Directorate Change

Reed Elsevier PLC
31 March 2005




                                  NEWS RELEASE

           Issued on behalf of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV

                                                                   31 March 2005

Reed Elsevier Announces Appointment of Strauss Zelnick as Non-Executive Director

Reed Elsevier announced today the appointment of Mr Strauss Zelnick to the
Boards of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV as a non-executive director,
subject to shareholder approval at the respective Annual General Meetings on 27
and 28 April. He will also be appointed a non-executive director of Reed
Elsevier Group plc.

Mr Zelnick, aged 47, founder of the New York based ZelnickMedia Corporation, has
wide-ranging experience in the media business, including music, entertainment
software, film and television. Prior to forming ZelnickMedia, Mr Zelnick was CEO
of BMG Entertainment (Bertelsmann Music Group), CEO of Crystal Dynamics, and
President and COO of 20th Century Fox. ZelnickMedia owns interests in an array
of media and direct marketing enterprises. Mr Zelnick has an MBA and law degree
from Harvard University.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Morris Tabaksblat, Chairman of Reed Elsevier,
said :
'With his extensive knowledge of the media industry, Strauss will bring an
unparalleled breadth of experience, particularly from a US perspective. We are
delighted to welcome Strauss to Reed Elsevier at our AGMs next month.'

Mr Zelnick serves on the board of Carver Bancorp Inc. There are no further
matters to be disclosed in accordance with paragraph 16.4 of the Listing Rules
of the UK Listing Authority.

                                    - Ends -

Notes to Editors

Reed Elsevier Group plc is a world leading publisher and information provider.
It is owned equally by its two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed
Elsevier NV.  The parent companies are listed on the London, Amsterdam and New
York Stock Exchanges, under the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam
: REN; New York: RUK and ENL.  In 2004, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit
before taxation of £1,027 million/€1,510 million on turnover of £4,812 million/
€7,074 million.  The group employs 35,600 people, including approximately 22,000
in North America. Operating in the scientific, legal, educational and
business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high value and flexible
information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on
internet delivery.

For further information please contact
Patrick Kerr: [phone]




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