BPB is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Ian Gibson CBE as Deputy Chairman with effect from today.

Sir Ian, aged 56, is currently a member of the Court of the Bank of England and a non-executive director of GKN plc, Northern Rock plc and Chelys Ltd. He was formerly chief executive of Nissan Europe NV and senior vice president of Nissan Motor Company (Japan) Ltd, and deputy chairman of Asda Group plc.

He was appointed to the BPB Board as a non-executive director in September 2001 and is presently a member of the management remuneration and development committee and of the nomination committee. He will become chairman of the former on 24 July 2003.

Allan Gormly, who will be 66 in December, continues as Chairman of BPB until the conclusion of BPB's AGM in July 2004, when he will be succeeded by Sir Ian Gibson.

• BPB is the world leader in the supply of plasterboard and gypsum plasters, and a major supplier of insulation, ceiling tiles and related products for internal linings, serving growing markets for building systems in over 50 countries.

  
  

• Group results for the year to 31 March 2003, together with the recommended final dividend, will be announced at 7.00 am on Thursday 22 May 2003.