Rana Talwar Appointed as Non-Executive Director

Pearson PLC
20 March 2000


RANA TALWAR JOINS PEARSON BOARD

Rana Talwar is today joining the board of Pearson plc, the international media
company, as a non-executive director.

Rana Talwar is Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC, a leading
international bank, with operations in some 50 countries and assets
approaching £55 billion.

Commenting on Mr Talwar's appointment, Dennis Stevenson, chairman of Pearson
plc, said: 'Rana's huge wealth of international business experience -
particularly in North America and Asia Pacific - will be a great asset to the
board as we plot the next stages of Pearson's worldwide growth.  We are
delighted he has agreed to join us.'

Mr Talwar will put himself forward for reappointment to the Pearson board at
the company's Annual General Meeting on May 12th.

Notes to editors:

Rana Talwar joined Standard Chartered in 1997 from Citicorp where he was
Executive Vice President and a member of the Policy Committee.  He was
appointed group CEO on October 1st, 1998.  He is a Governor of the Indian
School of Business and of the London Business School, he holds a BA (Hons)
Degree from St Steven's College, Delhi.


For further information:

John Fallon                     Pearson plc            + 44 171 411 2310