of the
         Shares to which the Offer relates.

         Completion of the Implementation Agreement is subject to certain
         conditions, including:

         (A)    the Financial Services Authority having approved the acquisition
                of control of Framlington by the Offeror;

         (B)    certain amendments being made to the existing terms of the
                Articles to (amongst other things) allow holders of vested
                Awards to sell Shares which they receive in respect of those
                Awards (and in the case of Options, to sell Shares received
                following exercise) under the terms of the LTIP Rules without
                having held those Shares for at least six months and to
                introduce certain new provisions to facilitate the acquisition
                by the Offeror of the entire issued share capital of
                Framlington. The board of Framlington is to convene an
                extraordinary general meeting of Framlington to approve these
                changes to the Articles. Notice of the EGM, containing the text
                of the proposed amendments to the Articles, will be sent to all
                Shareholders in due course; and

         (C)    certain adverse changes in the value of the Group and/or of the
                Group's assets under management not having occurred.

4.       THE NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT

         There will be a Net Asset Adjustment, under which the consideration of
         Pound Sterling 2.81 per Share payable to Shareholders upon the Offer
         becoming unconditional in all respects shall be increased pro rata to
         the extent that the actual consolidated net asset value of the Group
         (including cash held by the LTIP Trustee) at Completion exceeds Pound
         Sterling 22,360,000.

         The actual consolidated net asset value of the Group on Completion will
         be calculated in accordance with the procedure set out in Appendix 2.

         The agreement of Holdings and the Offeror to the Net Asset Adjustment
         or the determination of the Net Asset Adjustment according to the
         procedure described in Appendix 2 shall be final and binding on all
         persons whose Shares the Offeror acquires under the Offer or otherwise.

         Extracts from the Implementation Agreement relating to the methodology
         by which the Net Asset Adjustment is to be calculated will be available
         for inspection during normal business hours at Framlington, 155
         Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3XJ from 9.30 a.m. on 29th July 2005 until
         Completion.

5.       TAXATION

         The following section explains the UK taxation position for
         participants in the LTIP who accept the Offer for the Shares they
         acquire upon the vesting of their Awards or the

                                       4

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         exercise of their vested Options in connection with the Offer. This
         section is intended as a general guide to the UK taxation position in
         relation to participants in the LTIP who are UK resident and ordinarily
         resident based on current law and practice. If you are in any doubt as
         to your tax position, or if you are subject to taxation in any
         jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom, you should consult an
         appropriate professional adviser.

         Participants will pay income tax and employee's national insurance
         contributions on the value of the Shares on vesting of any Awards.
         Where Options are exercised, then they will pay income tax and
         employee's national insurance contributions on the value of the Shares
         they receive less the exercise price.

         The value should be treated as equal to the price per Share payable
         under the Offer. There should be no capital gains tax implications of
         the acceptance of the Offer as income tax is expected to apply to the
         whole of the gain arising on the vesting or exercise of Awards and
         Options respectively as described above.

         Any income tax and employee national insurance contributions which are
         payable will be deducted from the consideration that would otherwise be
         payable to participants under the Offer and remitted to the appropriate
         authorities.

 6.      PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFER

         SHAREHOLDERS

(a)      COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE FORM OF ACCEPTANCE

         To accept the Offer, the Form of Acceptance must be completed and then
         signed in the presence of a witness who should also sign, in accordance
         with the instructions printed on the Form of Acceptance.

         The completed and signed Form of Acceptance should then be returned by
         post or (during normal business hours) by hand to the Company Secretary
         of Framlington, with the relevant share certificate(s), as soon as
         possible. No acknowledgement of receipt of documents will be given.

(b)      SHARE CERTIFICATES NOT READILY AVAILABLE OR LOST

         If for any reason the relevant share certificate(s) is/are not readily
         available or is/are lost, you should nevertheless complete, sign and
         return the Form of Acceptance as stated above, and you should arrange
         for the relevant share certificates to be forwarded as soon as
         possible thereafter. Your completed Form of Acceptance should be
         accompanied by a letter stating that the balance will follow or that
         you have lost one or more of your share certificates. In the case of
         loss, you should then write to Framlington's Company Secretary, Eleanor
         Cranmer at Framlington, 155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3XJ for a letter
         of indemnity for the lost share certificate(s) which, when completed in
         accordance with the instructions given, should be returned to that
         person at that address by post or by hand.

(c)      VALIDITY OF ACCEPTANCES

         Without prejudice to Appendix 1 of this document, the Offeror reserves
         the right to treat as valid in whole or in part any acceptance of the
         Offer which is not entirely in order or is not accompanied by the
         relevant share certificate(s). In that event, however unless the

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<PAGE>

         relevant Shares were acquired upon vesting of Awards or the exercise of
         vested Options shortly before Completion and no share certificates have
         been issued, the consideration payable under such acceptances will not
         be despatched until after the relevant share certificate(s) and/or
         indemnities satisfactory to the Offeror have been received.

