Chairman's Statement

United Overseas Group PLC
21 June 2000

                           UNITED OVERSEAS GROUP PLC
                           Chairman's AGM Statement
                                       
United  Overseas  Group  PLC ('UOG'), the world-wide  distributor  of  branded
consumer  goods,  held  its Annual General Meeting in  Peterborough  today  at
2.30pm.

At  the  AGM,  Alex  Watson, UOG's Chairman, made the following  statement  to
shareholders:
'I  am pleased to announce that the decisive management actions taken over the
last year are being rewarded.

'The  Group is currently performing ahead of target for the first five  months
of  the  current year, with significant progress being made in the UK.  Whilst
trading  conditions are expected to remain challenging through the balance  of
the year, we are confident that our plans to return the business to profitable
sustainable growth are being achieved.

'We have made further management changes in the UK and the Netherlands, at our
two core operations.

'I am pleased to announce that Phil Carr, currently Group Financial Controller
is to be appointed Group Financial Director with effect from 1 August. He will
succeed  Terry  Balkham,  who is leaving the Group at  the  end  of  July  for
personal reasons, and the Board thank him for his contribution to UOG and wish
him every success in the future.

'Phil, a Chartered Management Accountant, began his career with Morgan Brown &
Spofforth,  a  City based firm of auditors. He joined the Group  in  1997  and
played a key role in UOG's flotation. He has been instrumental in shaping  the
Group's  internal financial and management reporting structures and  has  held
the position of Group Financial Controller since March 1999.

'I  am also delighted to announce the appointment of Bert Boersema to the main
Board  as Managing Director, Northern Continental Europe with effect  from  22
June  2000.  Bert,  previously  Joint Managing  Director  of  our  Netherlands
operations, will assume the responsibilities previously held by his late uncle
Eppe, for the further development of the Group's business in the region.

'The  Board is encouraged with the Group's progress in the current year,  and,
as  stated in the Report and Accounts, we are confident that UOG is now firmly
positioned for profitable growth in the medium term.

'We  look  forward to being able to report a substantially improved result  at
the half year.'

Enquiries:

United Overseas Group PLC
Jeffrey Curtiss, Chief Executive                               01733 362 300
Michael Corke,Group Managing Director                           01733 362 300

Binns & Co Public Relations Ltd
Peter Binns                                                    020 7786 9600