Appointment

National Grid Group PLC
5 March 2001

         National Grid Appoints Board Director and UK Chief Executive

The Board of National Grid Group plc is pleased to announce the appointment of
Steven Holliday as Executive Director with responsibility for Europe, and
Chief Executive of The National Grid Company, the UK transmission business,
with effect from 30 March 2001. He succeeds Roger Urwin, who becomes National
Grid Group Chief Executive on 1 April 2001 upon the retirement of David Jones.

Steven Holliday, 44, has more than 20 years of experience in the energy
industry. Most recently he was an Executive Director with British Borneo Oil
and Gas, where he was responsible for the development of international
business opportunities and played a leading role in the merger with Hardy Oil
& Gas in 1998. Before joining British Borneo he was with the Exxon Group for
19 years where he held senior positions in operations and international
business development.

James Ross, Chairman of National Grid, commented:

'We are delighted that, following an international search, Steven Holliday has
been appointed to join the National Grid Board, bringing valuable operational
expertise and wide-ranging international business development experience from
the oil and gas industry. His skills are complementary to those of Roger Urwin
and Rick Sergel, who leads our growing US business, both of whom have
extensive electricity sector experience.'

Roger Urwin added:

'Steven's experience managing capital intensive operations that demand the
highest reliability and safety performance while constantly improving
efficiency, is highly relevant to our UK transmission business.

'In addition, his broad international experience will enhance our ability to
identify and exploit opportunities in electricity markets in Europe and
beyond.

'Steven's skills will integrate well into what is already an exceptionally
strong UK management team.'



Enquiries

Investors

Jill Sherratt [phone]

(m) [phone]

Media

National Grid:

Susan Stevens [phone]

(m) [phone]


Gareth Lloyd      [phone]

(m) [phone]

Citigate Dewe Rogerson:

Anthony Carlisle [phone]

(m) [phone]



Notes to Editors

Steven Holliday

Steven Holliday has been an Executive Director of British Borneo Oil and Gas
since 1997. He was responsible for creating and managing the company's
international operations in Brazil, West Africa and Australia. He was
instrumental in the negotiations for British Borneo's acquisition of Hardy Oil
& Gas in 1998, and managed the integration of the two companies. After last
year's take-over of British Borneo by Agip (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni),
he was retained to advise Agip on international acquisitions and disposals.

From 1978 to 1997 he was with Exxon Group. He began his career as a graduate
engineer at Esso Petroleum and quickly rose through the ranks with five
promotions in 10 years. In 1988 he was appointed Operations Manager for Esso
UK's Fawley Refinery, Exxon's largest refinery outside of the US. In 1992 he
became Divisional Director with responsibility for Supply and Transportation.
In 1994, he was made responsible for Exxon's gas businesses throughout the Far
East and was based in the US.

Steven received a BSc degree in engineering from Nottingham University. He is
married and has two children, and lives in Twickenham.