New Board Director Appointed

DUBLIN, March 15, 2010 - Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty
biopharmaceutical company, announces the appointment of Bill Burns to its
Board as a Non Executive Director with immediate effect. Mr Burns has also
been appointed a member of Shire's Remuneration Committee.

Mr Burns has a long and distinguished career in the global
pharmaceuticals industry, having worked for many years for Roche; most
recently as CEO of their Pharmaceuticals Division and as a member of the
Roche Group Corporate Executive Committee. He has extensive experience of
international pharmaceuticals and of mergers and acquisitions. Among his many
achievements during his time with Roche, he had significant involvement in
the acquisition and privatisation of Genentech, he led the integration of
Boehringer Mannheim Therapeutics and he played a lead role in the
negotiations resulting in Roche becoming a majority owner of Chugai in Japan.

Mr Burns retired from Roche in January this year. He was appointed on 2
March 2010 to be a member of the Board of Directors of Roche Holdings Ltd. Mr
Burns is also on the Board of Directors of Chugai Pharmaceuticals and of
Genentech Inc.

Says Matthew Emmens, Shire Chairman:

"Bill Burns' global pharmaceutical experience will be invaluable to
Shire. Shire is growing its business through extending its global reach with
established operations now in 28 countries and a range of exciting
growth-driving products with rights around the world."

Says Bill Burns:

"I'm attracted by the approach Shire takes to address specific medical
needs, and the Company's track record of success and I look forward to making
a contribution to this ambitious and exciting player in the global
pharmaceutical industry."

There is no further information that is required to be disclosed under
9.6.13R of the United Kingdom listing rules.

Notes to editors

SHIRE PLC

Shire's strategic goal is to become the leading specialty
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist
physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT) and gastrointestinal (GI)
diseases as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas to the extent
they arise through acquisitions. Shire's in-licensing, merger and acquisition
efforts are focused on products in specialist markets with strong
intellectual property protection and global rights. Shire believes that a
carefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategically
aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's
website: www.shire.com.

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements included herein that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number
of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the
event such risks or uncertainties materialize, the Company's results could be
materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research,
development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing and commercialization of
the Company's Specialty Pharmaceutical and Human Genetic Therapies products,
as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products for
commercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company's
products; the Company's ability to manufacture its products in sufficient
quantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on the
Company's products; the Company's ability to register, maintain and enforce
patents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; the
Company's ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-party
reimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

For further information please contact: Investor Relations: Cléa Rosenfeld (Rest of the World), +44-1256-894-160. Eric Rojas (North America), +1-617-551-9715. Media: Jessica Mann (Rest of the World), +44-1256-894-280; Matthew Cabrey (North America, Specialty Pharma), +1-484-595-8248; Jessica Cotrone (North America, HGT), +1-781-482-9538.