Appointment of Director

Barclays PLC
30 July 2002

                                                                    30 July 2002


BARCLAYS APPOINTS DR JURGEN ZECH AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


Barclays announces that it has today (Tuesday 30 July 2002) appointed Dr Jurgen
Zech to the Boards of Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC as a Non-Executive
Director.

Dr Zech is a leading businessman in Germany.  Most recently he was a member of
the Supervisory Board of Gerling NCM Credit and Finance, AG, the credit
insurance arm of the global Gerling insurance group.  Prior to that, Dr Zech was
Chief Executive of Gerling-Konzern, the general insurance arm of Gerling.

Sir Peter Middleton, Barclays Chairman, said; 'We are delighted to welcome
Jurgen to the Board.  He will bring a wealth of international financial services
expertise and experience at the highest level that I am sure will prove to be an
invaluable asset to the Board.'


                                     (Ends)


For further information, please contact:

Chris Tucker
Public Relations Director
Barclays Communications
Barclays PLC
Tel: [phone]




DR JURGEN ZECH



                             NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


In an extensive career spanning over 35 years, Dr Jurgen Zech has gained a
considerable reputation and significant experience at the highest levels of
international finance.  He has previously occupied senior roles both in the US
and more recently in Germany.  Until recently Dr Zech was on the Advisory
Council at Deutsche Bank in his capacity as Chief Executive of Gerling.



Partner Re, Ltd

Dr Zech has recently been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Partner Re,
Ltd, the reinsurance group.



Gerling NCM Credit and Finance AG

From January to May 2002, Dr Zech was a member of the Supervisory Board of
Gerling NCM Credit and Finance AG.



Gerling-Konzern, Cologne (1993-2001)

Dr Zech retired as Chairman of the Board of Management of the Gerling-Konzern
Versicherungs-Beteiligungs-AG at the end of 2001, a post he assumed in 1996
having previously served as Vice Chairman (from 1993) to the insurance group.



Kolnische Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, Cologne (1986-1992)

During the period 1987-1992 Dr Zech held the position of Chairman, Board of
Directors of this reinsurance group.  The company had previously recruited him
in 1986 to run their subsidiary company, Cologne Re, as Vice-Chairman.



Colonia Versicherung AG, Cologne (1975-1985)

Between 1980 and 1985, Dr Zech occupied the role of Member, Board of Executive
Directors.  In this role he was in charge of sales and marketing for the
insurance company.  Cologne Versicherung AG, majority owned by the Oppenheim
Bank, recruited Dr Zech in 1975 to join their Management Board, his
responsibilities included running the life insurance division as well as the
internal processes of the group as a whole.



McKinsey & Co. Inc. Dusseldorf/ New York (1968-1975)

Dr Zech joined McKinsey in 1968 where he worked mainly in the banking area,
particularly for Dresdner and Chase.  During this time he became the first
German to have been sent over to the US by McKinsey.  He became a partner of the
company in 1974.


Uniroyal Inc., New York (1965-1967)

Dr Zech's first job was with Uniroyal in New York.  He made up part of a team of
four people who toured the company's newly acquired European interests and
implemented updated accounting systems.

Dr Zech undertook a MBA at INSEAD between 1967-1968, prior to which he had
achieved both a Degree and Doctorate in Business Economics at the University of
Cologne.

Dr Zech (62) is married with three daughters.  He enjoys golf, tennis and
mountain-climbing.


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