Alex Watson to be Interim Chairman

UNITED OVERSEAS GROUP PLC
29 October 1999

                   UNITED OVERSEAS GROUP PLC:  BOARD CHANGE

As envisaged at the time of the announcement of the Group's Interim results in
September, Norman Riddell is standing down as non-executive Chairman in  order
to  concentrate on his other business interests.  Alex Watson, who has  served
as  a  non-executive  director since September 1998, has agreed  to  serve  as
Chairman from 30th October 1999 until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Norman  Riddell  was  appointed Chairman in March 1997, at  the  time  of  the
Company's  Stock Market flotation, and has overseen the Group's  international
development including the acquisition of Intertrading in Northern Europe.

Alex Watson, 61, who takes over as Chairman has extensive experience across  a
broad  range  of manufacturing and service companies in Europe, North  America
and  Asia  Pacific.  Alex now serves as Chairman and director of a  number  of
public and private companies, and was formerly an executive director of  Metal
Box Group plc and Director General of Carnaud Metal Box Group.

Mr. Watson commented:
'I  would  like to thank Norman Riddell on behalf of the Board  for  his  hard
work,  commitment and valuable contribution to the development of  the  United
Overseas Group over the past two and half years, and we wish him well  in  his
future projects.'

Note:
United   Overseas  Group  plc  is  Europe's  largest  distributor  of   excess
inventories of branded consumer products.

Enquiries:

Alex Watson, Chairman
Jeffrey Curtiss, Chief Executive
United Overseas Group plc                                        01733 362 300

Paul Vann
Binns & Co PR Limited                                            0171 786 9600