Re: Board Changes

Unite Group PLC 25 January 2007 25 January 2007 The UNITE Group plc BOARD CHANGES The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading student hospitality company, announces three changes to its Board today: • Further to the announcement on 14 September 2006, Tony Harris today joins UNITE's Board as Chief Financial Officer. He will assume responsibility for the Finance, IT, Investment and Company Secretariat functions with immediate effect. • John Tonkiss joins the Board as Managing Director of UNITE's Student Hospitality UK Business. In this role, John will be leading a 700 strong team responsible for managing and growing UNITE's student business across the UK, with the important exception of London. Reflecting the significant part that London will play in UNITE's growth plans, a dedicated London team has been formed reporting directly to Mark Allan, Chief Executive. John joined UNITE in 2001 as General Manager of the Group's manufacturing business, where he set up its pioneering off-site manufacturing facility. He became a member of UNITE's Operations Board and in October 2004, was promoted to Group Development Director, managing UNITE's acquisition and development business. • Andrew Lee, Group HR Director at UNITE, has decided to step down from the Board with effect from 31 January. He will remain with UNITE until later this year, focusing on a number of specific leadership and development projects after which he plans to return to a career in academia and consulting. Shane Spiers, who has spent the last three years as HR director of the Group's Hospitality Services division, will succeed Andrew as Group HR Director, although this will not be a Group Board appointment. Geoffrey Maddrell, Chairman of UNITE, commented: 'I am delighted to welcome Tony Harris and John Tonkiss to the Board. With the successful launch in November of our UK Student Accommodation Fund, UNITE as market leader now stands at an important and exciting juncture in its evolution. Both Tony and John will be invaluable members of the executive team which has clear plans to capitalize on our leadership position and on the growing opportunities available. 'Andrew Lee will undoubtedly hold an important place in the history of UNITE. Through intellect, character, belief and professional skill, he has succeeded in kindling throughout UNITE a fundamental belief in the pivotal importance of how we behave and develop as individuals, and how we relate to one another and our customers, to the success of the business over the long term. It has been, and will continue to be, an indispensable requirement in delivering value to our shareholders. We thank Andrew warmly and wish him great happiness and success in the future.' No further details remain to be disclosed as required under LR 9.6.13R of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority. ENDS Enquiries: The UNITE Group plc Geoffrey Maddrell Tel: 0207 902 5053 Financial Dynamics Stephanie Highett / Dido Laurimore Tel: 020 7831 3113 Notes to Editors: • UNITE is the UK's leading student hospitality company. Listed in the FTSE 250 index of the London Stock Exchange, and with a property portfolio valued at some £1.1 billion located across the United Kingdom, the Group focuses on the provision and management of high quality, well-located student accommodation and hospitality services in strong higher education markets. • UNITE delivers the real student experience, whilst at the same time helping to regenerate cities as part of the community and contributing to the improvement of the country's housing. It undertakes the planning, development and management of sites, often working closely with the universities and colleges, to deliver accommodation for students across all ages and nationalities. UNITE developments typically show high occupancy levels and robust rental growth as demand continues to rise for places in UK Higher Education and for safe, high quality accommodation for students. Further information on UNITE is available at www.unite-group.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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