Directorate Change

Punch Taverns Plc

Re: Directorate

The Board of Punch Taverns Plc ("Punch" or "the Group") today announces that Ian Dyson has been appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer. Ian will join Punch on a date to be agreed.

Ian will join Punch from Marks & Spencer plc where he has held the role of Group Finance and Operations Director with broad responsibility across store operations. Ian held this role from April 2008 prior to which he held the position of Group Finance Director since 2005 when he joined the company. Before this role Ian was Finance Director at The Rank Group plc until June 2005.

Ian has a deep understanding of the retail and leisure sector as well as a strong track record of driving operational performance having worked in some of the UK's leading businesses. Ian's career spans 27 years in organisations such as Marks & Spencer plc, The Rank Group plc, Hilton Group plc, Granada/Forte plc and Arthur Andersen.

Ian also holds a Non Executive Directorship at Betfair Limited to which he was appointed in January 2010 and he was also a Non Executive Director of Misys plc until September 2005.

No further information is required to be disclosed in respect of Ian Dyson pursuant to

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

Peter Cawdron, Chairman, said:

"Ian is an exceptional hire who will add further strength to the high calibre team at Punch. Ian brings a great combination of strategic, operational and financial experience having worked in some of the UK's leading businesses. These skills will be invaluable to Punch's future development. I am delighted to welcome Ian to Punch"

5th May 2010

ENQUIRIES:

Punch Taverns Tel: 020 7255 4002

Peter Cawdron

Smithfield Group

John Kiely Tel: 020 7903 0667

Note to Editors

Ian's career spans 27 years in some of the UK's leading businesses. Ian has played a key role in the turnaround of Marks & Spencer plc and prior to joining Ian was Finance Director of The Rank Group plc from 1999 to 2005 during which time he played a key role in the restructuring and repositioning of the Group.

In his current role of Group Finance and Operations Director Ian also holds responsibility for Supply Chain, Retail Operations and Human Resources. He held this role from April 2008 prior to which he held the position of Group Finance Director since 2005 when he joined the company, also holding accountability for the International Division, Property and Information Technology. Before this he was Finance Director at The Rank Group plc until June 2005.

Prior to this, Ian held a number of senior roles within Hilton Group plc where he was Group Financial Controller & Finance Director for the International Hotels Division from 1996 to 1999; and Granada/Forte plc where he was Finance Director, Meridien Hotels & Resorts from 1994 to 1996. From 1983 to 1994 Ian built his career as a Chartered Accountant at Arthur Andersen achieving Partner status in 1994.