Board Appointment

Appointment of Non-Executive Director

19 October 2017

DEBENHAMS PLC

BOARD APPOINTMENT

Debenhams plc announces that it has today appointed David Adams as a non-executive director. He will join the Audit and Remuneration Committees of the board. He will become Chairman of the Audit Committee in January 2018, when Mark Rolfe, the current Chairman of the Audit Committee, intends to step down from the Debenhams board.

Sir Ian Cheshire, Chairman of Debenhams, said:

"We are delighted to welcome David Adams to Debenhams. He has had a long and distinguished career in the retail and consumer goods industries. His knowledge of the consumer and leisure sectors as well as his financial credentials will be a great addition to the board."

There is no information to disclose under LR 9.6.13R pertaining to this appointment.

About David Adams

David was Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive of House of Fraser plc until 2006, then Executive Chairman of Jessops plc, becoming Non-Executive Chairman in 2009. In addition, he has held several Executive and Non-Executive roles in 30 years in retailing, including ten years as a plc Finance Director. David is currently the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at Halfords Group plc and a director of the following AIM listed companies: Conviviality Retail plc (which he chairs),Fever Tree Drinks plc, Elegant Hotels Group plc and Thinksmart plc.

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Enquiries

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Notes to editors

Debenhams is a leading international, department store destination with a proud British heritage which trades out of 246 stores across 26 countries and is available online in more than 60 countries. Debenhams gives its customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, international brands and concessions.

Debenhams has been investing in design for over 20 years through its exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio of brands. Current designers include Abigail Ahern, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Sadie Frost and Jemima French, Patrick Grant, Henry Holland, Ben de Lisi, Todd Lynn, Julien Macdonald, Savannah Miller, Jenny Packham, Aliza Reger, John Rocha, Ashley Thomas, Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.