Board Update

20 June 2013

DS SMITH PLC - APPOINTMENT OF GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR

DS Smith Plc ("the Company"), the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today announces the appointment of Adrian Marsh as Group Finance Director of the Company, succeeding Steve Dryden whose decision to leave the Company was announced in January 2013.

AdrianMarsh will join DS Smith from Tesco PLC where he has been the Group Director of Tax, Treasury and Corporate Finance for the last three and a half years. Prior to this he was European CFO at AstraZeneca plc and CFO Global Building Products at Pilkington plc. He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and The Association of Corporate Treasurers. It is anticipated that he will join the Company by the end of September 2013.

Steve Dryden, Group Finance Director, will stand down from the Board and leave the Company on 28 June, following publication of the Company's final results. David Matthews, Group Financial Controller, will perform the role of Interim Group Finance Director. This appointment is not a DS Smith Plc Board appointment.

Gareth Davis, Chairman of DS Smith said:

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Adrian as Group Finance Director. He brings extensive and valuable international experience and skills and I am confident he will make a great contribution to DS Smith as we continue to execute our strategy to become the leader in recycled packaging for consumer goods.

The Board would also like to thank Steve Dryden for his hard work and dedication over the last five years and wish him well for the future."

Adrian Marsh said: "I am very excited to be joining DS Smith at such an important stage in the Company's history. I have been extremely impressed by the business and the management and look forward to supporting the Board in driving 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). Adrian Marsh does not currently hold any shares in the Company.

Enquiries:

DS Smith Plc +44 (0)1628 583 400

Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive

Hugo Fisher, Group Communications Director

Tulchan +44 (0)20 7353 4200

David Allchurch

ENDS