Directorate Change

Johnson Matthey PLC
12 December 2005



                                For Release at 7.00 am Monday 12th December 2005



              Johnson Matthey - Appointment of Chairman Designate


Johnson Matthey is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir John Banham to
succeed Michael Miles as its Chairman.  In the company's 2005 Annual Report in
June, Michael Miles announced that he would be retiring from the board during
the coming year.

Sir John Banham has agreed to join the board as Chairman Designate with effect
from the 1st of January 2006.  It is the board's intention that Sir John will be
appointed as Chairman of the board with effect from the 1st of April 2006 when
Michael Miles retires.

Sir John, aged 65, is currently the Chairman of Cyclacel Plc (the Dundee-based
cancer biotech company) and Spacelabs Healthcare Inc. and the Senior Independent
Director of Amvescap PLC.  He was at McKinsey from 1969 to 1983, becoming a
Director in 1979.  He then became the first Controller of the Audit Commission
from 1983 to 1987 and Director General of the Confederation of British Industry
from 1987 to 1992.

He became a director of both National Power and National Westminster Bank from
1992 to 1998, Chairman of Tarmac plc from 1994 to 1999, Chairman of Kingfisher
plc from 1995 to 2001, Chairman of Geest plc from 2002 to 2005 and Chairman of
Whitbread PLC from 2000 to 2005.  In the unquoted sector, he was the founding
Chairman of Westcounty Television from 1992 to 1995 and the Chairman of ECI
Ventures LLP from 1992 to 2005.

There are no other disclosures required in respect of Sir John Banham pursuant
to Rule 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Miles said: "I am very pleased that the
board of Johnson Matthey has chosen Sir John Banham as my successor as Chairman.
Sir John has had a most distinguished career and is a very experienced
chairman who will ensure that the company continues its successful record of
delivering value to shareholders."

Neil Carson, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey commented: "I am delighted to
welcome Sir John Banham as the future Chairman of Johnson Matthey.  I would also
like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Miles for his contribution to the
success of the company over many years.  Michael joined the board as a
non-executive director in 1990 and became our Chairman in 1998.  Under his
leadership Johnson Matthey has developed into a world leading speciality
chemicals company."



Enquiries:
Ian Godwin           Director, IR and Corporate Communications     020 7269 8410
Howard Lee           The HeadLand Consultancy                      020 7036 0369


www.matthey.com




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