Re Directorate

Wolseley PLC
31 July 2001




                                 NEWS RELEASE

                                 31 July 2001


                         Retirement of James B Thomas



Wolseley plc announces that James (Jake) B Thomas, Director of US Investments,
will be retiring from the Board with effect from today having attained the
normal retirement age.


Jake was a key member of the Ferguson senior management team when Wolseley
moved into the USA through the acquisition of Ferguson in 1982. Jake made a
substantial contribution to the development of Ferguson over the next fourteen
years holding a variety of senior positions. He was appointed to the Wolseley
Board on 1 February 1996 and assumed responsibility for his current position
on 1 August 1996. Since that date Wolseley's US operations have increased
sales by 75% from £2.2 billion to £3.9 billion for the year to 31 July 2000
and profits over the same period by 96% from £112 million to £221 million.


Chip Hornsby, appointed to the Wolseley Board on 3 May 2001, will continue to
be responsible for Wolseley's US plumbing and heating activities and Fenton
Hord, appointed to the Wolseley Board on 2 October 2000, will continue to be
responsible for Wolseley's US Building Materials operations.


Charles Banks, Group Chief Executive, said, 'Jake has been instrumental in
laying the foundations for the consolidation of the US plumbing and heating
business. His overall record clearly demonstrates that he has been a key
contributor to Wolseley's outstanding growth in the USA. Jake has planned his
retirement in his usual forward thinking manner and his Board responsibilities
will be handled by Chip Hornsby and Fenton Hord.'


Richard Ireland, Chairman, said, 'Jake is an outstanding example to us all. We
are most grateful to him for the significant contribution he has made to the
development of Wolseley's market leading US Plumbing Supplies and Building
Materials businesses. He has established a platform for further success over
the coming years and helped to achieve a smooth transition to the new
management team to take us forward in the USA.'




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ENQUIRIES:


                          Richard Ireland - Chairman

                    Wolseley plc - Telephone [phone]


                        Tom Wyatt - Financial Dynamics

                           Telephone [phone]




                               www.wolseley.com