Director Shareholding

Diploma PLC
21 January 2004

               DIPLOMA PLC - DIRECTORS' INTERESTS IN SHARES

Diploma PLC, the international specialised distribution group, announces that 
the following Directors today purchased ordinary shares in the Company, pursuant 
to the Diploma PLC 2003 Bonus Share Matching Plan.

               No. of Ordinary Shares      Price

BM Thompson             7,459              £5.10 
I Henderson             2,869              £5.10
 
The shares were purchased by Ogier Employee Benefit Trustee, as nominee for each 
of the above Directors.

In connection with the Diploma PLC 2003 Bonus Share Matching Plan, Ogier 
Employee Benefit Trustee, as trustee of the Diploma Employee Benefit Trust ('the 
Trust') also purchased today 17,506 ordinary shares in the Company at a price 
of £5.10.

Each of the Executive Directors of the Company, BM Thompson, I Henderson, NP 
Lingwood, is deemed to be beneficially interested in all the shares held in the 
Trust from time to time by virtue of being a potential beneficiary under the 
Trust.


For further enquiries please contact:

Bruce Thompson, Chief Executive Officer         020 7638 0934 
Nigel Lingwood, Group Finance Director          020 7448 4875



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