FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy Index Series

Premier Farnell named top ranking FTSE 250 company in

FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy Index Series

06 July 2010, London - Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), the leading multi-channel, high service distributor of electronic products and services to millions of design engineers and purchasing professionals globally, is delighted to announce it has been named as the highest ranking FTSE 250 company in the new FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy 350 Index ("the Index").

The Index provides a "carbon-tilted" version of the FTSE 350, highlighting variation based on constituents' exposure to carbon risk relative to their sector peers. It is the first assessment of its kind to utilise future-orientated criteria rather than past emissions data, and is designed to provide both retail and institutional investors with the opportunity to achieve diversified market exposure in addition to managing the impact of climate change in their investments.

The Index is the first of a series of benchmarks, The FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy Index Series, being jointly produced by the FTSE Group, the Carbon Disclosure Group ('CDP') and carbon performance agency ENDS Carbon. The Series has been designed in response to growing awareness of the significant potential impact of climate change on investment returns. Premier Farnell's carbon reduction programme is in its fourth year and to date has achieved a 23% reduction in emissions.

Harriet Green, CEO of Premier Farnell said "As a global company, we are aware of the strategic importance of the social and environmental impact that our activities can have and we believe it is critical that we conduct our business in a sustainable and responsible manner. Our ranking in the Index - 11th overall and the highest placed FTSE 250 constituent - is testament to the hard work and commitment shown in this area by all of our employees.

"Our carbon reduction effort remains an integral part of our Trust Agenda, as our CSR drive rests at the very core of our culture. Our employees tell us every year, in our regular survey of their views, how important our environmental and community focus is to them. We continue to work hard for further improvements as part of our drive to remain best in class in all aspects of our business performance."

About Premier Farnell

Premier Farnell plc is leading the way in the high service, multi-channel provision of essential products, information, software and technology solutions to electronic design engineers, maintenance and repair engineers and purchasing professionals globally. Its differentiated proposition includes 29 local language transactional websites, and the critically important element14 ecommunity for design engineers - an industry first (www.element-14.com). With sales last year of £795.3m and underlying profits of £54.8 the Group distributes its comprehensive portfolio of products and services throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, supported by a global supply chain of over 3,500 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to anticipate and meet its customers' needs. Recently awarded Platinum status by the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index the business takes its CSR commitments very seriously.

Key facts

·; Over 3,500 leading suppliers

·; Over 400,000 products stocked with access to over four million 

·; Millions of customers in over 156 industries 

For more information visit the website at www.Premierfarnell.com.

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