Board Appointment

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC
23 August 2005



For Release                                                 23 August 2005


                            JAMES FISHER & SONS PLC

                               Board Appointment


James Fisher & Sons Plc ('James Fisher' or 'the Company'), the leading marine
services provider, announces the appointment of Simon Harris , as a Director to
its main Board, with immediate effect.  Simon (44) is Managing Director of James
Fisher Defence, having joined the Company in March 2004 as Commercial Director
of James Fisher Shipping Services.


Commenting, Tim Harris, Chairman, James Fisher, said:  'Simon's appointment to
the Board reflects the continuing successful development of our Marine Services
division and our commitment to ensuring that we have the management to enable
the division to fulfill its excellent growth potential.'


He added: 'James Fisher has the capability to offer services across a broad
range of shipping and marine related activities, having expanded our range of
operations significantly in the last five years.'


James Fisher provides services across the defence sector. These include
management of the UK Submarine Rescue Service, specialist services for
submarines and ship management.


ENDS


For further information, please contact:

James Fisher and Sons plc                     Binns & Co PR Ltd

Tim Harris, Chairman                          Peter Binns                 Tel: [phone]
Nick Henry, Chief Executive                   Paul McManus                Tel: [phone]
Mike Shields, Finance Director                                            Mob: [phone]

Tel: [phone]


Simon Harris

Simon Harris graduated in Engineering from Queens' College Cambridge and began a
career with the MoD training at Manadon, Dartmouth and at sea with the RN,
before completing an MSc in Naval Architecture at University College London.  He
has held senior positions within the industry and led the team which
successfully negotiated the £1 billion Strategic Sea-lift Services PFI contract.
He is a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.  He is married,
with three daughters.


About James Fisher

James Fisher & Sons Plc is a leading provider of Marine Services with its
business divided across three sectors.  The group excels in the provision of
technical engineering solutions in the marine environment.


The group is led from headquarters in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria by a team
committed to developing the business for the benefit of shareholders, customers
and employees.  It has a London office based in the City.  James Fisher has
three divisions:


Marine Support Services

Specialist marine services to the defence, nuclear and the oil and gas
industries.  Marine Support Services is the largest division.


Marine Oil Services

Delivery of refined petroleum products in North West Europe.


Cable Ships

Marine Platform for fibre optic cable laying.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange