AssociatedBrit.Foods - Re Directorate

RNS No 6219d
ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS PLC
4th December 1998
 
                         Associated British Foods plc
 
Mr. Garry H. Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Company has informed
the Board it is his wish that these two roles within the company be split
with effect from 1 June 1999 and that he wishes to relinquish, after 32
years, his position as Chief Executive of the Group.
 
Mr. Garry Weston will remain as Executive Chairman of ABF.
 
Mr. Peter Jackson will assume the position of Chief Executive with effect
from that date.  Mr. Jackson (aged 51), a director of ABF, is presently Chief
Executive of British Sugar PLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ABF Group.
 
Mr. Weston said:
 
I have now combined the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive of ABF for a
considerable period of time and believe that in recognition of the continued 
growth in the size and complexity of the company's operations, and to ensure 
strong leadership and clear direction for the future, it is the time for 
these changes in our management structure to be announced.
 
Mr. Peter Jackson is a present member of the Board of ABF.  He has had a
broad span of executive responsibilities before and since joining ABF as 
Chief Executive of British Sugar upon its acquisition. He already carries
the responsibility for other major areas of the group's operations and has 
spearheaded the company's developments in the Far East since the group's
investment commenced in those areas.
 
Press enquiries to:
G.H. Weston
0171-589 6363
 
P.J. Jackson
0171-589 6363
 
END

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