Re Directorate

Whitbread PLC
20 September 2000

Whitbread - board of directors

Whitbread today announced that Mr Karel Vuursteen has resigned from its board
of directors.  Mr Vuursteen is Chairman of the executive board of Heineken and
has been a non-executive director of Whitbread since 1993.

Sir John Banham, Chairman, said: 'The Board of Whitbread has accepted Karel
Vuursteen's resignation with great regret, although we understand why he
considers that after seven years service and the sale of the Whitbread Beer
Company, it is the right time to step down.'





For further information please contact: 


David Reed        -       Tel: [phone]
Whitbread PLC