Appointment of CEO

Oxford Instruments PLC
05 April 2005


Tuesday 5th April 2005


Oxford Instruments' appoints a new Chief Executive

Oxford Instruments plc ("Oxford Instruments", the "Company"), the advanced
instrumentation company, announces today the appointment of Jonathan Flint as a
director of the Company and its Chief Executive with effect from 5th April 2005.

Mr Flint, 44, is an experienced Managing Director with an established career in
the technology sector, spanning communications, instrumentation and satellite
technology. He has specific expertise in leading high-tech businesses with
highly demanding delivery schedules into sensitive markets. Commercialisation of
technically orientated products is one of his key skills.

Most recently Mr Flint was Managing Director, UK, of Vislink plc, a company
which designs and manufactures microwave electronics and antenna instrumentation
for the broadcast and telecoms markets. Prior to Vislink, Jonathan spent a major
part of his career with BAe Systems where he was Managing Director of the Sensor
Systems Division, a business based in Edinburgh with a turnover of £500 million,
which manufactures instrumentation for the Defence Industry. Jonathan has also
held other senior management positions within BAe Systems, GEC Marconi and Matra
Space Systems.

Mr Flint holds a degree in Physics from Imperial College London and an MBA from
Southampton University with a specialisation in Strategic Management.

There are no further details to be disclosed under paragraph 2.F.2(b) to (g) of
the Listing Rules.

Nigel Keen, Chairman of Oxford Instruments, said:

"Jonathan Flint brings all the attributes we are seeking for the role of Chief
Executive and we are delighted to welcome him to Oxford Instruments. He has an
engineering and sales background with extensive experience in leading high
technology industries as well as having had broad customer interaction at senior
levels. His experience in commercialisation of technically orientated projects,
and in reducing time to market for new products, will help us deliver enhanced
returns to our shareholders from the world leading technologies, which we have
developed within our Company."

Commenting on his appointment, Jonathan Flint said: "Oxford Instruments boasts
world class technologies in advanced instrumentation.  The Group has been
greatly simplified with the recent sale of the Medical division, allowing us to
focus resources on our core competencies in X-ray technology, nanotechnology,
superconductivity and the provision of low temperature environments.

My priority is to accelerate the pace of growth across our businesses by
enhancing the way we apply these market-leading technologies to solve problems
for our customers.  No other company can lay claim to comparable skills and I am
excited about the opportunities to unlock the Group's tremendous growth
potential."

Oxford Instruments is issuing two further announcements today: the trading
update for year ended 31st March 2005 and the acquisition of HKL Technologies A/
S.


Enquiries:

Oxford Instruments plc                                   01865 881437
Nigel Keen, Chairman
Jonathan Flint, Chief Executive
Martin Lamaison, Financial Director

Hogarth Partnership Limited                              020 7357 9477
Rachel Hirst
Andrew Jaques
Edward Westropp


Notes to Editors

Oxford Instruments plc

Oxford Instruments is a worldwide leader in advanced instrumentation. It is a
recognised leader in several high technologies, including the application of
superconductivity, the creation of low temperatures, and the production and
detection of X-rays. The Company's products are used around the world in
scientific research, industrial chemical analysis and quality control, and
semiconductor processing. Its customers include most of the world's major
international companies, as well as leading research institutes and
universities.

Born out of Oxford University, with over 40 years of continuous product
development, Oxford Instruments comprises of two business groups: Analytical and
Superconductivity. The combined strengths of both groups mean that Oxford
Instruments is well positioned to take advantage of exciting and innovative
opportunities in existing and new markets.



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