Directorate Change

30 April 2015

DIRECTORATE CHANGE

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Berendsen plc announces that Peter Ventress will retire as a director of the Company with effect from 31 July 2015.

The Board has conducted a comprehensive search to identify Peter's successor and is delighted to announce the appointment of James Drummond to the role of Chief Executive from 1 August 2015.

James, 53, was previously Chief Executive of Avincis Group, the leading provider of aerial services for mission critical operations. Avincis was bought by Babcock plc in 2014. Before Avincis, James was Chief Executive of Invensys Rail, a major division of Invensys plc.

James will join the Board of Berendsen on 1 July 2015. He will receive a comprehensive handover from Peter, allowing him to take up the role of Chief Executive on 1 August 2015.

Iain Ferguson, Berendsen Chairman, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Peter for his excellent leadership of Berendsen over the past six years. During this time the team at Berendsen has delivered significant shareholder value and has created a business with continuing momentum towards achieving its strategic objectives. We wish Peter well in the next stage of his career as he builds his non executive portfolio. We are delighted to appoint James to succeed Peter. James has the right skills and experience to lead Berendsen during the next stage of its development."

Contacts:

Further information:

James Drummond biography

James Drummond was, until recently, CEO of Avincis Group, which was owned by KKR & InvestIndustrial and successfully sold to Babcock in 2014. Avincis was a combination of two groups, Bond and INEAR and had operations in 10 countries over three continents and 4,000 employees. James initially led the integration of the two groups and then grew the business significantly. It was sold for an enterprise value of €2.1bn. Before Avincis, James was Chief Executive at Invensys Rail, a major division of Invensys plc, which he transformed through a strong focus on customer solutions, introduction of new service technologies and access to new international markets.

There are no disclosures required in respect of James Drummond under paragraphs 9.6.13 (2)-(6) of the FCA's Listing Rules.

Retirement of Peter Ventress

The information set out below is provided in accordance with section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006 following the announcement of the retirement of Peter Ventress as a Director of Berendsen plc (the "Company"). Under the Group's incentive arrangements, Peter will be treated as a 'good leaver' by reason of retirement..

Salary and Benefits:

There is no payment for loss of office on Peter Ventress ceasing to be a Director. Mr Ventress is expected to remain with the Company until retirement from employment on 28 April 2016 (the "Retirement Date"), and will continue to receive his salary and benefits in accordance with his current service agreement, details of which are set out in the Company's 2014 Remuneration Report, available at http://www.berendsen.com/reports-and-accounts (the "Remuneration Report") until the Retirement Date.

Annual Bonus and Long Term Incentive Plans:

Mr Ventress will continue to be eligible for a bonus payment for the 2015 financial year, subject to a pro rata reduction from the date he resigned as a director of the Berendsen plc board to 31 December 2015. He will not be eligible to receive a bonus in 2016.

Mr Ventress received awards under the Company's Deferred Bonus Share Plan 2006 ("DBSP") in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The awards relating to 2013 will vest in March 2016, and the actual number of shares will be calculated on the date of vesting. The awards relating to 2014 and 2015 will vest on the Retirement Date, and the actual number of shares will be calculated on that date.

Mr Ventress also received awards under the Company's Co-Investment Plan 2009 ("CIP") and the Company's Performance Share Plan 2006 ("PSP") in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In respect of 2013 and 2014, Mr Ventress will be entitled to receive any shares vesting under the CIP and the PSP . The awards will vest, and the actual amount of shares will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the CIP and PSP for good leavers due to retirement and pro-rated (where appropriate) to his Retirement Date. The awards received in respect of 2015 lapsed on 29 April 2015. Details of the operation of the Long Term Incentive Plans are set out in the Remuneration Report.

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