Directorate Change

Change in Directorate

The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Julian Lloyd Sinclair as a non-executive Director of the Company with immediate effect.   Mr Sinclair will also serve as a member of the Company’s Audit and Management Engagement Committees and Nomination Committee.

Mr Sinclair is an experienced investment professional with a strong multi-asset / asset allocation background. His experience will complement the Board’s capabilities as the Company seeks to capture opportunities in the savings and retirement market.

He is the Chief Investment Officer at Talisman Global Asset Management Limited. Prior to joining Talisman, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at BlueBay Asset Management plc and a Partner at Altima Partners LLP. He started his career at Gartmore as an analyst and portfolio manager.

Mr Sinclair holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Manchester and is a CFA Charterholder.

Mr Sinclair has not been a director of any listed companies in the last five years and does not have any interest in the ordinary shares of the Company at the present time.

There are no further details or disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13R in respect of Mr Sinclair.

James Long, Chairman, commented.  ‘We are delighted that Mr Sinclair has decided to join the Board of Directors and believe that his experience in multi-asset investing will be of significant benefit.   We all look forward with enthusiasm to working together as an enhanced Board to deliver on the Company’s investment objective and strategy.”

Sarah Beynsberger
Company Secretary

Date: 21 July 2015

Notes to Editors

The Company

BlackRock Income Strategies Trust plc (BIST) is an investment trust managed by the mutli-asset team at BlackRock, with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange, and net assets at 17 July 2015 of circa £395m.   The Company's investment objective is, over the medium term (5 to 7 years), to aim to preserve capital in real terms and to grow the dividend at least in line with inflation. The Company targets a total portfolio return of UK Consumer Price Index ("CPI") plus 4 per cent per annum (before ongoing charges) over a 5 to 7 year cycle.”