Directorate Change

UK Coal PLC
13 May 2004



                                                                     13 May 2004






                                  UK COAL PLC

           Appointment of Graham Menzies as a non-executive director



The Board of UK COAL PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Graham
Menzies as a non-executive director of the Company from 1 June 2004. Mr Menzies
will sit on the Property, Nomination and Remuneration Committees of the Board.


Graham Menzies, 56, is Chief Executive of Senior plc, the specialist
international engineering group which supplies high technology components and
systems to the aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Since the beginning
of this year he has been non-executive director at Heywood Williams plc.


Previously Graham was Chief Executive of Adwest Automotive plc and non-executive
director on the boards of St Ives plc (1997 -2003) and Howden plc (1996-1997).


David Jones, Chairman of UK COAL PLC, commenting on the appointment said:


'I am delighted to welcome Graham to the board of UK Coal. He is a respected
industrialist with a strong engineering and operational background and has huge
experience in the management of change. His industrial experience will
complement the financial and property skills of the other non-executive members
of the Board.'


There are no details to be disclosed under paragraph 6.F.2 (b) to (g) of the
Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.



For further information please contact:

Liz Morley/Ken Cronin                       [phone]
Gavin Anderson & Company










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