RNS Number:7497J
London Stock Exchange Plc
08 April 2003
                                                                    8 April 2003
                                                                           04/03


       DR CHRIS GIBSON-SMITH APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE


London Stock Exchange plc announced today that Dr Chris Gibson-Smith has been
appointed as its next Chairman.

Dr Gibson-Smith is currently Chairman of National Air Traffic Services (NATS)
Limited, a post he took up after being a managing director at BP plc. He is a
non-executive director of Lloyds TSB Group plc and British Land plc.

He will join the Exchange Board from 1 May and will succeed the current
Chairman, Don Cruickshank, when his term of office concludes at the end of the
Exchange's Annual General Meeting in July.

Announcing Dr Gibson-Smith's appointment, Don Cruickshank said:

"Chris Gibson-Smith brings real depth of very relevant experience on an
international stage. His insights and leadership skills will be invaluable to
the Exchange. He is extremely well qualified to lead the Board, and to support
the executive team led by Chief Executive Clara Furse."

Welcoming the appointment, Clara Furse said:

"I am delighted to welcome Chris Gibson-Smith to the Exchange. His international
commercial experience and strategic acumen will help us to strengthen our
position as the world's most global exchange business. I am very much looking
forward to working with him."

Dr Chris Gibson-Smith said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Exchange at a time when it has transformed
itself into a successful company in increasingly competitive markets. The
quality of its markets is internationally recognised. I look forward to working
with Clara and her team to help them to realise the tremendous potential of the
business in the United Kingdom, in Europe and worldwide."


                                    - Ends -


For further information, please contact:

Nick Gammage             +44 (0)20 7797 1222
John Wallace


Notes To Editors

Dr Chris Gibson-Smith - Biographical Note:

Currently:

2001 -         Chairman, National Air Traffic Services
1999 -         Non-Executive Director, Lloyds TSB Group plc
2003 -         Non-Executive Director, British Land Company plc

Previously:

1970 - 2001 BP plc:

Group Managing Director from 1997 - one of five Group Managing Directors
reporting to the Chief Executive, Sir John Browne.  Reporting to him were three
regional directors, covering Asia and Africa.  He was responsible for seven
functional teams including: Technology (Group Technology, Engineering and
Operating Strategies. Capital budget #8 - 10 billion per annum); IT (global
programmes and contracts, #1.5 billion per annum revenue and capital spend); and
Global Government Relations, HR and Public Affairs.

His early career included being Chief Operating Officer of BP Chemicals 
(#7 billion revenues) and CEO of BP Exploration Europe.

2001 - 2002 Non-Executive Director, Powergen UK plc

Education:

Durham University           - BSc Geology

Newcastle University        - PhD Geochemistry

Stanford Business School    - MS Business Science

Chris Gibson-Smith (57) is a Trustee of both the Institute for Public Policy
Research, and the arts charity Arts and Business. His hobbies include skiing,
golf, music and the arts. He is married with two children.

There are no matters to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph 16.4(b) of the
Listing Rules


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