Howden Joinery Group Plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Pennycook as an independent Non-Executive Director. He will take up his new role on 18 September 2013.

Richard will take over as Chairman of the Audit Committee from Angus Cockburn who, as previously announced, will stand down later in the year. Following his appointment, Richard will also be a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Richard is the current Interim Group Finance Director of The Co-operative Group. Prior to that he was Group Finance Director at WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc, where he had responsibility for the group's finance, IT, strategy and multi-channel development. Richard was also previously Group Finance Director at RAC Ltd, JD Wetherspoon Plc, HP Bulmer Holdings Plc and Laura Ashley Holdings Plc. He was also Chief Executive Officer at Welcome Break Holdings Ltd. Richard is currently Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Persimmon Plc and a Non-Executive Chairman of The Hut Group Limited. He was also a Non-Executive Director of Thomas Cook Group Plc.

There is no further information which is required to be disclosed in accordance with 9.6.13R of the Listing Rules.

Enquiries should be directed to:

Forbes McNaughton, Deputy Company Secretary:
+44 (0)207 535 1137