Chairman Succession Announcement

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (LSE: BMY), the leading independent publisher, announces that after seven years Sir Richard Lambert has given notice of his intention to retire as Chairman and step down as Director of the company with effect from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 16 July 2024. John Bason, current Independent Non-Executive Director, will succeed Richard as Chairman, subject to re-election as a director.

John Bason joined the Bloomsbury Board on 1 April 2022 and became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 20 July 2022. He is a Chartered Accountant and brings a wealth of experience from his 40-year career in finance and international business. He was Finance Director at Associated British Foods plc from May 1999 until 28 April 2023. He was also formerly Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director at Compass Group PLC and a Trustee of Voluntary Service Overseas. He is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at SSE plc, Chairman of the Primark Strategic Advisory Board and Chairman of the UK's leading food redistribution charity FareShare.

Sir Richard Lambert commented: "After seven exciting years, this is a good moment for change. I am very happy that the Board has proposed our colleague John Bason to succeed me as Chairman. John is someone with an immense experience of business, which he combines with the essential Bloomsbury qualities of independence, integrity and ambition. I shall very much enjoy watching the company's continued progress under his leadership in the years ahead."

Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury, commented: "Sir Richard Lambert has been an exceptional Chairman over the last seven years. We are immensely grateful for his insight, sage and generous counsel and support, which have helped Bloomsbury achieve so much during his tenure. Richard will be succeeded by John Bason, subject to shareholder approval. John joined the Board two years ago and brings a depth of financial and business knowledge to help Bloomsbury reach its ambitious goals."

John Bason, Non-Executive Director and incoming Chairman of Bloomsbury, commented:

"The strong development of Bloomsbury over the last seven years owes so much to the stewardship of, and support from, Sir Richard Lambert as Chairman. I am honoured to be asked to take over as Chairman of this vibrant and entrepreneurial publisher and will endeavour to continue that support as Bloomsbury looks ahead to achieve its ambitions for further growth."

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Group to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.