Directorate

MENTMORE ABBEY PLC
2 September 1999

                              Mentmore Abbey plc
                      ('Mentmore Abbey' or 'the Company')
                                       
                                 Board Changes
                                       
As  envisaged in the Listing Particulars sent to shareholders dated  3  August
1999, Peter Pollock has resigned as a non-executive director of Mentmore Abbey
with  effect  from  today. This follows from the Offer for  Birkby  PLC  being
declared  unconditional in all respects and the appointment  of  three  Birkby
directors to the Board of Mentmore Abbey. The Board would like to thank  Peter
for his enormous contribution to the successful development of the Company and
wish him well in the development of his other business interests.

Following  completion of the Merger of  Mentmore Abbey and Birkby, Nick  Smith
and  Clive  Drysdale  were appointed to the board of Birkby  on  Wednesday,  1
September 1999.