The Board of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc announced the appointment of Julia Le Blan and Paula Hay-Plumb as non-executive independent Directors of the company with effect from 29 January 2014. Julia is a chartered accountant and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. She was formerly a tax partner at Deloitte and expert on the taxation of investment trust companies.

Paula is currently Senior Independent Director of the National Audit Office and a Non-Executive Board Member of Hyde Housing Association. She is also Finance Director of Rosling King LLP. Walter Nimmo, who has been a non-executive independent Director since July 2004, will retire as a Director of the company at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 27 February 2014.