Baroness Prashar Joins Unite

Unite Group PLC
10 January 2001



Date:               10 January 2001

Embargoed until:     0700hrs



THE BARONESS PRASHAR OF RUNNYMEDE CBE

JOINS BOARD OF UNITE



The Board of The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading specialist provider of
accommodation services for students and NHS key workers, is pleased to
announce that Baroness Usha Prashar is joining its Board as a non-executive
Director with immediate effect.

Baroness Prashar was Executive Chairman of the Parole Board for England and
Wales since October 1997 and more recently became the First Civil Service
Commissioner in August 2000.

Prior to joining the Parole Board, she was a member of the Lord Chancellor's
Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct and a member of the Arts
Council and a non-executive Director of Channel 4.

Between 1991 and 1993, Baroness Prashar was a member of the Royal Commission
on Criminal Justice; from 1986 to 1991, she was a Director of the National
Council of Voluntary Organisations; and, from 1984 to 1986, she was a Fellow
of the Policy Studies Institute.

In 1995, she was awarded the CBE for public service and community relations.
She has made significant contributions to the development of policy on race,
immigration, cultural diversity, equality of opportunity, the voluntary sector
and criminal justice. Baroness Prashar has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by
De Montfort University, South Bank University, Greenwich University, Leeds
Metropolitan University, is an Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths College,
University of London and a visiting professor at University of Exeter.

She came to the UK from Kenya in 1964 to study. She has a degree in Political
Science from the University of Leeds and a post graduate diploma in Social
Administration from the University of Glasgow. She was created a life peer in
June 1999 and sits in the House of Lords as a cross bencher.

Commenting on her appointment, Geoffrey Maddrell, Chairman of UNITE said:

'We are delighted that Usha has agreed to join the UNITE Board at this
exciting stage of the Company's development. Her unrivalled understanding of
the public sector and of cultural issues will bring invaluable experience and
expertise to our Board. We look forward to working with her to continue to
develop our tried and tested accommodation solutions for universities,
colleges and NHS Trusts across the length and breadth of the UK.'

Baroness Prashar of Runnymede CBE, commented:

'There is a real commitment in the UK to increase the number of people in
further and higher education; providing quality, safe and secure accommodation
is a key factor in the ability to meet these commitments. By the same token,
there is a very real shortage of affordable, high quality accommodation for
NHS health service staff. Partnerships between NHS Trusts and private sector
organisations such as UNITE, provide effective solutions. I look forward to
working with the Board of UNITE to continue to develop this invaluable
infrastructure and to strengthen the Company's existing relationships with the
public sector.'

The UNITE Group announces that following the appointment of Baroness Usha
Prashar, Mr Peter Griffin will be stepping down as a Non-Executive Director of
the Group.

Geoffrey Maddrell, Chairman of UNITE commented:

'I would like to take this opportunity to convey my personal thanks to Peter
for all he has contributed to establishing UNITE on a sound footing and to
wish him well on behalf of the whole Board.'



-ends -



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Notes to Editors:

  * UNITE was founded in 1991 by Nick Porter
  * UNITE is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and is currently
    capitalised at £141.8 million
  * UNITE is the UK's leading specialist provider of accommodation services
    for students and key workers.
  * Other than the companies and partnerships disclosed in this
    announcement, Baroness Prashar has held no other directorships or
    partnerships in the previous five years and there are no matters that
    require disclosure in relation to her pursuant to paragraph 6.F.2, items
    (b) to (g) of the Listing Rules.
  * Further information is available at the Company's website at
    www.unite-group.co.uk
  * www.bunk.com is a comprehensive, on-line accommodation service for
    university students launched by UNITE in September 2000.