Directorate Change

Unite Group PLC
16 March 2006



Date:                     16th March 2006

On behalf of:             UNITE Group plc ('UNITE' or 'the Company')

Embargoed until:          0700hrs



The UNITE Group plc
Board Changes

The Board of The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading student hospitality company,
today announces its decision to appoint Mark Allan as Chief Executive with
effect from the end of 2006.  Mark, currently UNITE's Chief Financial Officer
will replace Nicholas Porter who has decided to step down at the end of the year
and into the new role of non-executive Deputy Chairman. The appointment of a new
CFO will be announced in due course.

Mark, 33, joined UNITE as Corporate Finance Director in 1999 from KPMG, becoming
the Group's Commercial Director and a member of the Operations Board in 2001. He
joined the Group Board as CFO in November 2003. Over the past three years Mark
has worked very closely with Nicholas in developing the Group's strategy and
vision and establishing operational plans to deliver that vision.  Since his
appointment as CFO, Mark has led the development and execution of the Group's
investment and financing strategy, whilst also leading the team developing 
UNITE's future systems platform.

Nicholas, 36, founded UNITE in 1991.  In June 1999 UNITE was listed on AIM,
moving to the Official List in April 2000.  UNITE was elevated to the FTSE 250
index in June 2005.

Commenting on his decision, Nicholas Porter said:

'As Founder and Chief Executive of UNITE I am immensely proud of everything we
have achieved over the years. We have proven our business model, established a
new asset class and developed a sustainable business platform to capitalise on
our significant market opportunities. Having built an exceptional management
team, I have decided that the time is right, both for me and for the business,
to step down and in the future to pursue other commercial and charitable
interests, whilst continuing to provide focused support to the Company as
non-executive Deputy Chairman. I am delighted that the Board has chosen Mark as
my successor from the end of the year to lead our team into UNITE's next
exciting phase.'

Commenting on the announcement, Geoffrey Maddrell, Chairman of UNITE, said:

'On behalf of the Board and all the stakeholders in UNITE, I would like to pay
tribute to the phenomenal amount that has been achieved in the period since Nick
founded UNITE in 1991.  I am very pleased that Nick will continue to play an
important role as non-executive Deputy Chairman, following an orderly transition
of his current role to Mark.   In his new role, Nick will continue to provide
valuable input to the business with particular focus on targeted support for our
development teams and through his extensive network of contacts in the Higher
Education sector.

'In reaching its decision to appoint Nick's successor, the nominations committee
of the Board, advised by external consultants, set out clear parameters for the
Chief Executive's role and conducted a rigorous selection process. The Board was
unanimous in its decision to appoint Mark as Nick's successor. UNITE's mission,
strategic focus on customers, people and shareholders and the Group's embedded
values will remain absolutely constant under Mark's leadership.

'Today UNITE announced another set of strong annual results. Having established
its core principles and strategy, these Board changes ensure that the Group will
be able to continue to build on its strong foundations as the UK's leading
student hospitality provider.'

- Ends -

Enquiries to:

UNITE
Nick Porter / Mark Allan                                0117 302 7112

Redleaf Communications
Emma Kane/Wendy Timmons                                 020 7955 1410

Notes to Editors:

•  UNITE is the UK's number one student hospitality company with 31,000 beds in 
   29 cities.

•  The Group focuses on the provision and management of high
   quality, well-located student accommodation and hospitality services at
   affordable prices in strong higher education markets. UNITE undertakes the
   planning work, development and management of sites, often working closely 
   with the Universities and Colleges to deliver accommodation for students 
   across all ages and nationalities.

•  Led by strong values at its heart, UNITE delivers the real student 
   experience.

•  Further information on UNITE is available on the Company's website: 
   www.unite-group.co.uk


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