ASCENDIS HEALTH LIMITED - Appointment of new Chief Executive Officer

Appointment of new Chief Executive Officer

Ascendis Health Limited
(Registration number 2008/005856/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Share code: ASC
ISIN: ZAE000185005
(“Ascendis” or “the Company”)

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The board of Ascendis is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Thomsen
as chief executive officer (“CEO”) and as an executive director with effect from
1 March 2018.

Thomas (48) will succeed Dr Karsten Wellner (57) who has been the CEO since the
founding of the group in 2011. Karsten will work with Thomas over the next four
months to ensure a smooth transition. Karsten will stand down as CEO on
1 March 2018 and as a board director on 30 June 2018.

Ascendis chairman John Bester said: “The board believes it is the right time to hand
over to new leadership, with extensive operational and management experience in
the global consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical markets, to drive the future
strategy of the group.”

“Thomas’ promotion to CEO is part of a phased succession plan initiated when he
was recruited as chief operating officer in August 2017. He has a proven track record
in senior executive positions in major global consumer healthcare companies such
as Novartis and Reckitt Benckiser, and as a non-executive director of listed and
private equity companies.”

“The board is confident that Thomas has the skills, expertise and experience to lead
the next phase in the evolution of Ascendis, with a focus on strategic development,
leadership, accelerating organic growth, cash generation and overall profitability. In
his short time in the group Thomas has initiated improvements in our European
businesses through synergy projects, a focus on leadership, commenced a recovery
plan for Scitec and initiated a strategic review of the group.”

The board thanks Karsten for delivering the solid results for the six months to
December 2017, as reflected in the trading statement released on SENS on
31 January 2018, and thanks him for his significant contribution.

John Bester added: “Karsten has made an outstanding contribution to the group,
driving and overseeing the growth of Ascendis into a leading multinational health and
care company with annualised revenues of approximately R8 billion, exports to over
120 countries and more than 4 000 employees. We thank Karsten for his inspiring
leadership of the group.”

Background information on Thomas Thomsen

Thomas has held senior positions at Johnson & Johnson Consumer (MD of Central
and Eastern Europe, Turkey and Nordic region), Reckitt Benckiser (Senior Vice
President Global Consumer Healthcare) and Novartis Consumer Healthcare (Head
of Global Category).

Thomas also has extensive experience as a non-executive director for private equity
and listed companies (including Cederroth, Ferrosan, Moberg Pharma and The
North Alliance) mainly within consumer healthcare, the pharmaceutical sector and a
leading digital agency. Prior to joining Ascendis Thomas advised senior
management at some of the leading pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare
companies. He holds degrees in business management and anthropology and has
completed various MBA executive programmes at well-known international business
schools.

Thomas is a Danish national and has lived in more than 10 countries. He is based in
London and will divide his time between the operations in Europe and South Africa.

27 February 2018
Johannesburg

Sponsor
Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited

Enquiries
Tier 1 Investor Relations
Tel: +27 (21) 702 3102
E-mail: ir@tier1ir.co.za

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