Name Change

Fairey Group PLC
12 March 2001


Date: Embargoed until 7.00am, Monday, 12th March, 2001

Contact: John Poulter, Chief Executive

Fairey Group   Tel [phone] (am)

Richard Mountain

Financial Dynamics  Tel [phone]


                 Fairey Group to change name to Spectris plc


Fairey Group plc announces that it proposes to change its name to Spectris
plc, subject to shareholder approval, following its AGM on 8 May 2001. The
change of name to Spectris reflects the transformation of Fairey into a
specialist technology-based instrumentation and electronic controls company
which has 90% of its business outside the UK.

Given the long and illustrious history of the business, the Fairey name is
inextricably associated by many with UK aviation and engineering. The
reshaping of the group makes it an appropriate time to adopt a name which
reflects more closely the company's focus on providing innovative technology
for the improvement of customers' performance worldwide.

Spectris is the parent company name of the businesses acquired by Fairey last
year. The name Spectris already has recognition in many global markets and
provides the opportunity to adopt a name which, along with trademarks and
website domains, the company already owns.

The name change is subject to shareholder approval. A circular containing the
resolution to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, to be
held on 8 May, will be posted to shareholders in April with the Report and
Accounts.