Directorate Change

Merchants Trust PLC
12 July 2006


For immediate release

12 July 2006


                            The Merchants Trust PLC


The Merchants Trust PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of James Sassoon
as a non-executive director of the company.

James Sassoon is currently The Chancellor's Representative for Promotion for the
City at HM Treasury. From 2002 to 2006 he was Managing Director of HM Treasury's
Finance and Industry Directorate and a Member of the Treasury Board.  Before
that, he had worked at UBS Warburg since 1987 where he held a number of
positions, latterly Vice Chairman, Investment Banking.

A chartered accountant, he is to be appointed Chairman of the company's audit
committee in September, replacing Joe Scott Plummer,  who will cease to be
Chairman of this committee after the announcement of the company's interim
results.

There are no other details requiring disclosure under paragraph 9.6.13 of the
FSA's Listing Rules.


Enquiries:

Hugh Stevenson
Chairrnan
The Merchants Trust PLC

Telephone: [phone]

Simon White
Head of Investment Trusts
RCM (UK) Ltd
Telephone: [phone]




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