Statement re Change of Auditor

The Go-Ahead Group plc

(the "Group")

Change of Auditor

Following shareholder approval at the Group's Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") on 22 October 2015 (the "AGM"), the Group announces that Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") has resigned as the Company's auditor and that Deloitte LLP ("Deloitte") has been appointed as the Company's auditor. The resignation and appointment were effective from the conclusion of the AGM.

The change of auditor follows the recommendation by the Board to appoint Deloitte, after a competitive tender process. The tender was in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code and further details of the process are set out in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 27 June 2015.

In accordance with section 519 of the Companies Act 2006, EY have deposited a statement with the Group of the circumstances connected with them ceasing to hold office as auditors of the Company (the "Statement"). The Statement confirms that EY resigned as auditor of the Group because it was unsuccessful in the tender of the audit contract and that there are no other circumstances in connection with its resignation that need to be brought to the attention of the Company's shareholders or creditors. A copy of the Statement will be sent to every person who is entitled to receive a copy of the Group's accounts. 

The following documents have been submitted electronically to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.

- Letter from EY including statement of circumstances connected with ceasing to hold office as auditors

- Company Secretary's explanatory letter

The Statement can also be found on the Company's website at www.go-ahead.co.uk.

For further information please contact:

Carolyn Ferguson, Group Company Secretary - 0191 232 3123