Chairman's Statement

BICC PLC
9 May 2000

BICC plc
AGM STATEMENT
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Reporting to shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting, Chairman,
Lord Weir, said:

'Ladies and gentlemen, as is usual I would like to take this opportunity to
update you on progress this year.

'Generally, our businesses have started the year in line with our budgets and
expectations.  I would make the point that, as always, we have prudent
accounting policies which recognise the timing of completions and the
achievement of contract milestones, so as to determine the point at which we
can recognise profit for our project work.  Our current analysis of the
relevant data for 2000 suggests that Group profits will, therefore, be higher
in the second half-year than the first.

'I would remind you that this is the last meeting of the Company as BICC.  As
of tomorrow, we officially become Balfour Beatty plc.  Whatever nostalgia or
sadness some of us may feel at the loss of the BICC name, we all know that
Balfour Beatty is also a proud name and second to none in the engineering,
construction and services industry.

'We have already made good progress in reducing overhead costs to reflect the
simpler structure which the Group now has, and this process continues.

'This year has been an eventful one so far.  We disposed of Brand-Rex data
cables at a very satisfactory price.  We told shareholders at the time that we
would use the funds released in three ways: to build up our main business
activities, particularly in rail; to buy in shares; and to exploit further
business opportunities which we believe will emerge.  We have already made
good progress in all these directions.

'On 10 April, we announced the acquisition of the Marta and Metroplex rail
engineering companies in the United States, reinforcing our presence in an
important and promising market.  We have made a modest start to our share
purchase programme.  Finally, we are currently in active discussions regarding
several other opportunities.

'As I have previously stated, we are well placed in our four principal
businesses: building, building management and services; civil and specialist
engineering and services; rail engineering and services; and investments and
developments.  We have strong finances, a prudent and determined management
team and excellent prospects.  We are confident in the future.'