AGM Statement

Persimmon PLC
21 April 2005


21st April, 2005

                                  AGM STATEMENT

Duncan Davidson, Chairman of Persimmon, will make the following comments at
today's AGM to be held at the Royal York Hotel in York:

'When we announced our results for the year ended 31st December 2004, on 28th
February 2005, we commented that sales rates had returned to a more normal
level. We stated that we were selling from c. 15% more outlets compared to the
same date in 2004, and were in a strong position to maintain good sales volumes.

Since that time we have continued to sell at good levels across the UK, albeit
at slightly lower volumes than the strong comparative period in 2004. However,
the current total sales revenue for 2005 is at a similar level to the same date
in 2004, at c.£1.4 billion. We therefore remain confident of achieving our
half-year expectations. Whilst customers continue to be cautious about their
decisions to purchase, visitor levels remain healthy and reservations are in
line with normal market conditions. This is a clear indication of the on-going
resilience of the housing market.

At Persimmon's next AGM in April 2006 I will have just passed my 65th birthday.
At that date I intend to retire as Chairman and Director.

Your Board have kindly invited me to take on the position of Life President
following my retirement, and I am honoured to accept this.

John White, who has been Chief Executive of the Group for the past twelve years,
will take over from me as Chairman in April 2006. The Board recognises that
because of John's role as Chief Executive, under the provisions of the Combined
Code, his appointment merits further explanation.

In the light of John's outstanding track record, the Board considers that the
Company and its shareholders would benefit from his continuing involvement with
the Group. Since he took over as Chief Executive, group profit before tax has
risen from £10.2m to £470.4m and earnings per share have grown from 7.3p to
113.9p. His appointment is being made following consultation with a number of
our larger shareholders, who are supportive.

Mike Farley, who is currently Chief Executive of our South Division, will take
over from John as Group Chief Executive at the same date. Mike, who has been
with Persimmon for 21 years, has been extremely successful in his current role
for the last seven years. During 2004 the South Division completed c. 7,000
homes.

Sir Chips Keswick will also retire as a Non-Executive Director in April 2006. He
has given long and sterling service to our Board. We are delighted to announce
the appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Adam Applegarth, the Chief
Executive of Northern Rock plc, from 1st May 2005.

I have every confidence that Persimmon will continue to flourish in the years
ahead.

For further information please contact:
Duncan Davidson, Group Chairman 
John White, Group Chief Executive 
Tel: [phone] 

Ed Orlebar/Faeth Birch/Kirsty Flockhart
Finsbury
Tel: [phone]

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                                Notes to Editors

Duncan Davidson
Duncan Davidson (64) founded Persimmon in 1972 and led its development from a
small local housebuilder to the large and successful Group it is today.
Persimmon was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1985. Duncan has worked in
the housing industry for over 40 years.

Adam Applegarth
Adam Applegarth (42) has worked for Northern Rock for 21 years. He became an
Executive Director of Northern Rock Building Society in January 1996, was
appointed as an Executive Director of Northern Rock plc in October 1996 and
subsequently became the Company's Chief Executive in March 2001.


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