ECM.L Regulatory News (ECM)

ELECTROCOMPONENTS PLC ("the Company")

A N N O U N C E M E N T

Directorate Change

30 July 2010

ELECTROCOMPONENTS APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

Electrocomponents plc, the world's largest high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Johnson as Chairman of the Company, following the retirement of Helmut Mamsch at the recent AGM. Peter will become Chairman on 1 October 2010 and, in the meantime, Rupert Soames will continue to serve as Acting Chairman.

Peter is Chairman of DS Smith Plc, a leading international producer of paper and packaging materials and distributor of office products. He is also a non-Executive Director of SSL International plc and a Member of the Supervisory Board of Wienerberger AG. He was previously Chief Executive of George Wimpey Plc and prior to that Chief Executive of The Rugby Group plc.

Rupert Soames commented: "We are all delighted that Peter will be joining the Electrocomponents Board. He brings with him a wealth of international business experience across a number of different sectors, is well-known to investors, and has all the skills necessary to support the Group's continued development."

Peter Johnson said:

"I am very pleased to be joining Electrocomponents, a company with an excellent reputation. It is a strong and well invested global business with leading positions in many markets and attractive structural growth opportunities. I am very much looking forward to taking up my new role and working with the Board."

Ian Haslegrave

Company Secretary

30 July 2010

John Sunnucks / David Allchurch Tulchan Communications 020 7353 4200

Note to Editors:

Peter Johnson - career summary

Peter Johnson, aged 63, has been Chairman of DS Smith plc since January 2007, having joined its Board as a non-Executive Director in 1999. He has been a Member of the Supervisory Board of Wienerberger AG, the world's largest brick manufacturer, since 2005 and became a non‑Executive Director of SSL International plc in 2008. Previously he was Chief Executive of George Wimpey plc (2000-2006) and prior to that Chief Executive of The Rugby Group plc (1996-2000).