Chief Executive Statement

Cookson Group PLC
4 May 2000


       EXTRACTS FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S SPEECH
           GIVEN AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


At  the Annual General Meeting of Cookson Group plc  held
today,  the  following statements were  made  by  Stephen
Howard, Group Chief Executive:

'Results  for  the  first  quarter  of  2000  reflect   a
continuation   and   acceleration   of   the   underlying
improvement in the Group's major markets which  began  to
take   hold  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  1999.   As   a
consequence,  Group  pre-tax profit  rose  substantially,
albeit in comparison with a soft first quarter last year.

'For  the  Electronics division, sales  rose  by  18%  in
organic terms over the same period last year, buoyed by a
robust  and  broad-based improvement in  the  electronics
industry.   This  improvement  was  experienced  by   all
sectors   and   in   all   regions   of   the   business.
Significantly,  pricing  was  more  stable  than  in  the
previous  year. Order levels for the division's  assembly
equipment  businesses were up by 45% on the  same  period
last  year  and are now at record levels.   The  recently
acquired  Enthone  business  performed  as  expected  and
integration plans are well advanced.

'The steel industry continued to improve and global steel
production rose by 12% in comparison with the same period
last  year.   As  a consequence, the performance  of  the
steel  related activities of the Ceramics division, which
constitute   approximately  two-thirds  of   the   total,
improved significantly.  This recovery was experienced in
all  regions,  other  than in  the  UK  where  the  steel
industry continues to be depressed.  Demand for the Glass
sector's   major   product  range  remained   weak,   but
conditions in the Foundry and Industrial Products  sector
began to show signs of improvement towards the end of the
quarter.   The  integration of  the  Premier  acquisition
remains on track, with the anticipated financial benefits
beginning to be realised.

'In the Precious Metals division, overall performance was
in line with expectations.   The Jewellery business had a
slow  start,  but  the results of the Precision  Products
sector  were well up on last year consistent with  strong
growth   achieved  by  the  electronics  and   automotive
industries in the USA.

'The  divestment  programme announced to shareholders  in
March  of this year is on track.  The disposals of NEPTCO
and FOCAS for US$153 million (£98 million) were announced
earlier   today.    The  proceeds  received   for   these
businesses,  together with the retention of the  revenue-
sharing arrangement with ELI Inc, make these transactions
particularly   attractive.   Discussions  regarding   the
disposal of Cookson Plastic Mouldings are underway.

'The   Group  has  recently  raised  $400  million  (£255
million)  in borrowings by way of a private placement  in
the USA at attractive terms. These borrowings, which have
an average life of ten years, will be utilised to replace
short-term  debt.   The  Group  has  now  locked  in  the
majority of its borrowings at an interest rate marginally
above  6%  for the next 2-3 years.  We believe that  this
financing provides competitive long-term funding for  the
Group.

'The outlook for the second quarter of 2000 is good, with
the  trading conditions experienced in the first  quarter
likely to remain in place.'

For further information contact:

Stephen Howard                Dennis Millard
Group Chief Executive         Group Finance Director
Cookson Group plc             Cookson Group plc
London WC2N 6HJ               London WC2N 6HJ
Tel:  [phone]           Tel:  [phone]
Fax: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]      e-mail: [e-mail]