New Chief Executive

Halfords Group PLC
14 March 2005


For immediate release
                                                                   14 March 2005

             Halfords Group appoints Ian McLeod as Chief Executive

The Board of Halfords Group Plc today announces the appointment of Ian McLeod as
Chief Executive.

Ian McLeod is currently Chief Operating Officer of Halfords Group. He joined
Halfords Group in September 2003. Before joining Halfords he was Chief Executive
of Celtic PLC from April 2001 to April 2003. Prior to that he gained 20 years'
retail experience at Asda where he was a director of Asda Stores Limited from
February 1997 to May 2001 and a member of the WalMart Germany Executive Board
from April 2000 to April 2001.

David Hamid is retiring as Chief Executive of Halfords Group because of ill
health, but will remain as an adviser to the Board until the end of June.

Rob Templeman, Chairman of Halfords Group, said:

'We are sorry that David is retiring because of his poor health and the Board
would like to place on record its appreciation of his valuable contribution to
the business.

'We are very fortunate to be able to appoint Ian immediately. He has great
credentials for the job and has played an important role in running the business
alongside David and the senior management team. We are confident that Halfords
Group will continue to fulfil its potential under Ian's leadership.'

                                     -ends-
Enquiries:

Halfords Group Plc:
Nick Carter, Finance Director                      020 7190 1703

Gainsborough Communications:
Andy Cornelius                                     020 7190 1703
Julian Walker                                      020 7190 1705

Notes to Editors:
Halfords is the UK's leading car maintenance, car enhancement, cycling and
travel solutions group with 387 stores and over 9,000 employees.

The Group's 11,000 product lines range from car parts and cycles through to the
latest in-car entertainment and satellite navigation equipment, alloy wheels,
child seats, roof boxes and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include
Ripspeed, for car enhancement, and Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories.

Halfords is a FTSE 250 company. It was established in 1892 and was successfully
floated in 2004.




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