Directorate Change

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc

Retirement of a Director:

Mr Richard Brewster has today announced his decision to retire as Chairman and
a Director of the Company following the Annual General Meeting of the Company
to be held on 27 June 2012. Mr Nicholas Fry, who is currently a Director and
Chairman of the Audit Committee, will succeed Mr Brewster as Chairman of the
Company upon his retirement.

The Board is in the process of identifying a new Director to fill the vacancy
arising from the forthcoming retirement of Mr Brewster. An announcement in
respect of the Director to succeed Mr Fry as Audit Committee Chairman will be
made in due course.

Caroline Driscoll
Company Secretary

Date: 20 March 2012