BSkyB announces proposed Board appointments

18 November 2011

BSkyB announces proposed Board appointments

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc ('BSkyB' or 'the Company') announces today its intention to appoint Martin Gilbert and Matthieu Pigasse to its Board as Independent Non-Executive Directors. The proposed appointments are part of BSkyB's previously announced programme to replace current members of the Board as they retire. It is intended that Mr Gilbert and Mr Pigasse will be appointed immediately following this year's Annual General Meeting on 29 November 2011, when David Evans and Allan Leighton will retire from the Board.

Mr Gilbert is a founder shareholder and Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management plc, the leading independent fund management group. He is a director of a number of investment trusts and Chairman of First Group plc and was recently appointed as Adjunct Professor of Finance at Imperial College's Tanaka Business School.

Mr Pigasse is Chief Executive Officer of Lazard France and Vice-Chairman of Lazard Europe, where he has advised both national governments and a wide range of corporate clients in the European TMT sector. He is also the owner of the French publishing group, Les Inrockuptibles and a co-controlling shareholder of the leading newspaper publisher Le Monde and the French edition of the Huffington Post. Prior to Lazard, he held a number of senior governmental roles, including most recently Chief of Staff to Laurent Fabius, French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry (2000-2002). He is a board member of Groupe Lucien Barrière and Derichebourg.

James Murdoch, BSkyB Chairman, said:

"Martin Gilbert and Matthieu Pigasse will bring wide-ranging expertise to BSkyB. With backgrounds encompassing significant experience in UK public companies and the European media sector, they will complement and add to the existing skills of our Board."

Lord Wilson of Dinton, Chairman of BSkyB's Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, said:

"The Board has begun an orderly programme to replace existing Directors as they retire over the coming years. After a comprehensive search supported by external consultants, we are pleased to have identified two strong, independent Directors who will contribute to the Company's continued progress."

In relation to Martin Gilbert and Matthieu Pigasse's appointment as Independent Non-Executive Directors of BSkyB, no further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13.

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