Appointment of new Non-Executive Director

FirstGroup plc 9 May 2002

                                FIRSTGROUP PLC                                 

                   APPOINTMENT OF NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR                   

FirstGroup plc is pleased to announce that John Sievwright has today joined the
Board as a Non-Executive Director.

John Sievwright (47), a Chartered Accountant, has held various positions in
banking, most recently at Merrill Lynch. Specialising in capital markets and
equity derivatives, he worked in various senior management positions in London,
New York and Dublin, and in 1998, was appointed President and Chief Operating
Officer, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities in Tokyo. He retired from Merrill Lynch
in 2001 and now resides in the United States. He is a member of the North
American Board of the Michael Smurfit Business School, Dublin.

Commenting, Martin Gilbert, Chairman of FirstGroup plc said: 'I am pleased to
welcome John to the Board where he will bring valuable international and
banking experience.'

Mr Sievwright holds 7,500 ordinary shares in FirstGroup plc at the date of his
appointment. There are no other details required to be disclosed under
paragraph 16.4 of the Listing Rules.

Enquiries:

FirstGroup plc Michael Mitchell, Director of Corporate Communications

Tel: [phone]