Press releases & announcements

05 September 2007

Directorate Change

Nigel Newton, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc announces that he and the Nominations Committee of Bloomsbury have appointed a new Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in order to achieve the Company's ambitions for the next stage of its development. Newton wishes to separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive in accordance with corporate governance best practice.

Jeremy Wilson has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman with effect from 27 September, 2007. Jeremy has worked at Barclays Bank PLC since 1972, where he has held a number of senior management positions. He is Vice Chairman, Business Banking at Barclays Bank PLC, a position he will retain. Jeremy Wilson has 30 years experience in the corporate and institutional world both internationally and within the United Kingdom. He brings to Bloomsbury City and global financial services experience, both as a banker and as a Non-Executive Director of various organisations around the world. He has been a Non-Executive Director of Bloomsbury since November 2005.

Commenting, Nigel Newton, Founder and Chief Executive of Bloomsbury, said:

“For some time I have been considering separating the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive. I see this as useful in achieving Bloomsbury's ambitions in the years ahead, allowing me to concentrate on the development and execution of Bloomsbury's strategy during a period when we foresee significant change in the publishing industry; I am very pleased that Jeremy Wilson has accepted the Board's invitation to become Non-Executive Chairman. He brings with him valuable experience in business and finance within a FTSE 100 company; his skills and background make him well suited to become Non-Executive Chairman of Bloomsbury. I know that I can work closely with him which is crucial."

Commenting, Jeremy Wilson, said:

“I am pleased at the prospect of becoming Non-Executive Chairman of Bloomsbury; it is a remarkably successful Company with a formidable publishing list, a wealth of talented individuals at all levels of the Company, with one of the most widely recognised brands in worldwide publishing. Bloomsbury is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities now arising in the publishing sector.”

Commenting, Charles Black, Vice Chairman of Bloomsbury, said:

“I am delighted that Jeremy has agreed to take the role of Non-Executive Chairman of Bloomsbury. The Board owes a great debt of gratitude to Nigel for the way in which he has performed both roles since he founded the Company in September, 1986; Jeremy Wilson's appointment will greatly assist Nigel as Chief Executive, and the Directors of the Company, in realising the strategic objectives of Bloomsbury.”

To talk to Jeremy Wilson and Nigel Newton:
Analysts phone conference at 9:00am. Please dial 020 8861 9260 (participant code: 540342#)
Shareholder phone conference at 9:30am. Please dial 020 8861 9260 (participant code: 540342#)
Press phone conference at 10:00am. Please dial 020 8861 9260 (participant code: 540342#)

Or contact Dan de Belder at Bell Pottinger on telephone number 020 7861 3881 or e-mail ddebelder@bell-pottinger.co.uk

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