Rowan Elects Burke as CEO

As previously announced, Rowan Companies plc ("Rowan" or the "Company")

confirmed today that on April 25, 2014, Dr. Thomas P. Burke was elected as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, Mr. H.E. Lentz retired as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. W. Matt Ralls was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Board and Sir Graham Hearne was appointed as the new Lead Director of the Board. Dr. Thomas P. Burke, Rowan Companies President & Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ralls commented, "The Company could not be in better hands with Tom as Chief Executive Officer. He has proven his leadership skills, first as CEO of our manufacturing subsidiary and more recently as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Tom's keen business sense, in-depth knowledge of our company and industry, and clear vision for the future will serve the Company well in the years to come. I look forward to watching Rowan flourish under Tom's strong leadership." Dr. Burke, age 46, most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He became Chief Operating Officer in July 2011 and was promoted to President in March 2013. Dr. Burke initially joined the Company in December 2009 to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. and served in such capacity until the sale of LeTourneau in June 2011. Prior to such time, he was employed by Complete Production Services, an oilfield services company, as a Division President from 2006 to 2009, and as Vice President Corporate Development from 2004 to 2006. Before joining Complete, Dr. Burke held various positions at Schlumberger and McKinsey & Company. He holds a DPhil (PhD) in Engineering Science from Trinity College, Oxford and an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School.