Director/PDMR Shareholding

Reed Elsevier PLC
11 August 2005



11 August 2005



                     ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC

                                                    
                             DIRECTOR SHAREHOLDING



We have received notification today that an option over Reed Elsevier PLC
ordinary shares has been exercised by Sir Crispin Davis, a director of the
Company, under the Reed Elsevier Group plc 'Save-As-You-Earn' Share Option
Scheme, following the option reaching its 5-year maturity:-


Details of the exercise are:


Date of Grant       Date of Exercise         No. of shares over which   Option price 
                                             an option has been         paid per share
                                             exercised

14.04.00            11 August 2005           5,019                      336.20p


All of the shares acquired following the exercise were retained by Sir Crispin.
As a result of the transaction, Sir Crispin Davis now holds an interest in
528,847 Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares and 298,261 Reed Elsevier NV ordinary
shares.



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