         HOLDERS OF AWARDS AND OPTIONS UNDER THE FRAMLINGTON GROUP LIMITED LONG
         TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

         HOLDINGS HAS AGREED TO PROCURE THAT ALL AWARDS AND OPTIONS WILL VEST
         BEFORE COMPLETION AND THAT HOLDERS OF AWARDS RECEIVE THE SHARES TO
         WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED UNDER THE LTIP RULES. HOLDERS OF VESTED OPTIONS
         WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE THOSE OPTIONS EARLY AND TO
         RECEIVE THE SHARES TO WHICH THOSE OPTIONS RELATE. HOLDERS OF SHARES
         RESULTING FROM THE VESTING OF AWARDS AND EXERCISE OF VESTED OPTIONS
         BEFORE COMPLETION MAY THEN ACCEPT THE OFFER BY COMPLETING A FORM OF
         ACCEPTANCE.

         FURTHER DETAILS OF THE VESTING OF AWARDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO HOLDERS OF
         AWARDS IN DUE COURSE.

         THE HOLDERS OF AWARDS AND OPTIONS WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO
         DIRECT IN ADVANCE THAT THE OFFER BE ACCEPTED ON THEIR BEHALF IN RESPECT
         OF THE SHARES TO WHICH THEIR AWARDS AND OPTIONS RELATE. FURTHER DETAILS
         OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO HOLDERS OF AWARDS AND OPTIONS
         IN DUE COURSE.

7.       SETTLEMENT

         Subject to the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional, the cash
         consideration in respect of cash due will be despatched (together with
         interest at LIBOR on the amount of the Net Asset Adjustment from the
         Completion Date until the Business Day prior to the date of despatch)
         to the holders of the Shares who have accepted the Offer (i) in the
         case of acceptances received, complete in all respects, by the date on
         which the Offer becomes unconditional, on the date on which Completion
         takes place, or (ii) in the case of acceptances of the Offer received,
         complete in all respects, after such date but while it remains open for
         acceptance, within 14 days of such receipt. All such cash payments will
         be made in pounds sterling by cheque drawn on a branch of a UK clearing
         bank or by electronic transfer to Shareholders' nominated bank
         accounts, as Shareholders may elect by completing Box 4 of the Form of
         Acceptance.

         If the Offer does not become or is not declared unconditional, share
         certificates(s) will be returned by post to the person whose name and
         address is set out in Box 3 of the Form of Acceptance or, if none is
         set out, to the Shareholder at that address.

         All documents and remittances sent by, to or from holders of the Shares
         or Awards will be sent at their own risk.

8.       SPECIAL DIVIDEND

         IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ALL HOLDERS OF SHARES, INCLUDING SUCH HOLDERS
         WHO HAVE BECOME SO BY VIRTUE OF THE VESTING OF AWARDS OR THE EXERCISE
         OF VESTED OPTIONS, WILL, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
         FRAMLINGTON, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A PRE-COMPLETION
         SPECIAL DIVIDEND. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL DIVIDEND WILL BE

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<PAGE>

         PROVIDED IN DUE COURSE.

9.       COMPULSORY ACQUISITION

         If sufficient acceptances of the Offer are received the Offeror intends
         to apply the provisions of sections 428 to 430F (inclusive) of the
         Companies Act to compulsorily acquire, or to direct that the LTIP
         Trustee acquires, any outstanding Shares. The Offeror will have the
         ability to do this once Holdings has accepted the Offer in accordance
         with the terms of its irrevocable undertaking to do so and the Offer
         has become unconditional in all respects.

10.      ACTION TO BE TAKEN

         FOR SHAREHOLDERS TO ACCEPT THE OFFER, THE FORM OF ACCEPTANCE MUST BE
         COMPLETED, SIGNED AND RETURNED TO THE COMPANY SECRETARY OF FRAMLINGTON
         WITH THE RELEVANT SHARE CERTIFICATES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS DESCRIBED
         IN MORE DETAIL IN PARAGRAPH 6 ABOVE.

         HOLDERS OF AWARDS AND OPTIONS WILL RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION IN DUE
COURSE.

                                Yours faithfully,

                              for and on behalf of
                          AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS S.A.

                                      [SIG]

                                       7

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX 1
                   CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER

PART A: CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER

The Offer is subject to the following conditions:

(A)      valid irrevocable acceptances having been received by not later than
         11:00 a.m on 28th July 2005 (or such later time(s) and/or date(s) as
         the Offeror may in its sole discretion decide) in respect of not less
         than 90 per cent. (or such lower percentage as the Offeror may in its
         sole discretion decide) in nominal value of the Shares to which the
         Offer relates. For the purposes of this condition, the expression "the
         Shares to which the Offer relates" shall be construed in accordance
         with sections 428 to 430F of the Companies Act;

(B)      the Implementation Agreement having been executed by all of the parties
         thereto by 11.00 a.m on 28th July 2005 (or such later time(s) and/or
         date(s) as the Offeror may at its sole discretion decide); and

(C)      Completion having occurred by 5.30 p.m. on 30th November 2005.

