Directorate Change

Severn Trent Plc
3 June 2004

       Colin Matthews to succeed Robert Walker as Group Chief Executive        
             Rachel Brydon Jannetta to join Severn Trent Plc Board             
           Brian Duckworth to step down from Severn Trent Plc Board            

Severn Trent Plc announces today the appointment of Colin Matthews as its new
Group Chief Executive, succeeding Robert Walker when he retires in February
2005.

Colin Matthews, aged 48, is at present CEO of Hays Plc and has been a
non-executive director of Severn Trent Plc since October 2003. He will join
Severn Trent on 6 September 2004 as Group Chief Executive Designate to
facilitate a smooth transition into his new role.

David Arculus, Chairman of Severn Trent Plc, said: 'We are extremely pleased
Colin has agreed to take over as Group Chief Executive from February 2005 and
we thank Robert for five years of successful leadership.

'Colin has already impressed us with his contribution to the Board's work and I
am confident he will ensure the continued development of Severn Trent as a
leading environmental services group.

'His wide experience with America's General Electric Company, British Airways,
Transco and Hays means we have appointed a first class individual with an
engineering and operational background who can build on the success of our core
businesses of water, waste and laboratories. We are fortunate to have secured a
man of his talents.'

Colin Matthews said: 'I am delighted to accept this exciting challenge to build
on work so ably undertaken by Robert Walker in the past five years. I look
forward to joining a group with such a great track record and so well-placed
for the future.'

Severn Trent announces today a new appointment to the Severn Trent Plc Board,
Rachel Brydon Jannetta, aged 44, President and CEO of Severn Trent Laboratories
and based in America. She will join the Board in September.

'In her leadership of Laboratories Rachel has demonstrated a real talent for
growing a business and we warmly welcome her to the Board.' said Mr Arculus.

Severn Trent Plc announces today that Brian Duckworth has decided to step down
as Managing Director of Severn Trent Water and from the Severn Trent Plc Board
at the end of August. However, he will continue as an employee of the group
until March 2005 to ensure his expertise is available to help complete the
regulatory process for the AMP4 review.

Brian Duckworth said: 'I feel it's the right time for me, at the age of 55, to
seek fresh opportunities. After 10 years as Managing Director of Severn Trent
Water, I will have seen the company through privatisation and three regulatory
reviews when I leave next year. I shall be leaving a business in good shape
with a great team of people dedicated to customer service as well as financial
results.'

Mr Arculus said: 'Brian has served Severn Trent for 30 years with distinction
and we thank him for his outstanding contributions to Severn Trent and the
water industry, not just in the Midlands but nationally and internationally. We
shall have the benefit of his experience and advice until the AMP4 review
process has been completed.'

For further information contact:

Peter Gavan                                         
Director of Corporate Affairs   0121 722 4310       
                                                    
Julian Wais                                         
Head of Investor Relations      0121 722 4310       
                                                    
Simon Holberton                                     
Brunswick                       0121 722 4310       

Footnote:

Colin Matthews MA CEng. He joined the Board on 17 October 2003. He is a
Chartered Engineer who has worked in Japan, France, Canada and the UK. He
worked for the (American) General Electric Company for nine years and
subsequently spent five years at British Airways, first as Director of
Engineering then as Director of Technical Operations, responsible for all
aircraft maintenance, IT and procurement. He then joined the Board of Lattice
Group Plc as Group Managing Director of Transco until its merger with the
National Grid. He has held his current position as CEO of Hays Plc since
November 2002. Mr Matthews holds a first class degree in Engineering from
Cambridge University.

Rachel Brydon Jannetta FCCA. She has worked for the Bank of Scotland, Scottish
and Newcastle Breweries, Gerber Lander and Gee, and Allied Maples Group (Allied
Carpets). She joined Severn Trent in 1993 as Managing Director of Severn Trent
Laboratories. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified
Accountants.