Directorate Change

RIT Capital Partners PLC
24 August 2004

24 August 2004

The Board of RIT Capital Partners plc is pleased to announce the appointment of
Michael Marks CBE as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1
September 2004.

Mr Marks, 62, is the Chairman of NewSmith Capital Partners LLP, which he founded
in 2003. He was formerly Co-Head of the Global Equities business of Merrill
Lynch, which he joined in 1995, and where he subsequently held positions as
Chief Operating Officer of Merrill Lynch Europe, Middle East and Africa and
Executive Chairman. He was also appointed as Executive Vice President of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc in 2001.

Mr Marks began his career with Smith Bros in 1958, where he became a director in
1975 and Chief Executive of Smith New Court in 1987. He then became Executive
Chairman of Smith New Court in January 1995, prior to its acquisition by Merrill
Lynch later that year.

Mr Marks is currently a non-executive director of Old Mutual plc and was until
July 2004 a non-executive director of London Stock Exchange PLC.

The Board further announces the resignation as a director of Mr Jean Pigozzi,
also with effect from 1 September 2004. Mr Pigozzi has been a director of RIT
Capital Partners plc since its launch in 1988 and the Board wishes to thank him
for his contribution in the past sixteen years.
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Additional disclosures relating to Mr Michael Marks, as required under Chapter
16 of the UKLA Listing Rules:

1. No other directorships in publicly quoted companies have been held by Mr
Marks in the previous five years.

2. There are no details requiring disclosure under paragraphs 6.F.2(b) to (g) of
the UKLA Listing Rules.

3. There are no disclosable interests in the ordinary share capital of RIT
Capital Partners plc held by Mr Marks.



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