PART B: FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER

The Offer is governed by English law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the
English courts, and to the further terms set out or referred to below and in the
Form of Acceptance.

The following further terms apply to the Offer. Except where the context
otherwise requires, any reference in Parts B or C of this Appendix 1 and in the
Form of Acceptance: (i) to "the Offer", shall include any renewal thereof or
extension to the Offer; (ii) to the "acceptance condition", means the condition
set out in paragraph (A) of Part A of this Appendix 1; (iii) to "acceptances of
the Offer", shall include deemed acceptances of the Offer and any acceptances of
the Offer made pursuant to any authority granted under the terms of the Offer or
the Form of Acceptance; (iv) to execution of a Form of Acceptance, shall include
execution by an "attorney" acting as such, as described in Part C of this
Appendix 1; and (v) to the "vesting" of an Award or an Option, means vesting
under the LTIP Rules.

1.       ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

(a)      The Offer will initially be open for acceptance until the earlier of
         5.30 p.m. on the last Business Day before the Completion Date and 5.30
         p.m. on 30th November 2005. The Offeror may in its absolute discretion
         extend the period for which the Offer is open for acceptance. No
         revision to the Offer is envisaged.

(b)      If the Offer has become unconditional and it is stated that the Offer
         will remain open until further notice, then not less than 14 days'
         notice in writing will be given prior to the closing of the Offer to
         those holders of Shares who have not accepted the Offer.

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 2.     NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCES

(a)      On the Business Day next following the day on which the Offer is due to
         expire or becomes unconditional or is extended, as the case may be, the
         Offeror will notify Framlington, holders of Shares and holders of
         Awards and Options of the total number (as nearly as practicable) of
         Shares for which acceptances of the Offer have been received.

(b)      In computing the number of the Shares represented by acceptances, there
         may be included or excluded for notification purposes acceptances not
         in all respects in order or subject to verification.

 3.     GENERAL

(a)      The Offer will lapse if:

         (i)    the conditions set out in paragraphs (A) and (B) of Part A of
                this Appendix 1 have not both been fulfilled by 11.00 a.m. on
                28th July 2005 or such later time(s) and date(s) as the Offeror
                may in its sole discretion decide; and/or

         (ii)   the condition set out in paragraph (C) of Part A of this
                Appendix 1 has not been fulfilled by 5.30 p.m. on 30th November
                2005; and/or

         (ii)   the Implementation Agreement terminates or is terminated.
         In such case, the Offer will cease to be capable of further acceptance
         and the Offeror and the holders of the Shares shall cease to be bound
         by prior acceptances. The Offeror shall not revoke or amend the Offer
         prior to Completion.

(b)      The terms, provisions, instructions and authorities contained in or
         deemed to be incorporated in the Form of Acceptance constitute part of
         the terms of the Offer. Words and expressions defined in this document
         have the same meanings when used in the Form of Acceptance, unless the
         context otherwise requires.

(c)      The Offer and all acceptances thereof and the relevant Form of
         Acceptance and all contracts made pursuant to any of the foregoing and
         action taken or made or deemed to be taken or made under any of the
         foregoing shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English
         law. Execution by or on behalf of a holder of the Shares of a Form of
         Acceptance will constitute his submission, in relation to all matters
         arising out of or in connection with the Offer and the Form of
         Acceptance, to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and his
         agreement that nothing shall limit the right of the Offeror to bring
         any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the
         Offer and the Form of Acceptance in any other manner permitted by law
         or in the courts of England.

(d)      Any omission or failure to despatch this document, the Form of
         Acceptance or any notice required to be despatched under the terms of
         the Offer to, or any failure to receive the same by, any person to whom
         the Offer is made, or should be made, shall not invalidate the Offer in
         any way or create any implication that the Offer has not been made to
         any such person. The Offer extends to all holders of the Shares to whom
         this document, the Form of Acceptance and any related documents may not
         be despatched, or who may not receive such documents, including persons
         who become Shareholders by virtue of the vesting of Awards or the
         exercise of vested Options.

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(e)      Without prejudice to any other provision in this document, the Offeror
         reserves the right to treat acceptances of the Offer as valid if
         received by or on behalf of the Offeror at any place or places
         determined by the Offeror otherwise than as set out herein or in the
         Form of Acceptance.

(f)      All powers of attorney, appointments as agents and authorities on the
         terms conferred by or referred to in this Appendix 1 or in the Form of
         Acceptance are given irrevocably by way of security for the performance
         of the obligations of the holder of the Shares (as the case may be)
         concerned and are irrevocable (in respect of powers of attorney, in
         accordance with section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971).

(g)      No acknowledgement of receipt of any Form of Acceptance, communication,
         notice or share certificate will be given by or on behalf of the
         Offeror. All communications, notices, certificates, documents of title
         and remittances to be delivered by or sent to or from any holder of the
         Shares or Awards will be delivered by or sent to or from such holder of
         the Shares or Awards at his own risk.

