Directorate Change

FIRSTGROUP PLC                                 

                               BOARD APPOINTMENT                               

We are pleased to announce that Audrey Baxter will join the Board of FirstGroup
plc as a Non-Executive Director in August 2006.

Audrey is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baxters Food Group. She
joined Baxters in 1989 and has been instrumental in the successful expansion
and development of an established family business into an international group
with products distributed throughout the world and exported to the USA, Canada,
South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and Europe.

Commenting on the appointment, Martin Gilbert, Chairman said: "I am delighted
that Audrey is joining the Group. Under her leadership Baxters has successfully
expanded into new markets and developed as a global brand. I am confident that
she will make a significant contribution to the Group. "

Contacts:

Rachael Borthwick,

Group Corporate Communications Director Tel: [phone]