Appointment of Chairman

6th February 2006

                              The Sage Group plc                               

                            Appointment of Chairman                            

The Sage Group plc ('Sage') today announces the appointment of Sir Julian
Horn-Smith as a non-executive director, with effect from 3 March 2006, and as
Chairman of the Board, with effect from 1 August 2006. Sage Chairman Michael
Jackson will retire from the Board on 1 August 2006, having joined the Board in
1984 and been its Chairman since 1997.

Sir Julian, aged 57, has been a senior executive of Vodafone, one of the
Europe's largest public companies, since 1984 and will retire from the company
in July 2006. Since 2005, he has been Vodafone's Deputy Chief Executive, and
before that, from 2001 until 2004, he had been the Group's Chief Operating
Officer. This followed a number of other senior roles in the company, beginning
with his involvement in the launch of Vodafone in 1984. Sir Julian is also a
non-executive director of Smiths Group plc and Lloyds TSB Group.

After a career during which he helped transform Vodafone from a UK business
into an international brand and organisation, Sir Julian will bring to Sage
considerable experience as an international business leader, in particular
around investment in and integration of acquisitions.

Michael Jackson leaves after 22 years with Sage, having guided the Group
through its initial growth to become UK market leader, its flotation as a
listed company and its international expansion through a series of successful
acquisitions.

Lindsay Bury, senior non-executive director of Sage, said: 'We are delighted to
welcome Sir Julian to the Sage Board. He brings a wealth of experience in
building and managing businesses in competitive and complex markets. The Board
would also like to thank Michael Jackson for his substantial contribution to
Sage's growth over the past 22 years, and particularly for his guidance of our
international expansion through acquisition. He leaves the Group well-placed
for continuing growth.'

There are no other details requiring disclosure under Listing Rule 9.6.13,
relating to further information on this appointment, including other public
company directorships.

Enquiries

The Sage Group plc 0191 294 3055         Tulchan Communications 020 7353 4200  
                                                                               
Paul Walker, Chief Executive             Julie Foster                          
                                                                               
Paul Harrison, Finance Director          Kirstie Hamilton                      
                                                                               
Phil Branston, Investor Relations