Directorate Change

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc (the "Company")

The Board of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc is pleased to announce the
appointment of Mrs Julia Le Blan and Mrs Paula Hay-Plumb as non-executive
independent Directors of the Company with effect from 29 January 2014.

Julia is a chartered accountant and has worked in the financial services
industry for over 30 years. She was formerly a tax partner at Deloitte and
expert on the taxation of investment trust companies. She sat for two terms on
the AIC's technical committee and is also a Director of Investors Capital Trust
plc, Impax Environmental Markets plc and JP Morgan US Smaller Companies 
Investment Trust plc.

Paula is a chartered accountant and an experienced director with a wealth of
finance and governance expertise in both the private and public sectors. Her
previous roles include Corporate Finance and Group Reporting Director at Marks
and Spencer plc, Chairman of the National Australia Group Common Investment
Fund and non-executive board member of Skipton Building Society. Paula is
currently Senior Independent Director of the National Audit Office and a
Non-Executive Board Member of Hyde Housing Association. She is also Finance
Director of Rosling King LLP.

Walter Nimmo, who has been a non-executive independent Director since July
2004, will retire as a Director of the Company at the Annual General Meeting to
be held on 27 February 2014. Walter 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
FCA Handbook.

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

28 January 2014