Directorate Change

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC
17 October 2005



ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC
('Arbuthnot' or 'the Group')



APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR



The Board of Arbuthnot is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Jane Lea
(age 58) as a non-executive director with effect from 1 November.



Ruth is a Director of the Centre for Policy Studies.  She is on the University
of London Council and is a Governor of the London School of Economics.  Ruth was
Head of the Policy Unit at the Institute of Directors between 1995 and 2003.
Prior to the IoD, she was the Economics Editor at ITN and before that worked in
the City at Mitsubishi Bank, where she became Chief Economist and subsequently
at Lehman Brothers, as Chief UK Economist.  Her early career was in the Civil
Service including spells at the Treasury and DTI.



Commenting on her appointment, Henry Angest, Chairman and Chief Executive of
Arbuthnot, said:



'We are delighted that Ruth has agreed to join the Arbuthnot board.  She is an
extremely talented individual and her advice will be invaluable.'





                                                                 17 October 2005

Enquiries:


Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC                                020 7012 2400
Henry Angest            Chairman & Chief Executive
Andrew Salmon           Chief Operating Officer

College Hill                                               020 7457 2020
Tony Friend
Richard Pearson




Ruth Lea is also a director of the Centre for Policy Studies Limited.  There is
no other information that is required to be disclosed under Schedule 2,
paragraph (g) of the AIM rules.









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