Roy Passaway Announces Intention to Retire

Synstar PLC 8 December 1999 SYNSTAR PLC BOARD CHANGE Synstar announces that Roy Passaway, Group Finance Director of Synstar, intends to retire. Roy has been with Synstar for seven years during which time he has been a key member of the Executive Team which led the MBO and subsequent flotation in March '99. The Board of Synstar recognise the contribution Roy has made to the company over the years and wish him a fruitful retirement. The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Gleadle, 40, to the role of Group Finance Director, Synstar Plc, starting January 1st, 2000. Stephen has a strong financial background having qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He is joining Synstar from Tarmac PLC where he has worked for two years as Group Financial Controller. At Tarmac, he was involved in a number of corporate finance projects where he has managed the advisors and delivery of the various legal, accounting and regulatory inputs. Previously, he worked with NFC PLC for two years as Director of Financial Analysis and Planning, which was preceded, by eleven years at Mars Confectionery, where he began as a Financial Accountant and progressed to UK Financial Controller. His appointment is effective from January 1st, 2000. For further information: SYNSTAR PLC - (01344) 662-700 Joanne King, Investor Relations Manager Jking@synstar.com GCI FOCUS - 020 7 398-0800 Rupert Ashe / Susy Streeter / Nick Lambert pr@gcifocus.co.uk