Appointment of New Chairman

Hammerson PLC
28 February 2005

Hammerson - Appointment of John Nelson as Chairman

Hammerson plc announces that Ronald Spinney will retire as Chairman on 30
September 2005 and will be succeeded by John Nelson.

Ronald Spinney joined the Board as Chief Executive of Hammerson in April 1993
and was appointed Chairman in October 1999.

John Nelson joined the Board as a non-executive director in May 2004. He was
formerly Chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) and Vice Chairman of
Lazard Brothers, having started his career with Kleinwort Benson. He is Deputy
Chairman of Kingfisher plc and a non-executive director of BT Group plc.

Hammerson also announces that Graham Pimlott will be standing down from the
Board on  31 December 2005. He joined the Board as a non-executive director in
September 1993 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in 2000, in which capacity he
acts as senior independent director. An announcement regarding the appointment
of a senior independent director to succeed Graham Pimlott will be made later in
the year.

Commenting, Ronald Spinney said:

' In 2004, I indicated to the Board my intention to retire in Autumn 2005. A
process to find my successor was initiated which considered both internal and
external candidates. I am delighted at the choice of John Nelson, an existing
non-executive director. He knows and understands Hammerson well. In addition, he
has a depth of experience as a senior banker and from his non-executive
directorships of other major companies, which will be of great value to
Hammerson and its Board.

'I would also like to place on record my appreciation to Graham Pimlott for his
wise counsel and significant contribution to Hammerson over many years.'

John Richards, Chief Executive, said:

' In Ron Spinney's twelve years at Hammerson, first as Chief Executive and then
as Chairman, the Company has been transformed and earned a reputation as one of
Europe's most respected property companies. Ron arrived at Hammerson at a
difficult time and it was his drive and energy, more than anything else, that
put it back on a growth track. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank him
for all he has done for Hammerson.'

From 1 October 2005 the Board will comprise:

John Nelson               -  Non-executive Chairman
John Richards             -  Chief Executive
Simon Melliss             -  Group Finance Director
John Bywater              -  Managing Director, UK
Peter Cole                -  Managing Director, Group Investment and Development
Gerard Devaux             -  Managing Director, Continental Europe
Graham Pimlott            -  Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director
John Barton               -  Non-Executive Director
John Clare                -  Non-Executive Director
David Edmonds             -  Non-Executive Director
John Hirst                -  Non-Executive Director


Further information:

Ronald Spinney                                               Tel:  [phone]
Chairman

John Richards                                                Tel: [phone]
Chief Executive

Christopher Smith                                            Tel: [phone]
Director of Corporate Affairs                            [e-mail]

NOTES TO EDITORS

Ronald Spinney

Ronald Spinney, aged 63, was appointed Chairman in 1999, having joined Hammerson
as Chief Executive in 1993. He is Chairman of the Nomination Committee. He is a
Crown Estate Commissioner, Chairman of Hanover Property Unit Trust Investment
Advisory Committee, Deputy Chairman of Rentokil Initial plc, a non-executive
director of Fuller Smith & Turner plc and Homestyle Group plc and Chairman of
London First Centre.

John Nelson

John Nelson, aged 57, joined the Board on 1 May 2004 and is member of the
Remuneration Committee. He is Deputy Chairman of Kingfisher plc and a
non-executive director of BT Group plc. He was formerly Chairman of Credit
Suisse First Boston (Europe) and Vice Chairman of Lazard Brothers, having
started his career with Kleinwort Benson. He is a member of the Board of English
National Opera.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange