Statement re Ventura Strategic Review

Next PLC
25 November 1999


Contacts: David Jones, Chief Executive
          Next Plc
          Tel:  [phone]

          Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
          Philip Dennis
          Square Mile Communications
          Tel:  [phone]

                             
                             
                         NEXT PLC

The  Board  of NEXT Plc announces that it has  completed  a
review  of  its  subsidiary Ventura, and as  a  result  the
business will be divided into two divisions:

* Clydesdale Financial Services (Clydesdale)

* Ventura Customer Services Management (Ventura)

Clydesdale  provides funded consumer credit and  associated
management  services  to  over 60 companies.  It  currently
operates as a stand alone business and does not draw on the
core  skills  of the NEXT Group. Therefore, the  Board  has
decided  to  sell this business. In the year to 31  January
1999  Clydesdale reported profit before tax of £3.1  m  and
its assets included £72 m of consumer credit.

Ventura   provides   call  centre  and   customer   account
management  for  companies  who  wish  to  outsource  these
services.  The Board considers that call centre  management
is  a  growth  market with many opportunities. Ventura,  by
drawing  on  Group skills developed for NEXT Directory,  is
ideally placed to take advantage of these opportunities.

As  a  result of this re-organisation, Ventura's board  and
senior  management  has  been significantly  re-structured.
These changes will improve the focus and efficiency of  the
business.