Change of Name

3 November 2020

Connect Group PLC

("the Company")

Name Change to Smiths News plc

As previously announced in our HY2020 Interim Financial Results published on 13 May 2020, in order to give clarity on our future direction, the Company confirms that it has changed its name to Smiths News plc with effect from 2 November 2020.

Trading in the Company's shares on the Main market of the London Stock Exchange under the new name of Smiths News plc is expected to take effect in due course. The Company's stock exchange ticker is also expected to change from CNCT to SNWS.

The Company's corporate website will change to www.corporate.smithsnews.co.uk 

Commenting on today's announcement, Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer, said:

'I'm delighted that we have changed our name to Smiths News plc, signalling our confidence in the core news and magazine business and its ability to deliver value to all our stakeholders.'

Enquiries:

The Company

Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer

Tony Grace, Chief Financial Officer

Investor.relations@smithsnews.co.uk 

www.corporate.smithsnews.co.uk 

Buchanan (Financial PR)

Richard Oldworth / Jamie Hooper

smithsnews@buchanan.uk.com  

www.buchanan.uk.com

Person responsible for arranging release of this announcement:

Stuart Marriner, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Smiths News plc

Rowan House

Cherry Orchard North

Kembrey Park

Swindon

SN2 8UH

email: cosec@smithsnews.co.uk

LEI: 2138004O33ONVOOQXB02

About the Company

Smiths News is the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaling business with an approximate 55 per cent. market share. It distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of the major national and regional publishers, delivering to approximately 25,000 customers across England and Wales on a daily basis. The speed of turnaround in the UK and density of Smiths News' coverage is critical to one of the world's fastest physical supply chains. In addition to the core Smiths News wholesaling business, Dawson Media Direct (DMD) supplies newspapers, magazines and inflight entertainment technology, to airlines and travel points in the UK and worldwide. Delivering to strict time windows with security accreditation, DMD serves circa 115 airports in 47 countries.