Downing Protected VCT VII plc 13 August 2007 Board Change The board of Downing Protected VCT VII plc is pleased to announce that Christopher McCann has joined the board as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Christopher is a Chartered Accountant with extensive banking, corporate finance and unquoted investment management experience. He spent fifteen years at Bridgepoint Capital (formerly the private equity arm of CountyNatWest) including several years as Vice Chairman. He is currently a non-executive director of Brighttalk Limited, a privately-owned webcasting and online conferencing business. He was formerly chairman of Numerica Group plc, before its acquisition by Vantis plc in 2005. Christopher has also today joined the Board of Downing Protected VCT VI plc as a non-executive director. Other than as disclosed above, there are no disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13 in respect of Christopher's appointment. ---END OF MESSAGE---