Directorate Change

RNS Number:8246R
Pochin's PLC
07 November 2003


Pochin's PLC ("the Company")

Statement by the Chairman to shareholders at the Company's AGM held today,
Friday, 7th November 2003.


In my recent statement on the results for the year to 31st May 2003, I referred
to the implementation of the first stage of the succession plan for the group
Board in appointing Richard Buck and James Nicholson. I am now able to announce
the changes that will mark the next stage in this process. These changes will
take effect on 7th April 2004 and have now been recommended by the Nominations
Committee ("the Committee") and approved by the Board.


I have informed the Board that it is my intention to stand down as Chairman in
April next year, and I am personally pleased to tell you that John Woodcock will
relinquish his role as Chief Executive and become Chairman from that point.


The Committee were particularly sensitive to the recent Higgs review of the role
of non-executive directors, which has a clear recommendation that chief
executives should not go on to be chairman in the same company. They concluded
that, in our current circumstances of a changing Board and, particularly, as a
small company, the move is needed to ensure continuity and stability.


In view of these sensitivities, the Board has agreed that Peter Dickson, our
latest independent non-executive director, should assume the role of Deputy
Chairman. As such he will be recognised as the senior independent non-executive
director and will become Chairman of the Board's Remuneration and Nominations
Committees.



William Underwood will continue as an independent non-executive director and as
Chairman of the Audit Committee.


In respect of my own position, I will stay on for a further 12 months in a part
time, executive capacity and I have offered to help John in any way that he sees
fit during that period. It is then my intention to fully retire from the Company
in April 2005 to pursue my sailing ambitions.


Following on from these changes, I am pleased to tell you that David Shaw will
be appointed to fill the role of Chief Executive. David will continue as Finance
Director for the present, with increased support from Douglas Thomas, who, as
group financial controller, has been with us for over 9 years. It is our
intention to further strengthen the finance team in the coming months.


Last, but not least, I am pleased to announce that Andrew Waugh will be
appointed as Company Secretary from next April. Andrew joined us two and a half
years ago as Assistant Company Secretary and is a qualified solicitor. He
already acts as Company Secretary for all the group's subsidiary companies and
for most of our joint venture companies.



Nicholas J Pochin

Chairman

7th November 2003







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