Directorate Change

Change in Directorate

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc (“the Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Susan Platts-Martin as a non-executive Director of the Company with effect from 21 April 2016.   Ms Platts-Martin will also serve as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and Nomination and Management Engagement Committees.

Ms Platts-Martin is a qualified chartered accountant with 26 years experience in financial services. She brings to the Board considerable knowledge of investment companies and investment management generally. She was the first head of investment trusts at Fidelity Worldwide Investment, responsible for establishing and growing a successful investment trust business. She has experience of both open and closed ended funds having also been director of product development and head of fund accounting at Fidelity.

Ms Platts-Martin has held the following directorships of publicly quoted companies in the last five years:

Non-Executive Director Witan Pacific Investment Trust PLC

Ms Platts-Martin 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 Ms Platts-Martin.

The Company also wishes to announce that that Mrs Gillian Nott, a non-executive Director of the Company, has confirmed that she will not stand for re-election at the Company’s next Annual General Meeting on 9 June 2016, and will retire as a Director with effect from that date.  Mrs Nott has served as a Director of the Company since 25 January 2005, and also acts as the Senior Independent Director of the Company.  It is intended that Mr Robert Robertson, currently a Director of the Company, will replace Mrs Nott in the role of Senior Independent Director with effect from the date of her retirement.

Enquiries:

Sarah Beynsberger
Company Secretary
Tel: [phone]

Press Enquires:

Lucy Horne, Lansons Communications
Tel: [phone]
Email:[e-mail]

Date: 18 March 2016