Board Changes

Embargoed release

12 April 2011

Punch Taverns plc

Board Appointment

The Board of Punch Taverns Plc ("Punch" or "the Group") today announces that Walker Boyd will join the Board with immediate effect as a Non-Executive Director, and will become Non-Executive Chairman of Spirit plc at demerger.

Walker Boyd, aged 58, is Non-Executive Chairman of WH Smith, a position he has held since 1 September 2010 after joining the Board as Non-Executive Director in February 2010. He has substantial retail expertise both in the UK and the USA. He was Group Finance Director at Signet Jewellers Limited, previously Signet Group plc, until June 2010, having held this position since 1995.

No further information is required to be disclosed in respect of Walker Boyd pursuant to

Listing Rule 9.6.13R (1) to (6).

Commenting on the appointment, Ian Dyson, Chief Executive of Punch Taverns plc, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Walker to the Board. He brings a significant amount of consumer and City experience to the team, having held senior leadership roles in both UK and US listed companies working in challenging market environments. I look forward to working with him closely, both in the run up to demerger and in his role as Chairman of Spirit plc."

Walker Boyd said:

"I am excited to be joining the Group and by the opportunity to be Chairman of Spirit following the demerger. Strategic and operational progress is already being made across the business and it is well positioned for growth. I look forward to working with Spirit's management team to help develop the strategy and the execution required to deliver shareholder value."

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This statement should be read in conjunction with the Punch Taverns plc interim results announcement, also released today.

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