Directorate

CGU PLC
14 October 1999


CGU plc EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT

CGU announces the appointment of Mr Patrick Thiele, age 48, to the position of
Group Director - Development.  He will be responsible for strategic
development initiatives across the Group.  Reporting directly to Bob Scott,
Group Chief Executive, Pat Thiele will be a member of the Executive and will
be based in London from 1 November 1999.  


Enquiries

Analysts/investors: Steve Riley, Head of Investor Relations [phone]
Media:      William Clutterbuck, The Maitland Consultancy   [phone]


NOTES TO EDITORS

* CGU is Europe's 5th largest insurance group and the largest in the UK (based
on worldwide sales of some £18bn per annum).

* Pat Thiele was Executive Vice-President of The St Paul Companies (USA) and
Chief Executive Officer of its US and International Insurance Operations.  He
previously held the appointments of Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Investment Officer.

* St Paul is a leading US insurer with interests in Property and Casualty,
Life, Reinsurance and Fund Management.