30 June 2008

Aegis Group plc

John Napier to succeed Colin Sharman as chairman of Aegis

Aegis Group plc ("Aegis"), the marketing communications group, today announces the appointment of John Napier to the Board of Aegis as chairman-designate. He joins the Board as a non-executive director with immediate effect and will become non-executive chairman on 17 July 2008 on the retirement of Colin Sharman.

John was chief executive of Hays plc from 1990 to 1998 and since then has been chairman of a number of major companies. Prior to that he was chief executive of AGB, the market research and information company.  From 1998 he was chairman of Booker plc until its sale to Iceland in 2000, and executive chairman, then chairman, of Kelda plc from 1999 to 2008. Kelda has recently been sold to an infrastructure fund and is now de-listed. He has been chairman of the Royal SunAlliance Group since 2003. 

Commenting, Colin Sharman, chairman of Aegis, said:

"We have given the position of a new chairman very careful consideration and after a thorough search are delighted to have recruited John. In him we have found someone with considerable Board experience at the highest levels. He is a proven chairman who has delivered to shareholders, and brings international business skills and familiarity with marketing services. The Board and I have every confidence that he will be an excellent appointment.

"It is nearly nine years since I joined the Board of Aegis. Having been chairman for eight and a half years, it is time for me to step down. I have immense pride in what Aegis has achieved - growing almost four-fold in that time. I stand down from the Board next month knowing shareholders' interests are in safe hands at Aegis, which is led by an excellent management team and a proven Board of directors with a wide variety of experience."  

For further information contact:

Charlotte Elston / Hannah Bailey

Aegis Group plc

+44 (0) 20 7070 7708 / 7725

Tim Spratt / Charles Palmer

Financial Dynamics

+44 (0) 20 7831 3113

Note to editors

1. There are no disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13 (sub section 2 to 6).

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