Directorate Change

Sainsbury(J) PLC
01 July 2004






1 July 2004





NEW CHAIRMAN FOR J SAINSBURY plc



J Sainsbury plc today announced that Sir Peter Davis has stepped down as
Chairman and as a Director of the company.    Philip Hampton (50) has been
appointed as his successor and will join the Board and take up his new role on
19th July 2004.



Lord Levene, the Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Nomination
Committee, said  'We will now have the powerful combination of Philip Hampton
with strong financial and strategic experience as Chairman and Justin King,
Chief Executive with proven retailing skills.



'Consultations with a number of major shareholders have shown that there is
substantial support for this appointment'



The Board would like to express its gratitude to Sir Peter Davis for all his
hard work on behalf of the company.



Notes



 1. Philip Hampton (50) was group finance director of Lloyds TSB Group plc from
    2002-2004, group finance director of BT Group plc from 2000-2002, group
    finance director of the BG Group plc (formerly British Gas plc) from
    1995-2000, group finance director of British Steel plc from 1990-1995 and
    Executive director of Lazards from 1981-1990.



Currently he is a non-executive director of Belgacom (the Belgian telecom group)
since 2004, of RMC Group plc since 2002 and is leading 'the Hampton Review' for
HM Treasury.



 2. Philip Hampton will join Sainsbury's on 19th July 2004.  He will be paid
    £395,000 per annum.



 3. In discussion with Sir Peter Davis about possible amendments to his share
    award, details of which were disclosed in the 2004 Report and Accounts, it
    was not possible to reach agreement.  It was mutually decided that this
    matter would be referred to legal representatives of both parties as part of
    his termination arrangements.






Enquiries:

Investor relations                                Media
[phone]                              [phone]
Roger Matthews                                    Jan Shawe
Lynda Ashton                                      Pip Wood


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange