Directorate Change

13 September 2012

DS SMITH PLC BOARD CHANGES

DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging, announces the following Board change.

Kathleen O'Donovan

Kathleen O'Donovan will join the Board of DS Smith Plc as a non-Executive Director on 5 December 2012. Kathleen has considerable Board level experience. Kathleen is currently Senior Independent Director of ARM Holdings plc and is a non-Executive Director of Trinity Mirror plc and chairs both their audit committees. She has recently retired as a non-Executive Director of Prudential plc after nine years (four as chair of the Audit Committee). Previously she was Senior Independent Director of Great Portland Estates plc and a non-Executive Director at EMI Group plc and O2 plc. She has served as a Director on the Court of the Bank of England from 1998 to 2004 and was Chief Financial Officer of BTR plc/Invensys plc from 1991 to 2002.

Gareth Davis, Chairman of DS Smith, said:

"I am delighted Kathleen will be joining our Board. With her impressive record, she brings most valuable experience as we embark on the next stage of the Company's development."

As required by the Listing Rules, it is confirmed that there are no details to be disclosed pursuant to LR 9.6.13 R (1) to (6). Ms O'Donovan does not currently hold any shares in the Company.

Matt JowettGroup General Counsel and Company Secretary01628 583 400