HNT.L Regulatory News (HNT)

HUNTSWORTH ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR NEW GRAYLING CEO

MURPHY TO MOVE TO NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN ROLE WHEN SUCCESSOR APPOINTED

The Board of Huntsworth plc announces that Michael Murphy, the CEO of Grayling, has informed the Company that he intends to step down from the CEO role in due course to concentrate on building a portfolio career. As a result Mr Murphy is today appointed non-executive Chairman of Grayling in addition to his current role as CEO and will remain in that position until a successor is found. On appointment of the new CEO, Murphy will move to a part-time, non-executive Chairman role.

Peter Chadlington, Huntsworth's CEO said: "Michael was a central architect of the successful strategy to merge many of our businesses together to form a single brand and attract larger, multi-office clients. And in doing so he has established a distinct culture and work style. Grayling is now established as one of the leading international public relations and government relations firms in the world.

"Michael has decided that it's the right time for him to develop a portfolio of interests. I am delighted that he will remain with Grayling as non-executive Chairman once a successor has been found, ensuring that the heritage and values which he has created will be carried forward and built upon by his successor. We have recently appointed head hunters but it is unlikely that the new CEO will be in post until sometime in 2013."

Michael Murphy said: "I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in Grayling over the past two and a half years since it became a global company. I want to continue to support the business, our clients and my colleagues but I also feel that the time is right to develop other interests which play to my many decades of international experience. I look forward to handing the baton over to my successor and to supporting him or her in the future."

Contacts:

Huntsworth PLC +44 (0)789 996 1667

Sally Withey, Chief Operating Officer and Group Finance Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0)20 7638 9571

Simon Rigby

Angharad Couch

Jack Rich