Directorate Change

Marks & Spencer Group PLC
17 May 2005


17 May 2005

                     MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN

Marks and Spencer Group plc is pleased to announce that Lord Burns will be
joining the Board as Deputy Chairman with effect from 1 October 2005 and will
become Chairman from the AGM, in July 2006. Marks & Spencer Chairman, Paul
Myners will step aside from the Board at the AGM in 2006, as he will no longer
be considered independent as a director under The Combined Code.

Paul Myners said: 'I am delighted that Terry Burns will be joining the Board and
that he will succeed me as Chairman of the Company. I look forward to working
with him.'

Terry Burns said: 'Marks & Spencer is a Company with a great brand and a strong
heritage. I am very pleased to be joining the Board at this important time.'

Terry Burns is Chairman of Abbey National and Glas Cymru (Welsh Water), and is a
non-executive director of Banco Santander Central Hispano, Pearson Group and
British Land.
                                      ENDS

For further information:

Press Office 020 8718 1919

Investor Relations 020 8718 3604






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