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 Paul Trickett as non-executive independent Director of the
Company with effect from 30 January 2013.

Paul Trickett worked in the pensions and financial services sector from 1988
until 2013 having been a managing director in Goldman Sachs Asset Management
responsible for their multi asset class investments, head of the investment
consulting practice of Towers Watson in EMEA and Chief Executive of the British
Coal Pension Schemes.  He now acts as a non executive director and trustee for
a number of organisations.

Hamish Buchan, who has been a non-executive independent Director since November
2003, will retire as a Director of the Company at the Annual General Meeting to
be held on 5 March 2013. Hamish 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])

29 January 2013