Chairman's AGM Statement, etc

COLEFAX AND FOWLER GROUP PLC
21 September 1999



                          AGM STATEMENT & NAME CHANGE

At the Annual General Meeting today, all resolutions were passed, including  a
special  resolution  to  shorten the holding company name  from  'Colefax  and
Fowler  Group  Plc'  to 'Colefax Group Plc'. The name change  is  intended  to
reflect  the  expanded number of brands within the product  division  and  the
Group's international spread of sales. Following the acquisitions of Larsen in
June  1997 and Manuel Canovas in April 1998, the Colefax and Fowler brand  now
makes up only one of seven distinct brands within the Group.

Commenting on trading, David Green, Chairman, said:

'The  Group has made a good start to the year.  The US market, which  accounts
for  approximately 50% of total sales has continued to perform well.   In  the
UK,  trading has remained difficult although we are starting to see  signs  of
improvement.   In  Continental Europe, trading conditions are  mixed  although
overall sales are performing in line with expectations.

Our decorating division has a healthy order book and is on target for another
good year.'

______________________________________________________________________________


Press inquires:

David Green, Chairman, Colefax and Fowler Group Plc
Tel: [phone]

Zoe Biddick/Katie Tzouliadis, Biddick Associates
Tel: [phone]