Directorate Change

Wolseley PLC
26 September 2005

NEWS RELEASE
26 September 2005

Board Changes

        Wolseley plc announces Chip Hornsby as successor to Charlie Banks
                            as Group Chief Executive

Wolseley, the world's largest specialist distributor of plumbing and heating 
products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building 
materials, is pleased to announce that Mr Claude (Chip) A.S. Hornsby, currently 
Chief Executive of Wolseley North America and a director of the Company, is to 
be appointed Group Chief Executive with effect from 1 August 2006 following Mr 
Charles A. Banks' retirement on 31 July 2006.

Chip Hornsby (49), since joining Ferguson Enterprises as a graduate trainee 27 
years ago, has had a number of increasingly challenging appointments, with the 
past four years as President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Chip has 
recently taken on the role of Chief Executive of Wolseley North America where 
he is responsible for Wolseley's three North American businesses, namely 
Ferguson Enterprises, Stock Building Supply and Wolseley Canada.

The Board will announce a successor to Chip in his North American role 
consequent upon his appointment as Group Chief Executive in due course.

Commenting on the prospective appointment, John Whybrow, Chairman, said, 'I 
wish to extend the Board's thanks to Charlie Banks for his outstanding 
contribution to the Group in several key roles over the past 39 years and 
particularly for leading the Group through an extensive period of growth and 
change since 2001. During this time, Group sales have grown from £7.2 billion 
to £11.2 billion, trading profit from £414.2m to £720.8m and the share price 
increased by 250% from 468 pence to 1,174 pence. The Board wishes Charlie a 
long, happy and well deserved retirement.

I am delighted that following an extensive and rigorous process, the Board has 
chosen Chip Hornsby to lead Wolseley in the future. Chip has made a significant
contribution to the Wolseley Group since he was appointed to the Board in 2001 
and I believe that he will provide us with the continuity the Company requires 
over the next phase of its development. In his role at Ferguson he has grown 
the business from a $3.4 billion business into the $7.1 billion enterprise it is 
today, increasing profits by 187%. I have no doubt he will bring the vision, 
commercial judgement and clear leadership necessary to the Group Chief Executive 
role. I wish him every success and look forward to working with him in the 
future.'

Commenting on his appointment Chip Hornsby said, 'I am delighted to be given the 
responsibility of leading the Wolseley Group and to build on the legacy that 
Charlie Banks will leave behind. Wolseley has shown an impressive record of 
growth over many years, through both organic expansion and acquisitions. I am 
confident that we will continue to build on that strong base to sustain and 
expand the Group's development in existing and new international markets.'

The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr Andrew Duff, who joined the 
Board as a non-executive director and became a member of the Remuneration 
Committee in July 2004, will succeed Mr Robert Walker as Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 November 2005.  Mr Walker will remain 
a member of the Remuneration Committee.


ENQUIRIES:

Investors/Analysts:

Guy Stainer                             0118 929 8744
Head of Investor Relations              07739 778 187

Press:

Penny Studholme                         0118 929 8886
Director of Corporate Communications


Notes to Editors

Wolseley plc is the world's largest specialist distributor of plumbing and
heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building
materials in North America, the UK and Continental Europe. Group sales for the
year ended 31 July 2005 were approximately £11.3 billion and operating profit,
before goodwill, was £721 million. Wolseley has around 60,000 employees
operating in 13 countries namely: UK, USA, France, Canada, Ireland, Italy, The
Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg and
Denmark. Wolseley is listed on the London and New York Stock Exchanges (LSE:
WOS.L, NYSE: WOS) and is in the FTSE 100 index of listed companies.


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