Re Directorate/Trading Update

Mothercare PLC
17 January 2001


Appointment of Finance Director and trading update

Appointments

Mothercare plc today announces the appointment of a Finance
Director and two senior executives to its management team.

Mark McMenemy will be joining the Mothercare plc Board as
Finance Director from C&J Clark Ltd, where he has been Group
Finance Director with responsibility for IT and Logistics.
Mark has played a key role in the turnaround of Clarks Shoes
and, prior to that, he spent 12 years at Marks & Spencer
plc.  In his new role, which he will take up on 17 April
2001, Mark will assume responsibility for IT and Logistics
as well as the Finance function.

Vince Gunn is to join Mothercare on 5 February 2001 as
Retail Operations Director.  He is currently Retail
Development Director at Thomson Travel Group where he has
been responsible for the development of the Lunn Poly retail
chain over the last two years.

Claire Tiney joined the company on 2 January 2001 in the new
role of Human Resources Director.  Claire has twenty years
experience in retail, her most recent role being that of
Human Resources Director of the High Street Division at WH
Smith Group.

Trading

In the 40 weeks to 12 January 2001, Mothercare achieved
cumulative sales growth of 4.1 percent in the ongoing
business, 1.8 per cent on a like for like basis.  In the
third quarter to 12 January, sales growth in the ongoing
business was 3.0 per cent, 1.0 per  cent on a like for like
basis. Margins continue to improve on last year.

Commenting today, Chris Martin, Chief Executive of
Mothercare plc said:

'We are building a first class team to drive the business
forward.  Our recovery programme to make Mothercare the
leading specialist retailer for mothers-to-be and parents of
young children is on track and sales and margin for the
period have been in line with our expectations.'


Enquiries:

Chris Martin, Chief Executive, Mothercare plc
Caroline Whitelegge, Corporate Affairs, Mothercare plc 
01923 206187 
Victoria Sabin/Alexandra Ranson, Brunswick Group Ltd
020 7404 5959

Notes to Editors:   Mothercare plc appointments

1.  Mark McMenemy:   Finance Director*; age 42

1996-2001   C&J Clark Ltd - Group Finance Director
1985-1996   Marks & Spencer plc - roles included: Financial
            Controller, UK & European Stores; Chief Financial 
            Officer, Brooks Brothers; Financial Controller, 
            Food Division
* Mothercare plc Board appointment

2.  Vince Gunn: Retail Operations Director; age 34

1999-2001   Thomson Travel Group - Retail Development Director
1991-1999   Body Shop International plc - roles included: 
            Managing Director of UK Trading Division; Head of 
            Global Retail Operations; UK Franchise Operations 
            Manager
1986-1991   Marks & Spencer plc - Commercial Manager

3.  Claire Tiney: Human Resources Director; age 40

1995-2001   WH Smith Group plc - roles included: Human Resources 
            Director, WH Smith High Street; Group Employment 
            Policy Manager; Personnel Director, Waterstone's 
            Booksellers
1991-1994   Do It All - Head of Personnel
1990-1991   Woolworth's plc - Manpower Resourcing Controller
1988-1990   Budgens plc - Personnel & Training Controller