Appointment of new Chief Executive and Chairman

22 September 2002

                                Mothercare plc                                 

                Appointment of New Chief Executive and Chairman                

Mothercare today announced that it has appointed Ben Gordon as the new Chief
Executive.  Ben Gordon will take up the role later this year.

Ben Gordon (43) joins the Company from The Walt Disney Company, where he was
Managing Director, Disney Store - Europe & Asia Pacific, based in London. 
Prior to that, Ben held senior management roles at WH Smith PLC and L'Oreal SA.

During his career to date, Ben Gordon:

* successfully led the growth of Disney Store in Europe, significantly
improving profitability over the last three years,

*  increased profitability of WHSmith Europe Travel Retail, which comprises
stores at stations and airports, through an extensive refurbishment programme
and the successful integration of part of John Menzies' store portfolio,
acquired by WHSmith in 1998.

Commenting today, Ian Peacock, Non-executive director, Mothercare, said:

'We are delighted that Ben Gordon is joining Mothercare.  Ben is a highly
skilled retailer and marketeer with an excellent track record of addressing
underperformance and building businesses. We look forward to working with him
to turn the business around and to deliver sustained growth over the longer
term.'

Commenting also, Ben Gordon, said:

'This is a great opportunity as I believe in the fundamental strength of the
Mothercare brand. While I do not underestimate the challenge ahead, I look
forward to driving the recovery and ensuring the brand realises its full
potential for customers and shareholders alike.'

Mothercare also announces that Ian Peacock, who was appointed Non-executive
director in August 2002, will take up the role of Chairman on 1 November 2002.

In addition, Mark McMenemy will relinquish his role as interim Chief Executive,
which he has held since the departure of Chris Martin in July 2002.   

A trading update will be issued on 15 October 2002 following the end of the
first half of the financial year.

See Notes to Editors

Enquires to:

Brunswick         020 7404 5059
                               
Susan Gilchrist   07974 982 301
                               
Philippa Power    07974 982 333
                               

Notes to Editors

1. Ben Gordon

2000 -  Managing Director, Disney Store - Europe and Asia Pacific          
                                                                           
to date Responsible for 130 stores in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Hong   
        Kong and Australia and approximately 3,500 employees               
                                                                           
        Successfully grew the business and increased profitability over    
        three years                                                        
                                                                           
1998    Managing Director, WHSmith Direct and Member of Executive Committee
-99                                                                        
        Developed WHSmith.co.uk                                            
                                                                           
1998-99 Managing Director, WHSmith Europe Travel Retail                    
                                                                           
        Implemented refurbishment programme                                
                                                                           
        Integrated part of John Menzies' store portfolio into the Travel   
        Retail business, following acquisition in 1998                     
                                                                           
1995-97 Chief Operating Officer, WHSmith Inc. Atlanta                      
                                                                           
        Responsible for Hotel Retail division                              
                                                                           
        Successfully developed new markets                                 
                                                                           
1993-95 Senior VP, Marketing & Buying, WHSmith Inc. Atlanta                
                                                                           
        Led the team which won a major retail contract at Los Angeles      
        airport                                                            
                                                                           
        Developed specialty brands for both the US airport and hotel       
        divisions                                                          
                                                                           
1990-93 Corporate Development Manager, WHSmith Group                       
                                                                           
1989-90 Senior Product Manager, Ambre Solaire - L'Oreal SA                 
                                                                           
1988-89 Product Manager, Lancome Skincare, Paris - L'Oreal SA              
                                                                           
1984-87 Project Manager, Costain International                             
                                                                           
1982-84 Graduate Engineer, Binnie & Partners                               
                                                                           

2. Ian Peacock

Current  Non-executive Chairman of MFI                                     
Roles                                                                      
         Non-executive director of i-document systems                      
                                                                           
         Non-executive director of Lombard Risk Management                 
                                                                           
         Non-executive director of Norwich and Peterborough Building       
         Society                                                           
                                                                           
Previous A number of senior management positions in the banking industry in
roles    London, New York and Asia including BZW and Kleinwort Benson. From
         1998 to 2000, Ian Peacock was a special adviser to the Bank of    
         England