Wolseley plc Board Change Appointment of Frank Roach as Chief Executive North America

Cincinnati, OH — 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. Frank Roach has been appointed as a director of the company.

Roach will be responsible for the Group's North American operations effective immediately, succeeding Chip Hornsby, who will succeed Charlie Banks as chief executive officer effective August 1, 2006.

Frank Roach, 54, is an American citizen. He joined Ferguson, Wolseley's U.S. plumbing and heating business, in 1976. During his time with Ferguson, he undertook a number of operational roles, including branch manager in Richmond, VA, and vice president of the U.S. mid-Atlantic region.

In 2005, he was appointed senior vice president of the recently created Wolseley North America Management team with responsibility for North American business groups. In this role, he has played a key part in further developing and expanding the Group's North American businesses, including plumbing, waterworks and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

Charlie Banks, chief executive officer of Wolseley, said, “I am delighted with Frank's appointment. Frank has made a significant impact on Ferguson's and, more recently, the Group's success in North America over the past 30 years, and I am sure he will bring all of that experience to bear in his new role.”