Sirius Minerals Regulatory News (SXX)

23 December 2013

Board Changes

· Keith Clarke CBE, former CEO of WS Atkins plc, appointed as non-executive director

· Sir David Higgins steps down due to other work commitments

The Directors of Sirius Minerals Plc (AIM: SXX, OTCQX: SRUXY) ("Sirius" or the "Company") are pleased to announce an appointment to the board of directors.

Mr Keith Edward Frank Clarke CBE, 61, has been appointed as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Keith was Chief Executive Officer of WS Atkins plc, the UK's largest design and Engineering Consultancy for eight years to July 2011 and previously held CEO roles with Skanska UK and Kvaerner Construction Group. He also acted as Director of Sustainability and Chairman of Atkins' Middle East business until April 2012.

Keith Clarke is Chair of Trustees for Forum for the Future, Non-Executive Director for Engineering UK, Future Cities Catapult and the British Standards Institute, Vice President of the Institute of Civil Engineering and adviser to both Infrastructure UK and the Government of Qatar.

Sir David Higgins steps down given his recent appointment as Chairman of HS2 and his current commitments with Network Rail. He said:

"I will be sad to step down from the Sirius board but I will always be a strong supporter of the company and the huge commercial investment that York Potash represents for Yorkshire and the North East. Keith Clarke is well known to me and I'm confident he will be a great addition to the board." 

Russell Scrimshaw, Chairman of Sirius said:

"Keith brings a wealth of understanding in the areas of complex project approvals and construction management and is a passionate advocate of the environment and sustainable development. He will be invaluable in this next phase of the company's progress towards securing permission for and construction of the York Potash Project.

"I would like to place on record our very sincere thanks to Sir David for his important contribution to the company and wish him every success in the future. We are delighted to have been able to replace him with such a highly qualified and experienced appointment to the Sirius board."

Directorships currently held or previously held in the last five years by Keith Clarke are as follows:

· Associated Employers Limited

· Faithful & Gould Limited

· Atkins Beta Limited

· Atkins Consultants Limited

· Atkins Facilities Management Limited

· WS Atkins International Limited

· Atkins Investments Limited

· WS Atkins Plc

· Atkins Rail Limited

· Atkins Limited

(All resigned from in August 2011)

· Construction Industry Council (2008 - 2011).

In connection with his appointment Keith Clarke will be granted 1,800,000 share options. The share options are granted under the Company's Share Option Plan with an exercise price of 30 pence per share and vest after three years and expire after ten years. The share options previously granted to Sir David Higgins will lapse in accordance with the terms of the Company's Share Option Plan.

There is no further information on Keith Clarke required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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About Sirius Minerals Plc

Sirius Minerals is a globally diversified potash development company. Its primary focus is to bring on stream major potash mining facilities through the acquisition and development of projects overlying recognised potash deposits. Today it holds properties in the United Kingdom (North Yorkshire) and the United States (North Dakota). Incorporated in 2003, Sirius Minerals' shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Its shares are also traded in the United States on the OTCQX through a sponsored ADR facility. Further information on the Company can be found at www.siriusminerals.com.