Holding(s) in Company

TR-1(i): NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached (ii):

DS Smith Plc

2. Reason for the notification:

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: ( )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( )

Other (please specify): ( )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation (iii):

Ignis Investment Services Limited

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.)

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different) (v):

17 January 2012

6. Date on which issuer notified:

18 January 2012

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

3%

8. Notified details:

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Class/type of shares if possible using the ISIN CODE

Situation previous to the Triggering transaction (vi)

Number of shares

Number of voting Rights (viii)

Ordinary

GB0008220112

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction (vii)

Class/type of shares if possible using the ISIN CODE

Number of shares

Number of voting rights (ix)

% of voting rights

Direct

Direct (x)

Indirect (xi)

Direct


13,272,456

3.04%



B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction (xii)

Type of financial instrument

Expiration Date (xiii)

Exercise/Conversion Period/ Date (xiv)

Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted

% of voting rights

C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction (xii)

Type of financial instrument

Exercise price

Expiration Date (xiii)

Exercise/Conversion Period/ Date (xiv)

Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted

% of voting rights

Total (A+B+C)

Number of voting rights

% of voting rights

13,272,456

3.04%

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable (xv):

Vidacos Nominees Ltd (12,146,683 - 2.78%)

BNY (OCS) Nominees Ltd (1,125,733 - 0.26%)

Phoenix Group Holdings

Impala Holdings Limited

Ignis Asset Management Ltd

Ignis Investment Services Ltd (indirect)

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

13. Additional information:

Percentage calculation based on Issued Share Capital of 436,224,500

14. Contact name:
Jean Birrell

15. Contact telephone number:
0141 222 8226

Identity of the notifier, if applicable (xvii)

Full name:

Matthew Jowett

Contact address:

DS Smith Plc, Beech House, Whitebrook Park, Maidenhead SL6 8XY

Phone number:

01628 583400