1. The attached slides were used at the Analyst Presentation by John Hirst and Andrew Fisher on the 12th September 2002. The slides could be incomplete without the oral commentary.

2. Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of Premier Farnell plc and its consolidated subsidiaries as a group (the "Group") and certain of the Group's plans and objectives, including, but not limited to, future capital expenditures, future ordinary expenditures and future actions to be taken by the Group in connection with such capital and ordinary expenditures, the introduction of new information technology and e-commerce platforms, the expected benefits and future actions to be taken by the Group in respect of certain sales and marketing initiatives, operating efficiencies, economies of scale and the expected benefits to be realised from the acquisition of Buck & Hickman Limited. By their nature forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Actual expenditures made and actions taken may differ materially from the Group's expectations contained in the forward- looking statements as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Group. These factors include, but are not limited to, the implementation of cost-saving initiatives to offset current market conditions, integration of new personnel and new information systems, continued use and acceptance of e-commerce programs and systems and the impact on other distribution systems, the ability to open new facilities to increase service levels and reduce costs, the ability to expand into new markets and territories, the implementation of new sales and marketing initiatives, the integration of Buck & Hickman Limited into the Group, changes in demand for electronic, electrical, electromagnetic and industrial products, rapid changes in distribution of products and customer expectations, the ability to introduce and customers' acceptance of new services, products and product lines, product availability, the impact of competitive pricing, fluctuations in foreign currencies, and changes in interest rates and overall market conditions, particularly the impact of changes in world-wide and national economies.

3. Second quarter and half year results For the period ended 4th August 2002

4. Agenda Andrew Fisher  Half year financial results John Hirst  Strategic progress  Performance highlights

5. Over the last 18 months we have seen Unprecedented electronics market decline Global economic recession We responded positively and professionally Robust defence of margins Tight control of costs and working capital Dedicated support of customer service Commitment to our strategic development The benefits have been Resilient financial performance Better than market sales - especially in focus areas A continually improving business

6. During the 1st Half Market flat overall Continued resilient financial performance Business initiatives showing good progress Plus Significant improvement in capital structure  EPS enhanced and strategic options created

7. Group Finance Director Andrew Fisher

8. Financial Summary 26 weeks ended 4th August 2002 Sales £392.6m - up 1.0% Operating profit £41.9m - operating margin 10.7% (before goodwill amortisation) No visible improvement in major markets Tight cost and working capital controls Cash flow, financial gearing, EPS and dividend cover benefits from preference share conversion Net debt reduced to £213.7m - interest cover 5.4 times

9. Financial Summary * Year on year sales per day growth at constant exchange rates

10. Financial Summary Group Note : Gross margin is measured after net cost of freight, packaging, discounts and inventory adjustments * Continuing businesses at constant exchange rates

11. Financial Summary Group Note : Gross margin is measured after net cost of freight, packaging, discounts and inventory adjustments * Continuing businesses at constant exchange rates Overall first half sales performance flat

12. Financial Summary Group Note : Gross margin is measured after net cost of freight, packaging, discounts and inventory adjustments * Continuing businesses at constant exchange rates Operating margin maintained : robust gross margins and tight cost management

13. 2000/12001/21999/0 $m MDD North America Sales Per Day 2002/3

14. 2000/12001/21999/0 $m MDD North America Sales Per Day 2002/3

15. 2000/12001/2 1999/0 $m MDD North America SPD and growth rates 2002/3

16. 2000/12001/21999/0 £k MDD Europe & Asia Pacific SPD and growth rates (excluding Buck & Hickman) 2002/3 -20% 0% 20%

17. 2000/12001/21999/0 £k MDD UK SPD and growth rates (excluding Buck & Hickman) 2002/3 -20% 0% 20%

18. 2000/12001/21999/0 £k MDD Buck & Hickman SPD and growth rates 2002/3 -20% 0% 20%

19. 2000/12001/21999/0 £k MDD European SPD and growth rates 2002/3 -20% 0% 20% 40%

20. 2000/12001/21999/0 £k MDD Asia Pacific and Rest of World SPD and growth rates 2002/3 -20% 0% 20% 40%

21. 2000/12001/2 £k E-commerce SPD 2002/3

22. 2000/1 2001/2 Gross margin progression 2002/3 Farnell CPC B&H Newark Note : Gross margin is measured after cost of freight, packaging, discounts and inventory adjustments All businesses robust through difficult market conditions

