Update from the CEO

23 March 2020

JAMES HALSTEAD PLC

Update from Mark Halstead CEO

With the status of COVID-19 evolving rapidly, it provides a highly dynamic and challenging scenario for our business to operate within. Our priority is ensuring the safety of our employees, customers, partners and suppliers.

To assist with this, we have put in place appropriate measures to ensure social distancing in the workplace, homeworking where appropriate and effective use of technology to assist in the operational activities of our businesses. We continue to follow the guidance from international and local health authorities around the world in the territories that we operate within.

At this point in time we must make it clear that our businesses are operating as usual and able to meet the needs of our customers. The distribution businesses are well stocked, our factories are operational, our supply chains are robust and with the exception of localised issues we can meet current business requirements. Communication channels across our businesses remain open.

These are exceptional times and as the situation evolves, I will continue to inform where there are material changes to the above. Our business relationships are important to us, should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our employees who are working hard to ensure we can fulfil our commitments and wish all our partners, employees, customers and suppliers good health in these uncertain times.

The Group's interim results to 31^st December 2019 will be issued on 31^st March 2020.