(h)      The consideration payable pursuant to the terms of the Offer to any
         Shareholder who has accepted the Offer shall be decreased to the extent
         of any successful claim by the Offeror or any company in the Group
         under any warranty, indemnity or other commitment that such Shareholder
         has given, whether in the Implementation Agreement or otherwise.

(i)      The Offer is made on 27th July 2005 and is capable of acceptance from
         and after that time. Copies of this document and the Form of
         Acceptance are available from Framlington from that time. The Offer is
         made by means of this document.

(j)      If sufficient acceptances of the Offer are received, the Offeror
         intends to apply the provisions of sections 428-430F of the Companies
         Act to acquire compulsorily any outstanding Shares. The Offeror may
         also invoke certain provisions of the Articles (as amended) to
         compulsorily acquire certain Shares after Completion.

(k)      All references in this document to any statute or statutory provision
         shall include a statute or statutory provision which amends,
         consolidates or replaces the same (whether before or after the date
         hereof).

(l)      All references in this document to times are to London time.

PART C: FORM OF ACCEPTANCE

Each holder of Shares by whom, or on whose behalf, a Form of Acceptance is
executed irrevocably undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees to and with the
Offeror (so as to bind him, his personal representatives, heirs, successors and
assigns) to the following effect:

(a)      that the execution of the Form of Acceptance, whether or not any other
         Boxes are completed, shall constitute:

         (i)    an irrevocable acceptance of the Offer in respect of the
                relevant Shareholder's entire holding of the Shares (or such
                lesser number as may have been inserted in Box 1 of the Form of
                Acceptance), provided that, if a number is inserted in Box 1
                which exceeds such Shareholder's holding of Shares, the
                acceptance will be deemed to have been made in respect of that
                Shareholder's entire holding of the Shares; and

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         (ii)   an irrevocable undertaking to execute any further documents and
                give any further assurances which may be required to
                enable the Offeror to obtain the full benefit of this Part C
                and/or to perfect any of the authorities expressed to be given
                hereunder,

         in each case on and subject to the terms and conditions set out or
         referred to in this document and the Form of Acceptance and that each
         such acceptance shall be irrevocable;

(b)      that the execution of the Form of Acceptance constitutes, subject to
         the Offer becoming unconditional in all respects, the irrevocable
         appointment of the Offeror and its directors as such Shareholder's
         attorney and/or agent within the terms of paragraph 3(f) of Part B of
         this Appendix 1 (the "attorney") and an irrevocable instruction and
         authorisation to the attorney: (i) to complete and execute all or any
         form(s) of transfer and/or other document(s) at the discretion of the
         attorney in relation to the Shares in respect of which the Offer has
         been accepted or deemed to have been accepted in favour of the Offeror,
         the LTIP Trustee or such other person or persons as the Offeror or its
         agents may direct; (ii) to deliver such form(s) of transfer and/or
         other document(s) at the discretion of the attorney with the share
         certificate(s) relating to such the Shares for registration; and (iii)
         to do all such other acts and things as may in the opinion of the
         attorney be necessary or expedient for the purposes of, or in
         connection with, the acceptance of the Offer, and to vest absolutely in
         the Offeror, the LTIP Trustee or their respective nominees the Shares
         as aforesaid;

(c)      that the execution of the Form of Acceptance and its delivery to the
         Company Secretary of Framlington constitutes, subject to the Offer
         becoming unconditional, an irrevocable authority and request:

         (i)    to Framlington or its agents to procure the registration of the
                transfer of the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the delivery of
                the share certificate(s) in respect thereof to the Offeror, to
                the LTIP Trustee or as the Offeror may otherwise direct; and

         (ii)   to the Offeror or its agents to procure the despatch of the cash
                consideration to which an accepting holder of the Shares is
                entitled at the risk of such holder of the Shares, either by
                cheque to the person whose name and address is set out in Box 3
                of the Form of Acceptance or, if details of a valid bank account
                are included in Box 4 of the Form of Acceptance, to that bank
                account;

(d)      that, subject to the Offer becoming unconditional and pending
         registration:

         (i)    the Offeror shall be entitled to direct the exercise of any
                votes and any or all other rights and privileges (including the
                right to requisition the convening of a general or separate
                class meeting of Framlington) attaching to any Shares in respect
                of which the Offer has been accepted or is deemed to have been
                accepted; and

         (ii)   the execution of the Form of Acceptance constitutes, with regard
                to the Shares comprised in such acceptance:

                (A)   an authority to Framlington and/or its agents from the
                      holder of such Shares to send any notice, circular,
                      document or other communication which may be required to
                      be sent to him as a member of Framlington in respect of
                      such Shares to the Offeror at its registered office or
                      such other place as the Offeror may direct;

