RNS Number:2244O
Abbot Group PLC
01 August 2003

                                                                   1 August 2003


                           Abbot Appoints New Director


The Abbot Group is the largest offshore platform drilling contractor in the UK
sector of the North Sea, one of the largest international land drilling
operators outside North America, and a world leader in drilling rig design,
construction and operation.


Abbot Group plc ("Abbot"), the international drilling services provider,
announces that Robert ("Robbie") A Duncan, aged 53, has the joined the board as
a non-executive director, with immediate effect.


Robbie Duncan joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers (formerly Coopers & Lybrand) in 1972
following his graduation from Edinburgh University as a Bachelor of Commerce
(B.Com) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1975. In 1979 Robbie joined
Shell UK Exploration and Production and subsequently held several financial
appointments in the oil and gas industry.


From 1986 until his retirement in 2003 he was an executive director at First
plc, during which time the company grew substantially in size through various
acquisitions and mergers creating the UK's largest bus group. Initially
appointed as Finance Director at First plc, Robbie subsequently undertook the
positions of Regional Director and Business Change Director as well as spending
time as Acting President of US Operations in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1991 Robbie
was awarded Scottish Financial Director of the Year.


Alasdair Locke, Chairman of Abbot, said: "I am pleased to welcome Robbie to the
board, he brings with him a wealth of experience from both within and out-with
the oil and gas industry which, given his financial background, will be of great
benefit to the Group."



For further information:
Michael Salter                 Jeremy Carey
Abbot Group plc                Tavistock Communications Limited
Tel: 01224 299 600             Tel: 020 7600 2288



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