New Group General Counsel

Jardine Matheson Hldgs Ld
05 June 2003

             Jardine Matheson to Appoint new Group General Counsel


5th June 2003 - Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited today announced that Mr James
Watkins will be retiring from his position as the Group General Counsel at the
end of the year.  Mr Watkins has been with the Jardine Matheson Group since
1997, and was previously a partner of Linklaters & Paines.


Upon his retirement on 31st December 2003, Mr Watkins will be stepping down from
the boards of Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited, Dairy Farm International
Holdings Limited and Group management company Jardine Matheson Limited.  He will
continue to serve as a director of Mandarin Oriental International Limited.


Mr Jonathan Gould, a senior corporate partner with leading international law
firm Allen & Overy, will succeed Mr Watkins as Group General Counsel.  Mr Gould
has significant experience in Asia having been based in Hong Kong with Allen &
Overy from 1988 to 1996, when he was instrumental in establishing the firm's
local operation.  He will join the board of Jardine Matheson Limited upon his
appointment.


Jardine Matheson Managing Director, Mr Percy Weatherall, said, 'James Watkins
has made a significant contribution to the development of the Group, for which
we are extremely grateful.  I am pleased that he will continue his association
with Group companies after his retirement as a full-time executive.  I would
also like to welcome Jonathan Gould who brings a wealth of experience to the
Group.'


Jardine Matheson is an Asian-based conglomerate with extensive experience in the
region.  Its business interests comprise Jardine Pacific, Jardine Motors Group,
Hongkong Land, Dairy Farm, Mandarin Oriental, Cycle & Carriage and Jardine Lloyd
Thompson.  These companies are leaders in the fields of engineering and
construction, consumer marketing, motor trading, property, retailing, hotels and
insurance broking.


                                    - End -



For further information, please contact:


Jardine Matheson Limited
Neil M McNamara                      (852) 2843 8227

Matheson & Co. Limited
Martin Henderson                     (44) 20 7816 8135

Golin/Harris Forrest
Katherine Wang                       (852) 2501 7984

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Richard Hews / Christian San Jose    (44) 20 7067 0700




This and other Group announcements can be accessed through the Internet at 
'www.jardines.com'.




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