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                (B)   the irrevocable appointment of the Offeror or any of its
                      directors or agents to sign on such Shareholder's behalf
                      such documents and do such things as may in the opinion of
                      such person seem necessary or desirable in connection with
                      the exercise of any votes or other rights or privileges
                      attaching to such Shares (including, without limitation,
                      an authority to sign any consent to short notice of a
                      general or separate class meeting) as his attorney and/or
                      agent and on his behalf and/or to execute a form of proxy
                      in respect of such Shares appointing any person nominated
                      by the Offeror to attend general and separate class
                      meetings of Framlington and to exercise the votes
                      attaching to such Shares on such Shareholder's behalf,
                      such votes (where relevant) to be cast so far as possible
                      to satisfy any outstanding conditions of the Offer; and

                (C)   will also constitute the agreement of such Shareholder not
                      to exercise any such rights without the prior written
                      consent of the Offeror and the irrevocable undertaking of
                      such Shareholder not to appoint a proxy for or to attend
                      such general or separate class meeting;

(e)      that he agrees to ratify each and every act or thing which may be done
         or effected by the Offeror, Framlington or any of their respective
         directors or agents in the proper exercise of any of their respective
         powers and/or authorities hereunder;

(f)      that he shall do all such acts and things as shall be necessary or
         expedient to vest in the Offeror or its nominee(s) or the LTIP Trustee
         the Shares aforesaid;

(g)      that if any provision of Part B of this Appendix 1 or this Part C shall
         be unenforceable or invalid or shall not operate so as to afford the
         Offeror or any of its directors or agents the benefit of any authority
         expressed to be given therein, he shall with all practicable speed do
         all such acts and things and execute all such documents that may be
         required to enable the Offeror and/or its directors or agents to
         secure the full benefits of Part B of this Appendix 1 and this Part C;
         and

(h)      that the terms and conditions of the Offer contained in this document
         shall be deemed to be incorporated in, and form part of, the Form of
         Acceptance which shall be construed accordingly.

Forms of Acceptance executed by corporate Shareholders shall be valid and shall,
for all purposes of the Offer and its terms be "Forms of Acceptance"
notwithstanding that their execution provisions have been adapted accordingly.

References in this Part C to a holder of the Shares shall include references to
the person executing a Form of Acceptance.

                                       12

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                                   APPENDIX 2
                              NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT

                                     PART A

For the purposes of this Appendix:

"ACCOUNTS" means the consolidated accounts of Framlington, including the balance
sheet, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement, notes to those accounts
and the associated directors' and auditors' reports for the year ended on 31st
December 2004;

"ACCOUNTING STANDARDS" means the Financial Reporting Standards and Statements
of Standard Accounting Practice issued and/or adopted by the Accounting
Standards Board and Abstracts issued by the Urgent Issues Task Force of the
Accounting Standards Board;

"ACTUAL NET ASSET VALUE" means the amount shown opposite the heading "Nat Assets
excluding pension deficit" as shown in the Completion Accounts as agreed or
determined;

"COMPLETION ACCOUNTS" means the consolidated pro forma net asset statement of
Framlington as at the Completion Date;

"HOLDINGS' ACCOUNTANTS" means KPMG, Chartered Accountants;

"OFFEROR'S ACCOUNTANTS" means Deloitte, Chartered Accountants;

1.       The Offeror shall procure that as soon as practicable following the
         Completion Date, and in any event not later than 30 Business Days
         after the Completion Date, a draft of the Completion Accounts ("DRAFT
         COMPLETION ACCOUNTS") shall be prepared by Framlington in accordance
         with paragraph 2 of this Appendix 2 and delivered simultaneously to the
         Offeror's Accountants and Holdings' Accountants (together, the
         "ACCOUNTANTS").

2.       The draft Completion Accounts shall be prepared by Framlington:

2.1      in the form set out in Part B of this Appendix 2:

2.2      in accordance with certain specific accounting treatments to be agreed
         by Holdings and the Offeror and set out in the Implementation
         Agreement; and, subject thereto

2.3      adopting the same accounting principles, policies, treatments and
         categorisations as were used in the preparation of the Accounts, as
         there applied, including in relation to the exercise of accounting
         discretion and judgement; and, subject thereto

2.4      in accordance with Accounting Standards relevant at the Completion
         Date.

         For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph 2.2 shall take precedence over
         paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4, and paragraph 2.3 shall take precedence over
         paragraph 2.4.

2.5      As soon as practicable after delivery of the draft Completion Accounts
         to the Accountants in accordance with paragraph 1, and in any event
         within 20 Business Days after such delivery (the "REVIEW PERIOD"),
         the Accountants shall review the draft Completion Accounts and
         endeavour to agree what adjustments (if any) need to be made to them in
         order for them to

                                       13
<PAGE>

         comply with paragraphs 2.1 to 2.4 (inclusive).

2.6      If the Accountants agree upon all such adjustments as are referred to
         in paragraph 2.5 within the Review Period, they shall jointly
         incorporate them into the draft Completion Accounts and the draft
         Completion Accounts as so adjusted shall be the "Completion Accounts"
         for all purposes of the Offer and shall, save in the case of manifest
         error, be final and binding on all persons.

