Benchmark : DIRECTOR SHARE OPTIONS

28 January 2019

BENCHMARK HOLDINGS PLC
('Benchmark' or the 'Company')

DIRECTOR SHARE OPTIONS

Benchmark Holdings plc announces that on 25 January 2019, and in accordance with the intention disclosed in its Annual Report and Accounts published on 24 January 2019, options over Ordinary Shares of 0.1 pence each ('Ordinary Shares') were granted to Malcolm Pye, Chief Executive Officer; Mark Plampin, Chief Financial Officer; and Alex Raeber, Chief Scientific Officer under the Company Share Option Plan (CSOP).

Options over a total of 555,100 Ordinary Shares were granted to Malcolm Pye; options over a total of 447,600 Ordinary Shares were granted to Mark Plampin; and options over a total of 400,000 Ordinary Shares were granted to Alex Raeber. Following this grant, Malcolm Pye remains interested in 15,145,686 Ordinary Shares and holds options over a total of 1,055,100 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 2.90% and 0.19% of Benchmark's existing issued share capital respectively. Mark Plampin remains interested in 536,686 Ordinary Shares and holds options over a total of 972,185 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 0.10% and 0.17% of Benchmark's existing issued share capital respectively. Alex Raeber remains interested in 100,000 Ordinary Shares and holds options over a total of 400,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 0.02% and 0.07% of Benchmark's existing issued share capital respectively.

The options granted have a vesting period of three years, may be exercised up to the tenth anniversary of grant, have an exercise price of 58.5 pence per Ordinary Share, and are not subject to performance criteria.

Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities:

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Malcolm Pye
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Executive Director
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Benchmark Holdings plc
b)	LEI	n/a
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code	0.1p ordinary shares ISIN: GB00BGHPT808
b)	Nature of the transaction	Issue of share options under Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)	Exercise price Volume(s) 58.5 pence 555,100
d)	Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price	Volume: 555,100 Price: Nil
e)	Date of the transaction	25 January 2019
f)	Place of the transaction	AIM Market, London Stock Exchange

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Mark Plampin
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Executive Director
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Benchmark Holdings plc
b)	LEI	n/a
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code	0.1p ordinary shares ISIN: GB00BGHPT808
b)	Nature of the transaction	Issue of share options under Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)	Exercise price Volume(s) 58.5 pence 447,600
d)	Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price	Volume: 447,600 Price: Nil
e)	Date of the transaction	25 January 2019
f)	Place of the transaction	AIM Market, London Stock Exchange

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Alex Raeber
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Executive Director
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Benchmark Holdings plc
b)	LEI	n/a
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code	0.1p ordinary shares ISIN: GB00BGHPT808
b)	Nature of the transaction	Issue of share options under Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)	Exercise price Volume(s) 58.5 pence 400,000
d)	Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price	Volume: 400,000 Price: Nil
e)	Date of the transaction	25 January 2019
f)	Place of the transaction	AIM Market, London Stock Exchange

Enquiries

Benchmark Holdings plc	Tel: [phone]
Malcolm Pye, CEO
Ivonne Cantu, Investor Relations Director
Rachel Aninakwah, Communications
Numis	Tel: [phone]
Michael Meade / Freddie Barnfield (NOMAD)
James Black (Corporate Broking)
MHP
Katie Hunt / Reg Hoare /Alistair de Kare-Silver	Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

Notes to Editors:

Benchmark's mission is to drive sustainability in food production.

We are a leading provider of aquaculture solutions in genetics, health and specialist nutrition. Our focus is on developing innovative products that help fish and shrimp producers improve their sustainability and profitability by improving yield, quality, health and welfare. Our main products are salmon eggs with superior genetic traits, specialist nutrition products for shrimp and fish, and health treatments including a sea lice treatment for salmon. We serve all the major aquaculture markets around the world and have leading market positions. Benchmark operates in 27 countries, employs 1,066 people and reported revenues of £140m in 2017.

For further information on Benchmark please visit www.benchmarkplc.com