Directorate Change

Wolseley PLC
25 January 2005

                                  Wolseley plc
                                  Board changes


Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professional
contractors, announces that Mr Gerard Legtmann left the Company on 24 January
2005 to pursue alternative opportunities. Mr Legtmann was appointed as Chief
Executive Officer for Europe in August 2003 and has overseen the creation of the
infrastructure for an integrated Wolseley European business.


At the same time Mr Robert Marchbank has been appointed to succeed Mr Legtmann
as Chief Executive Officer for Europe and as a director of the Company. He is
currently the Director of Information and Processes for the Wolseley Group.


Robert Marchbank, aged 44, is an American citizen. He joined Ferguson,
Wolseley's US plumbing and heating business, in 1982. During his period with
Ferguson he undertook a number of strategic and operational roles. In 2001 he
moved to the UK to join the newly created Wolseley Group headquarters as
Director of Strategic Planning. In this role and in his current position, he has
played a key part in developing and implementing the Group's strategy and IT
platform.


Charlie Banks, Chief Executive Officer of Wolseley said 'I am delighted with Rob
Marchbank's appointment. Rob has made a significant impact on Ferguson's and the
Group's success over the past 20 years and I am sure he will bring all of that
experience to bear in his new role.'


John Whybrow, Chairman of Wolseley said 'I am delighted that we are able to make
this senior appointment from within the organisation and Rob will bring a number
of additional skills to the Wolseley Board. I would like to thank Gerard for his
contribution and we wish him well in the future.'


There are no matters relating to Mr Marchbank which would require disclosure
under paragraph 6.F.2(b) to (g) of the Listing Rules.






Further information:


Wolseley plc                                       0118 929 8700
Guy Stainer
Head of Investor Relations

Mark White
Group Company Secretary & Counsel


Brunswick

Andrew Fenwick                                   020 7404 5959


Notes to Editors


Wolseley plc is the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professional
contractors in North America, the UK and Continental Europe. Group sales for the
year ended 31 July 2004 were approximately £10.1 billion and operating profit,
before goodwill, was £619 million. Wolseley has around 51,500 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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