Directorate Change

Whitbread PLC
14 April 2005

14th April 2005


                        WHITBREAD APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

Whitbread PLC announces that it has appointed Anthony Habgood as Chairman
Designate.   He will take over the role of Chairman from Sir John Banham when he
retires from the Whitbread PLC Board in August 2005.

Sir John who will be 65 in August, has been a director of Whitbread for six
years and Chairman for five years.  He has decided to retire from the Board
having successfully overseen the transformation of Whitbread to be the leading
hospitality company in the UK.

Anthony Habgood, 58, is currently Chairman of Bunzl PLC.   Prior to joining
Bunzl PLC he was at Tootal Group PLC for 5 years and before that spent 16 years
with Boston Consulting Group Inc.  He is also a non executive director of Marks
& Spencer plc and SVG Capital plc.

Anthony Habgood will remain as Chairman of Bunzl PLC.  It is anticipated that
following the demerger of its Filtrona business Bunzl PLC will no longer be part
of the FTSE 100 index.

Sir John Banham, Chairman, Whitbread PLC said: 'An exciting new chapter in
Whitbread's history is opening and this is the right time for a new Chairman to
join.  I am delighted that Tony has agreed to become our Chairman.  He brings to
the role a wealth of relevant experience and a great track record in creating
shareholder value'.

Alan Parker, Chief Executive, Whitbread PLC added: 'I would like to thank Sir
John for his enormous contribution to the company over the last six years which
has seen substantial growth in total shareholder returns.

'Whitbread is in good shape for the future.  We have a strong platform to build
upon in the three sectors of the leisure and hospitality market where we have
leading positions: budget hotels, restaurants and health and fitness clubs.  I
am looking forward to working with Tony to deliver our strategy'.

Anthony Habgood will join the Whitbread Board on 1st May 2005 as a non-executive
director before assuming the role of Chairman on 1st August 2005.


For more information please contact:

Investor Relations:
Dan Waugh, Whitbread PLC                            [phone]
                                                    [phone] (m)
Press Contacts:

Anna Glover, Whitbread PLC                          [phone] (m)
Julie Weldon, Whitbread PLC                         [phone]



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