Board Apptmt.& CEO Succession

Ricardo PLC
18 February 2005




18 February 2005

                                  Ricardo plc
                      Board Appointment and CEO Succession

Ricardo plc, a leading independent automotive consultancy, is pleased to
announce the appointment of Dave Shemmans to the Board as Chief Executive
Officer, Designate and Managing Director International Operations with immediate
effect.

Dave Shemmans, 39, has been with Ricardo for six years. He joined in 1999 as
business development manager for Ricardo Consulting Engineers ('RCE') and in
2002 became Group business development director. In December 2003 he was
appointed Managing Director of RCE. As business development director he was
directly responsible for winning some major programmes and, more recently as
Managing Director, has brought significant change, development and improvement
to the engines business, the core of Ricardo's activity.

Dave is an electronics engineer by profession and prior to joining Ricardo
gained significant consulting and management experience in both listed and
private companies.

In order to ensure a smooth handover, he will work closely with Rodney Westhead
over the coming months and will take specific responsibility for the preparation
of next years operating plan. He will assume the role of CEO when Rodney retires
at the completion of the AGM in November.

There are no details regarding Mr. Shemmans that require disclosure under
section 6. F. 2 (b) to (g) referred to in paragraph 16.4 of the Listing Rules.

Marcus Beresford, Chairman of Ricardo, said:

'Rodney Westhead has made an outstanding contribution to Ricardo and the Group's
development over the past 13 years. We are pleased that Dave has agreed to
succeed Rodney and work with him until he retires at the AGM this November. His
direct industry experience and knowledge of Ricardo make him an excellent
successor and we welcome him to the board. '

Enquiries:

Ricardo plc                         Tel: [phone]
Marcus Beresford, Chairman
www.ricardo.com

Gavin Anderson & Company            Tel: [phone]
Laura Hickman/Charlotte Stone





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