Directorate Change

Diploma PLC
07 January 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 7 January 2004

                                  DIPLOMA PLC
                    APPOINTMENT OF JOHN RENNOCKS AS CHAIRMAN

Diploma PLC, the international specialised distribution group, is pleased to
announce that John Rennocks has today been appointed Chairman of the Company.

John suceeds Christopher Thomas who, as indicated in the Company's Preliminary
Announcement on 17 November 2003, had decided to retire from the Board at the
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting held today.

In his role as Chairman and Chief Executive of the Company, and in recent years
as Non-executive Chairman, Chris has been instrumental in growing the Company to
its current market capitalisation in excess of £100m from a base of £0.5m in
1969.

The Board wish to record their gratitude to Chris for all his help and guidance
over many years and send their best wishes to him and his family in his
retirement.

Commenting on his appointment, John Rennocks said:

'I look forward greatly to working closely with Bruce and his team and to the
challenges of leading the Company through its next important stage of
development. I would also like to thank Chris for all his diligence and wisdom
in driving the Company to the robust financial position which it is in today.'




For further enquiries please contact:

Bruce Thompson, Chief Executive Officer             020 7638 0934
Nigel Lingwood, Group Finance Director              020 7448 4875
Ian Seaton, Bankside Consultants                    020 7444 4157
Heather Salmond, Bankside Consultants               020 7444 4148





NOTE TO EDITORS:

John Rennocks FCA, age 58, joined the Board in July 2002. He is a Director of
Xenova plc and a Director of Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust Plc. He has
previously been Executive Director - Finance at Corus Group Plc and Finance
Director of PowerGen Plc and Smith & Nephew plc.



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