Directorate Change

AstraZeneca PLC
28 September 2007



AstraZeneca Appoints Chief Financial Officer



AstraZeneca PLC has today announced the appointment of Simon Lowth as an
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer with effect from November 5,
2007.  In this role he will be responsible for Finance and Information Services.



Mr Lowth joins AstraZeneca from Scottish Power PLC where he was Finance Director
following two years as Executive Director, Corporate Strategy and Development.
Mr Lowth was a key member of the team that drove the strategic transformation of
Scottish Power. He played a critical role in the rejection of the E.On bid in
2005 and in the negotiation of the successful bid from Iberdrola S.A. in
November 2006. As Finance Director, he led Scottish Power's group-wide
performance and risk management processes, delivering strong EPS growth through
business development and tight cost control.  Mr Lowth left Scottish Power in
May 2007 following completion of the sale to Iberdrola.



Mr Lowth's move to Scottish Power in 2003 followed 15 years' experience with the
global management consultancy, McKinsey & Company, latterly as a senior Director
responsible for the firm's UK Industrial Practice. At McKinsey, Mr Lowth advised
leading multi-national companies on a wide range of strategic, financial and
operational issues.



'Simon brings to AstraZeneca a track record of delivering good financial results
combined with extensive strategy and business development expertise. I am
confident that he will be a valuable addition to the Senior Executive Team and
an able leader of AstraZeneca's strong finance team,' said David Brennan, CEO of
AstraZeneca.



'Simon has unique insight into the dynamics of companies driving change and
re-structuring for future success. He put this experience into practice driving
the turnaround at Scottish Power, contributing to significant improvements in
business and financial performance. AstraZeneca has embarked on its own change
journey including the transformational move into large-scale biologics this
year, so Simon's background makes him particularly well-suited to this role,'
said Louis Schweitzer, Chairman of AstraZeneca.



Mr Lowth has an engineering degree from Cambridge University and an MBA from
London Business School.



No disclosure obligations arise under paragraphs (1) to (6) of Listing Rule
9.6.13 of the UK Listing Authority's Listing Rules in respect of the appointment
of Mr Lowth.



SIMON LOWTH'S SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE



2003-May 2007           SCOTTISH POWER PLC



        2005-2007       Finance Director

        2003-2005       Executive Director, Corporate Strategy and
                        Development



1988-2003               MCKINSEY & COMPANY



        2000-2003       Director - Head of UK Industrial Practice

        1994-2000       Partner

        1988-1994       Consultant



1983-1985               OVE ARUP AND PARTNERS


                        Design Engineer



September 28, 2007

                                     -Ends-



Media Enquiries:

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Investor Relations:

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Karl Hard, Tel: [phone]
Jorgen Winroth, Tel: [phone]
Ed Seage, Tel: [phone]

Peter Vozzo, (MedImmune) Tel: [phone]








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