Maybe something like this:

    
    Dim strShapes(0 To 4) As String    
    strShapes(0) = "Rectangle 15" ' Header box
    strShapes(1) = "Group 40"
    strShapes(2) = "Group 41"
    strShapes(3) = "Group 42"
    strShapes(4) = "Group 43"
    
    Set shpRng = ppSl.Shapes.Range(strShapes)
    shpRng.Distribute msoDistributeVertically, msoTrue
Hope this helps