Persimmon Regulatory News (PSN)

10 January 2011

Persimmon plc

Directorate Change

Persimmon plc announces that John White has informed the Board of his intention to step down as Chairman and retire from the Company at the Annual General Meeting on 21 April this year.

John White joined Persimmon in 1979 when it was a privately owned company, rising to Group Chief Executive in 1993, a role he held for 13 years, before becoming Group Chairman in April 2006.

The Board is pleased to announce it has agreed to appoint Nicholas Wrigley, a non-executive director of Persimmon plc since 2006, as the new Chairman of the company.

Mike Farley, Group Chief Executive of Persimmon said: "John has made an immense contribution to Persimmon over the past three decades, particularly in his roles as Chief Executive and Chairman. His efforts have been fundamental to making the company one of the UK's premier housebuilders."

John White, Group Chairman of Persimmon said: "It's been a great privilege to serve Persimmon for 32 years but I feel this is the appropriate time for me to move on. I leave the company in the knowledge that it is in a great position for the future, with a strong balance sheet, a first class management team and an excellent Board of Directors".

"Nicholas Wrigley has been a valued member of the Board since 2006 and I'm confident he is the ideal person to oversee Persimmon's further strengthening as a leading housebuilder."

Notes to editors:

John White

John White (age 59) was appointed Group Chairman in April 2006, previously having been Group Chief Executive for 13 years. He has spent all his working life in the housing industry.

After joining Persimmon in 1979 he was responsible for establishing the Group's operations in the Midlands, following which he was appointed Regional Chairman for the South.

Mr White was appointed to the Board in 1986 and is currently Chairman of the Nomination Committee and the Risk Committee.

Nicholas Wrigley

Nicholas Wrigley (age 55) is an Executive Vice Chairman of Rothschild London and a member of its Global Investment Banking Committee and Global Management Committee. He has over 25 years of mergers and acquisitions experience at Rothschild. Before joining Rothschild he qualified as an accountant.

Mr Wrigley was appointed to the Board on 1 February 2006 and is currently Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination Committees.