23. Profit and loss account Second quarter and first half to 4th August 2002

24. Exceptional item

25. Taxation

26. Summarised cash flows Second quarter and first half to 4th August 2002 £m 2002/3 Q2Q1 H1 Operating profit18.921.740.6 Depreciation & non-cash items 3.5 3.0 6.5 Working capital 1.0 1.7 2.7 Operating cash flow23.426.449.8 119% Capital expenditure (net) (3.9)(4.6) (8.5) Interest & preference dividend (15.0)(0.1) (15.1) Tax (4.3)(2.2) (6.5) Free cash flow 0.2 19.5 19.7

27. Operating cash flow : operating profit 2001/22002/3 Continued strong cash conversion

28. Debtor days 2001/22002/3 Strong performance releasing further cash

29. 2001/2 £m Inventory 2002/3 Stockturn maintained and cash released through downturn Turns

30. £m 2002/3 Front office systems 3.4 IT 3.2 Other 2.2 Total 8.8 Sale of fixed assets (0.3) Net capital expenditure 8.5 Capital expenditure

31. Summarised cash flows Second quarter and first half to 4th August 2002 £m 2002/3 Q2Q1 H1 Operating profit18.921.740.6 Depreciation & non-cash items 3.5 3.0 6.5 Working capital 1.0 1.7 2.7 Operating cash flow23.426.449.8 119% Capital expenditure (net) (3.9)(4.6) (8.5) Interest & preference dividend (15.0)(0.1) (15.1) Tax (4.3)(2.2) (6.5) Free cash flow 0.2 19.5 19.7

32. Movement in net debt £m First half Opening net debt(236.4) Free cash flow 19.7 Ordinary dividends (13.6) 6.1 Disposal of business 3.2 Capital reorganisation (9.2) Issue of ordinary shares 0.5 Cash inflow 0.6 Translation 22.1 Closing net debt (213.7) US$ Senior Notes due 2003 & 2006 (197.4) Net borrowings and other loans (16.3) (213.7)

33. John Hirst Group CEO

34. Market Conditions Short improvement in February to March not maintained However Competitive advantage through strategic investment in talent, technology and service Market share gains - especially in focus segments Continuing build of platform for long term profitable growth and Markets are large and there is plenty of scope

35. Progress - facilitating activities at Group Continued investment in management and talent Major improvement in capital structure  Conversion of 70% of preference share stock to 89m ordinary shares  Additional purchase on market of 644k Preference Shares for cancellation  Fixed charge cover improved  Significant EPS enhancement - 15%  Cash flow improved by £9m p.a.  More flexible capital structure opens strategic options

36. MDD - Americas Key accounts now 12% of total sales  5 significant additions this half  H 1 sales much better than market US Government contract showing good progress Integrated account management processes delivering Productivity and service benefits from transfer of smaller customers to call centres Now 163 stock room solutions in place

37. MDD - Americas eProcurement  23 eProcurement partnerships this year - now 115  H 1 eProcurement sales + 67% over last year  50 potential customers in discussion Mexico launched with 3rd Party warehouse Continuing service enhancement  Pulaski warehouse closed Working capital improvement

38. MDD - Europe & Asia Pacific Key accounts  UK - 21 contracts signed including 12 new customers  Farnell and Buck & Hickman working together Key segments  Education - share and sales improvements  Health and safety  Service enhancements for Design engineers etc Productivity and service benefits from technology investment Now 169 stock room solutions in place

39. MDD - Europe & Asia Pacific eCommerce  Websites rolled out to 10 new countries  Web sales up 87% YoY  Continuous enhancement of functionality eProcurement  79 live partnerships (39 added this year)  54 in discussion  Key influence in major account wins

40. MDD - Europe & Asia Pacific Geographic expansion  China offices and stock  Sales representation in Eastern Europe Continuing service enhancement  Liege operational

41. Progress this year - Industrial Products Division Disposal completed - D-A Lubricant Akron  Productivity, service and margin up TPC  Automotive & Steel industry  New product sales  Excellent operating margins Kent  Sales force methods improved  Product range increased

42. Summary Resilient performance in difficult markets Market share gains Significant progress on key initiatives Major improvement in capital structure with EPS and cash improvements Gross margins maintained Costs and working capital under tight control Strong operating cash flow conversion

43. Outlook Continue to manage tightly on basis of no improvement in market No discernable change in major market conditions Larger customer wins and market share gains Well positioned with particular sales potential as markets turn