2.7      If the Accountants are unable to agree within the Review Period on any
         aspect of the Completion Accounts (including as to:

2.7.1    whether adjustments need to be made to the draft Completion Accounts;

2.7.2    the adjustments to be made thereto; or

2.7.3    the amount of the Actual Net Asset Value),

         Holdings and the Offeror shall endeavour in good faith to agree such
         matter or matters and to incorporate them as so agreed into the draft
         Completion Accounts by making appropriate adjustments thereto. The
         draft Completion Accounts as so adjusted shall be the "Completion
         Accounts" for all purposes of the offer and shall, save in the case of
         manifest error, be final and binding on all persons.

2.8      If Holdings and the Offeror have not resolved any such matter in
         dispute referred to in paragraph 2.7 within 10 Business Days after the
         end of the Review Period, then such matter or matters (but no other
         matters) shall thereupon be referred to such firm of independent
         chartered accountants as Holdings and the Offeror may agree within 14
         days of a request by either of them to the other or, failing such
         agreement within such time, as the President for the time being of the
         Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales may nominate on
         the application of Holdings or the Offeror (the "INDEPENDENT
         ACCOUNTANTS") for determination on the following basis:

2.8.1    the Independent Accountants shall be instructed to notify Holdings and
         the Offeror of their determination of any such matter within 30
         Business Days of such referral

2.8.2    Holdings and the Offeror shall be entitled to make written submissions
         to the Independent Accountants and copied to the other party's
         Accountants at the same time but subject thereto the Independent
         Accountants shall have power to determine the procedure to be followed
         in relation to their determination;

2.8.3    any submissions to and the determination of the Independent Accountants
         shall be in the English language and any oral hearings shall be
         conducted in English in London;

2.8.4    in making such submissions Holdings and the Offeror shall state their
         respective best estimates of monetary amounts of the matters referred
         for determination;

2.8.5    in making their determination the Independent Accountants shall act as
         experts and not as arbitrators, and their decision as to any matter
         referred to them for determination shall, save in the case of manifest
         error, be final and binding in all respects on all persons and shall
         not be subject to question on any ground whatsoever; and

                                       14

<PAGE>

2.8.6    the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountants shall be borne
         and paid as the Independent Accountants shall determine.

2.9      Following any agreement between Holdings and the Offeror or any
         determination by the Independent Accountants, the Accountants shall
         jointly incorporate into and reflect in the draft Completion Accounts
         the matters resolved between Holdings and the Offeror and/or determined
         by the Independent Accountants, together with any adjustments which may
         have been agreed between the Accountants and the draft Completion
         Accounts and the amount of the Actual Net Asset Value stated in such
         report shall be the "Completion Accounts" and the "Actual Net Asset
         Value" respectively for all purposes of the Offer, and shall, save in
         the case of manifest error, be final and binding on all persons and
         shall, save as aforesaid, not be subject to question on any ground
         whatsoever.

                                       15

<PAGE>
                                     PART B
                          FORM OF COMPLETION ACCOUNTS

                                                           As at the
                                                           Completion Date
                                                           Pound Sterling'000
FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

Investments

CURRENT ASSETS

Stock of units

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

CREDITORS

Less: amounts falling due within one year

NET CURRENT ASSETS

Total assets less current liabilities

Less: provisions for liabilities and charges

NET ASSETS EXCLUDING PENSION DEFICIT

                                       16

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX 3
                                  DEFINITIONS

 The following definitions apply throughout this document and the Form of
Acceptance unless the context otherwise requires:

"ARTICLES"                    means the articles of association of Framlington;

"AWARD"                       means an "Award" as defined in the LTIP Rules
                              (other than an Option), and references to a
                              "holder" or "holders" of Awards shall be construed
                              accordingly;

"BUSINESS DAY"                means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday or
                              other public or bank holiday on which banks are
                              ordinarily open for the transaction of normal
                              banking business in London, other than solely for
                              the settlement and clearing of euro;

"CCF"                         means CCF S.A., a French societe anonyme
                              incorporated under number 775 670 284, whose
                              registered office is at 103, avenue des
                              Champs-Elysees, 75008, Paris, France;

"COMERICA"                    means Comerica, Inc., a company incorporated in
                              the State of Michigan, United States of America,
                              whose principal place of business is at 500
                              Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48226 United
                              States of America;

"COMPANIES ACT"               means the Companies Act 1985, as amended;

"COMPLETION"                  means completion under the Implementation
                              Agreement;

"COMPLETION DATE"             means the date on which Completion takes place;

"EGM"                         means the extraordinary general meeting of
                              Framlington referred to in section 3 of the letter
                              from the Offeror contained in this document, or
                              any adjournment thereof;

"FORM OF ACCEPTANCE"          means the form of acceptance and authority
                              relating to the Offer which

                                       17

<PAGE>

                              accompanies this document;

"FRAMLINGTON"                 means Framlington Group Limited, a company
                              incorporated in England and Wales (registered
                              number 01237167, whose registered office is at
                              155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M3XJ;

"HOLDINGS"                    means Framlington Holdings Limited, a company
                              incorporated in England and Wales (registered
                              number 02314914), whose registered office is at
                              155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3XJ;

"IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT"    means the agreement of that name to be entered
                              into between the Offeror, Holdings, CCF and
                              Comerica;

"INTERNAL MARKET"             means the internal market established under the
                              LTIP;

"LIBOR"                       means the London Inter-Ban < Offering Rate, to be
                              determined from a source agreed by the Offeror and
                              Holdings;

"LTIP"                        means the Framlington Group Limited Long Term
                              Incentive Plan, as adopted by the board of
                              Framlington on 20th March 2003;

"LTIP RULES"                  means the rules of the LTIP;

"LTIP TRUSTEE"                means the trustee of the Framlington Employee
                              Benefit Trust from time to time, being, on the
                              date of the Offer, Ogier Employee Benefit Trustee
                              Limited, a company incorporated in Jersey, whose
                              registered office is at Whiteley Chambers, Don
                              Street, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 9WG, Channel
                              Islands;

"NET ASSET ADJUSTMENT"        means the net asset adjustment described in
                              section 4 of the letter frorm the Offeror
                              contained in this document;

"OFFER"                       means the offer being made by the Offeror to
                              acquire all of the Shares including, where the
                              context so requires, any subsequent extension or
                              renewal of such Offer;

                                       18

<PAGE>

"OFFEROR"                     means AXA Investment Managers S.A., a French
                              societe anonyme incorporated under number B 393
                              051 826, whose registered office is at Coeur La
                              Defense, 100 Esplanade du Generale de Gaulle,
                              92932 Paris La Defense Cedex, France;

"OPTION"                      means an Award which is an "Option" as defined in
                              the LTIP Rules, and references to a "holder" or
                              "holders" of Options shall be construed
                              accordingly;

"SHARES"                      means ordinary shares of five pence each in the
                              capital of Framlington;

"SHAREHOLDERS" AND "HOLDERS"
OF SHARES                     means registered holders of Shares; and

"SPECIAL DIVIDEND"            means the pre-completion special dividend referred
                              to in section 8 of the letter from the Offeror
                              contained in this document.

All references in this document to "Pound Sterling" or "pence" are to the lawful
currency of the United Kingdom. When used in this document the word "subsidiary"
has the meaning given in sections 736 and 736A of the Companies Act.

                                       19<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in
any doubt about the action you should take, you are recommended immediately to
seek your own personal financial advice from a financial adviser authorised
under the FinanciaI Services and Markets Act 2000 if you are in the United
Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised financial adviser.

This Form of Acceptance should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
offer document (the "OFFER DOCUMENT"). Unless the context requires otherwise,
the definitions contained in the Offer Document also apply in this Fom of
Acceptance.

           ----------------------------------------------------------

                               FORM OF ACCEPTANCE

                                 RELATING TO THE

                                   CASH OFFER

                                       BY

                          AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS S.A.

                       FOR THE ENTIRE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

                                       OF

                           FRAMLINGTON GROUP LIMITED

           ----------------------------------------------------------

By signing this Form of Acceptance, you hereby irrevocably undertake that you
will in person or by proxy cast all votes attaching to the number of Shares set
out in Box 1, or otherwise procure that all such votes shall be cast, at the
extraordinary general meeting of Framlington Group Limited, details of which are
set out in the Offer Document (the "EGM") (and at any adjournment thereof) (i)
against any resolution or proposal to adjourn the EGM, to amend any of the
resolutions proposed at the EGM, or which may impede or prevent the
passing of those resolutions and (ii) in favour of each of such resolutions.

By signing this Form of Acceptance, you also hereby irrevocably undertake,
confirm and agree that the process for the agreement or determination of the Net
Asset Adjustment described in the Offer Document is final and binding upon you
and that you have no right to challenge, intervene in or give representations to
any person in connection with, the agreement or determination of the Net Asset
Value Adjustment.

<PAGE>

                                        2

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

-        TO ACCEPT THE OFFER, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM OF ACCEPTANCE BY
         FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS SET OUT BELOW AND THE NOTES FOR GUIDANCE
         AT THE END OF THIS FORM OF ACCEPTANCE. THE FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
         THE OFFER ARE SET OUT IN THE OFFER DOCUMENT.

-        YOU SHOULD THEN RETURN THIS FORM OF ACCEPTANCE, DULY COMPLETED AND
         SIGNED AND ACCOMPANIED BY YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE BY POST OR BY HAND
         (DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS) TO THE COMPANY SECRETARY, FRAMLINGTON,
         155 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON, EC2M 3XJ SO AS TO BE RECEIVED AS SOON AS
         POSSIBLE.

-        IF YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) ARE WITH YOUR BANK, STOCKBROKER OR OTHER
         AGENT, YOU SHOULD COMPLETE AND SIGN THIS FORM OF ACCEPTANCE AND ARRANGE
         FOR IT TO BE LODGED BY SUCH AGENT, TOGETHER WITH THE RELEVANT
         DOCUMENTS.

