Executive Responsibilities

Barclays PLC
14 December 2004





                                                                14 December 2004

        BARCLAYS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC today announce changes to the
responsibilities of its executive management team, which are designed to focus
increased leadership capacity on growing the Group's international retail and
commercial banking business and building on the progress in the Group's wealth
management business. These changes will be effective from January 1, 2005.

David Roberts, a Director of Barclays and currently Chief Executive, Barclays
Private Clients and International (PC&I), will become Chief Executive,
International Retail and Commercial Banking.

One of Barclays four strategic priorities is to build its retail and commercial
banking businesses outside the UK. This comprises driving forward Barclays
current non UK retail and commercial banking activities; delivering a large
integration programme in Spain consequent on the acquisition last year of Banco
Zaragozano; and leading another large integration programme in South Africa if
the proposed acquisition of a majority stake in the South African bank ABSA is
approved.

In order to create the capacity for undivided focus on this agenda, the two
businesses which currently report to Mr Roberts will be separated. Mr Roberts
will be responsible for all Barclays present and prospective retail and
commercial banking operations outside the UK, which currently include the
Caribbean, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Africa.

Robert E Diamond Jnr, Chief Executive of Barclays Capital and Chairman of BGI,
will assume additional responsibility for the Private Clients components of PC&I
- International & Private Banking and Wealth Solutions. Mr Diamond will apply
the same disciplines of excellence in execution, talent management and client
focus that have been successful in Barclays Capital and Barclays Global
Investors in accelerating the expansion of Private Clients, initiated in 2003
and driven forward successfully by David Roberts this year.

Paul Idzik, recently appointed Barclays Chief Operating Officer, will succeed
David Roberts as chairman of the Barclays Group Operating Committee.

John Varley, Barclays Group Chief Executive, said: 'These changes will ensure
that the momentum of strategic delivery at Barclays is accelerated. David
Roberts will have greater capacity to focus on building our retail and
commercial banking businesses outside the UK, a vital element of our goal to
grow the proportion of our earnings from overseas. Bob Diamond will now take
charge of a portfolio of global businesses which share a number of similarities.

'These changes will speed our progress towards the achievement of our strategic
objectives.'

                                    - ends -

For further information please contact:

Investor Relations                     Media Relations

Cathy Turner                           Chris Tucker/Leigh Bruce
Head of Investor Relations             PR Director/Comms Director
Tel: [phone]                     Tel: [phone]




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