Michael Corke Appointed Group Managing Director

United Overseas Group PLC
29 November 1999


                    UNITED OVERSEAS GROUP PLC: BOARD CHANGE
                MICHAEL CORKE APPOINTED GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
                                       
United  Overseas  Group plc ('UOG'), one of Europe's largest  distributors  of
excess inventories of branded consumer goods, announces that Michael Corke has
been appointed Group Managing Director with immediate effect.

Mr. Corke, aged 52, joins UOG with 26 years of senior international management
experience  from  working  at two leading corporations:  Hagemeyer  N.V.  (The
Netherlands) and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Hong Kong), where he managed  branded
consumer  products,  marketing and distribution businesses  in  Europe,  North
America and Asia-Pacific.

Robert  Myers,  aged  51,  becomes  UOG Group  Trading  Director,  to  provide
leadership and focus to this key function.  He has been at UOG since 1977.

Commenting  on the appointments, Jeffrey Curtiss, Group Chief Executive  said:
'These  management initiatives, which follow the appointment last August  from
Woolworths plc of Philip Green as Managing Director of United Overseas Limited
(UK),  the   Group's principal UK operating company, further  strengthens  our
senior  management team.  They provide a sound platform for the Group to  move
forward in a positive manner and we are delighted to add a person of Michael's
international experience and calibre.'

He  added:  'Michael  has  proven  experience  in  successfully  restructuring
businesses to improve profitability, and possesses an established track record
of  managing  companies  to  meet growth objectives  and  enhance  shareholder
value.'


For further information, please contact:
Jeffrey Curtiss, Group Chief Executive, United Overseas Group plc
01733 362 300
Peter Binns, Binns & Co PR Ltd
020 7786 9600