New Appointments to the Board

Halstead(James) Group PLC
17 January 2000

                                                                              
                           JAMES HALSTEAD GROUP PLC
                                       
                              BOARD APPOINTMENTS

James Halstead Group plc today announces the appointment of two directors.

Mr John Lee is appointed a non-executive director, and will also sit on the
Remuneration and Audit Committee.  Mr Lee is by training a chartered
accountant.  He is a former Member of Parliament and government minister, and
also serves on the boards of Falcon Holdings PLC and Paterson Zochonis PLC as
a non-executive director.

Mr Mark Halstead is appointed an executive director, having been with the
Group for over twenty years.  For the past six years he has been the managing
director of JHT Limited, and he has been the joint managing director of
Objectflor for the past three years.

These appointments follow the recent resignation of Mr Arthur Halstead who
resigned as a non-executive director on 31 December 1999 having served on the
Board for thirty-six years.

Commenting on the appointments, the Chairman, Mr V E Clare, welcomed these
additions to the Board stating that Mr Lee's wide experience, and Mark
Halstead's comprehensive knowledge and proven track record in the
floorcoverings industry would substantially strengthen the Group Board.

Enquiries:     Gordon Oliver, Group Finance Director
               James Halstead Group plc
Telephone:     [phone]