-        IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE OR RETURN THIS FORM OF
         ACCEPTANCE OR TO OBTAIN A FURTHER FORM OF ACCEPTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT
         ELEANOR CRANMER ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 020-7330-6680.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN COMPLETING PAGE 3

1.       NUMBER OF SHARES
         ----------------

         To accept the Offer, insert in Box 1 the total number of Shares for
         which you wish to accept the Offer. If no number of, or a number
         greater than your registered holding of, Shares is inserted in Box 1
         and you have signed Box 2, you will be deemed to have accepted the
         Offer in respect of your entire registered holding of Shares.

         You must, in any event, also duly complete Box 2 in accordance with the
         instructions, which will constitute your acceptance of the Offer, and
         complete Box 3.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.       SIGNATURES
         ----------

         TO ACCEPT THE OFFER, YOU MUST SIGN BOX 2 REGARDLESS OF WHICH OTHER
         BOX(ES) YOU COMPLETE.

         In the case of a shareholder which is a company, two directors or one
         director and the company secretary must sign Box 2. If the Form of
         Acceptance is signed under power of attorney, the power of attorney and
         share certificate should accompany this Form of Acceptance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.       FULL NAME AND ADDRESS
         ---------------------

         Complete Box 3 with the full name and registered address of the
         registered holder.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.       BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS
         --------------------

         If you wish to receive your consideration by electronic transfer to a
         bank account, complete Box 4 with the relevant bank account details.

<PAGE>

                                       3

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS PAGE AS EXPLAINED ON PAGES 2 AND 4. PLEASE USE BLOCK
CAPITALS

         Complete Boxes 1 and 3 and sign Box 2 below. If you wish to receive
         your consideration by electronic transfer to a bank account, please
         also complete Box 4.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.       NUMBER OF SHARES

         Number of Shares for which you are accepting the Offer: 63,431,051
                                                                ...............

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.       SIGN HERE TO ACCEPT THE OFFER

         Executed as a deed on behalf of the Company named below:

                                FRAMLINGTON HOLDINGS LIMITED
                               .................................................

         Acting by:

         Name: D. H. Burnett                     Signature: /s/ David H. Burnett
              ......................                       .....................
                                                           (Director)

         Name: E. Cranmer                        Signature: /s/ Eleanor Cranmer
              ......................                       .....................
                                                           (Secretary)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 3.    FULL NAME(S) AND REGISTERED ADDRESS OF HOLDER

         NAME FRAMLINGTON HOLDINGS LIMITED
             ..........................................................

         Registered Address 115 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON, ECRM 3XJ
                           ....................................

         .......................................................................
         Contact and daytime telephone number in case of any query:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 4.      BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS

         Bank:
                              ..................................................

         Address of Bank:
                              ..................................................

         Name of Account:
                              ..................................................

         Sort Code:
                              ..................................................

         Account Number:
                              ..................................................

<PAGE>

          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM

In order to avoid inconvenience to yourself and/or delay, the following points
may assist you

(A)      WHERE A POWER OF ATTORNEY HAS BEEN GRANTED: If the registered holder
         has executed a power of attorney, have this Form of Acceptance signed
         by the attorney in the presence of a witness. The power of attorney (or
         a duly certified copy thereof, as provided in the Powers of Attorney
         Act 1971) must be lodged with this Form of Acceptance.

(B)      IF YOU DO NOT HOLD YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE(s): If your share
         certificate(s) is/are with your stockbroker, bank or other agent, you
         should complete this Form of Acceptance and if the certificate(s)
         is/are readily available arrange for it/them to be returned by such
         person. If the certificate(s) is/are not readily obtainable, you should
         return this Form of Acceptance together with a note saying e.g.
         "certificates to follow", and arrange for the certificate(s) to be
         forwarded as soon as possible thereafter.

(C)      IF YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE(s) HAS/HAVE BEEN LOST: Complete and return
         this Form of Acceptance, together with a letter of explanation and any
         certificate(s) available. At the same time, you should write to
         Framlington Group Limited's Company Secretary for a letter of indemnity
         which should be completed in accordance with the instructions given.
         When completed, the letter of indemnity should be lodged with the
         Company Secretary of Framlington. Indemnities will only be accepted at
         the discretion of the Offeror.

(D)      IF YOUR NAME OR OTHER PARTICULARS ARE SHOWN INCORRECTLY ON THE SHARE
         CERTIFICATE(s) E.G.

         (i)    INCORRECT NAME

                e.g. Name on the certificate.........................John Smythe

                Correct name..........................................John Smith

                  Complete and lodge this Form of Acceptance with the correct
                  name and accompanied by a letter from your bank, stockbroker
                  or solicitor confirming that the person described on the
                  certificate and the person who has signed this Form of
                  Acceptance are one and the same;

         (ii)   INCORRECT ADDRESS - write the correct address in Box 3 of this
                Form of Acceptance;

         (iii)  CHANGE OF NAME - lodge your marriage certificate or the deed
                poll with this Form of Acceptance for noting.

PLEASE CONTACT ELEANOR CRANMER ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 020-7330-6680 IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE OR RETURN THIS FORM.

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