Directorate Change

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc (the "Company")

The Board of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc is pleased to announce the
appointment of Mr Richard Rae as non-executive independent Director of the
Company with effect from 26 January 2012.

Richard Rae qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG and joined Hoare
Govett as an investment analyst in 1987. He spent 22 years working in
investment research and equities management, latterly as a Managing Director,
responsible for smaller companies, in the Global Equities division of ABN AMRO
(subsequently RBS). Since 2009, he has established himself as an independent
management consultant providing due diligence and corporate advice to both
listed and unlisted companies. He is a non-executive director of Mouchel Group
plc.

Eddie Cran, who has been a non-executive independent Director since July 2001,
will retire as a Director of the Company at the Annual General Meeting to be
held on 7 March 2012. Eddie has been a valued member of the Board and the Directors
will miss his insights and invaluable contributions.

There are no further details required to be disclosed under LR 9.6.13 of the
FSA Handbook.

Aberforth Partners LLP, Secretaries (Tel: [phone])

25 January 2012