Gallaher Group Plc Announces Formation of a Management Committee

Business Wire, Sept 14, 1999

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999 --

Nigel Northridge, Chief Executive designate of Gallaher Group Plc (NYSE: GLH), the leading tobacco company for the UK market, announced today that he is forming a Management Committee to run day-to-day operations with effect from January 1, 2000.

In addition to the executive directors, the members of this committee will be:

-- Ian Birks, Head of Corporate Affairs -- Nigel Bulpitt, Company Secretary -- Nigel Dunlop, Head of Manufacturing -- Claire Jenkins, Head of Investor Relations -- Barry Jenner, Managing Director - UK Division -- Eddy Pirard, Head of Business Development -- Mark Rolfe, Financial Controller (Finance Director designate) -- Yann Tardif, Managing Director - Continental Europe Division

Nigel Northridge said: "I feel privileged and excited by the opportunity to lead Gallaher. We are highly competitive and effective in our markets - as reflected in our recent results - but we must never stand still.

"I am forming a Management Committee to run the day-to-day business of the Company. This will build on the existing strengths of Gallaher and help drive the business forward."

NOTES TO EDITORS

-- Ian Birks (aged 44) joined Gallaher in 1986 with a background in

journalism and communication posts (Courtaulds and United

Biscuits). He has held various issues management positions within

Gallaher and was appointed Head of Corporate Affairs in 1994.

-- Nigel Bulpitt, FCA, (aged 52) joined Gallaher as Head of Group

Finance in 1985 following a career in finance and planning. He

was appointed Head of Strategic Planning in 1988 and a Director

of Gallaher Limited in 1991. Mr. Bulpitt was appointed Company

Secretary of Gallaher Group Plc in 1997.

-- Nigel Dunlop (aged 42) joined Gallaher as a management trainee in

1980. Following time spent in production, sales, marketing and

distribution, he held a series of production and factory

management posts (from 1982 to 1991) before being appointed Head

of Cigar Division in 1991. Mr. Dunlop was appointed Head of

Manufacturing in 1997.

-- Claire Jenkins (aged 36) joined Gallaher in 1997, following a

career in stockbroking and investor relations consultancy. She

was appointed to instigate and develop the Group's investor

relations' function on Gallaher's demerger from Fortune Brands,

Inc.

-- Barry Jenner (aged 41) joined Gallaher as a management trainee in

1979. He held a series of sales, marketing and planning posts,

assuming responsibility for Benson and Hedges in 1988. Mr. Jenner

was appointed UK Head of Marketing in 1994, and will become

Managing Director - UK Division on January 1, 2000.

-- Eddy Pirard (aged 37) joined Gallaher in January 1998, following

a career in management consultancy (McKinsey & Co.). Mr. Pirard

was initially appointed within Gallaher International, and in

1999 he was appointed Head of Business Development.

-- Mark Rolfe, FCA, (aged 40) qualified with Coopers & Lybrand in

1984. He joined Gallaher in 1986, and has held a series of

accounting positions and directorships of a number of Group

subsidiaries. Mr. Rolfe was appointed Financial Controller in

1996. He will succeed Philip Burchell as Finance Director on July

1, 2000.

-- Yann Tardif (aged 38) joined Gallaher in January 1999, following

a career in marketing and sales (Pepsi-Cola, Timberland and

Philip Morris) in France, Switzerland and the UK. On joining the

Group, Mr. Tardif was appointed Head of Sales & Marketing -

Gallaher International. He will become Managing Director -

Continental Europe Division on January 1, 2000.