London - (LSE: RTR, Nasdaq: RTRSY) The Board of Reuters Group has appointed Niall FitzGerald KBE as Chairman of Reuters to succeed Sir Christopher Hogg with effect from 1 October 2004. Sir Christopher announced last year that he hoped that his successor would be named before the 2004 Reuters Annual General Meeting.

Niall FitzGerald has been a non-executive director of Reuters since 1 January 2003.

He has been Chairman and Chief Executive of Unilever since 1996. He announced last month his intention to step down from those roles on 30 September 2004.

Sir John Craven has also announced that he will stand down as a director at this year's AGM. Dick Olver will become senior independent non-executive director.

Niall FitzGerald has worked for Unilever for thirty-seven years. He has previously been a non-executive director of Merck, Ericsson, Bank of Ireland and the Prudential Corporation. He is also currently chairman of the Conference Board, president of the Advertising Association, co-chair of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue and a member of the Foundation Board of The World Economic Forum.

Sir Christopher Hogg said that he was delighted that the Board had chosen Mr FitzGerald to succeed him. "I warmly welcome Niall to the chair of what is both a fine company and a great global brand. I am totally confident that Reuters strategy is matched by its ability to implement its plans".

The company's chief executive, Tom Glocer, paid tribute to Sir Christopher. "In his 18 years as chairman he has guided Reuters through many very good years and some challenging ones, but his judgment, intelligence and strong moral compass have inspired us all. He has stayed in the chair when it would have been far easier for him personally to retire and he has provided me with wise counsel and support.

"I am delighted that he will be succeeded by an international business leader of such standing. All of us at Reuters are excited about Niall's appointment".

Ends

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Niall Fitzgerald biography

Niall FitzGerald has been Joint Chairman and CEO of Unilever since 1st September 1996.

Born on 13th September 1945, Niall FitzGerald studied at University College, Dublin, where he graduated with a degree in commerce. Thirty years with Unilever have been spent in a variety of jobs and in several countries. His early career was on the Commercial and Financial side of the business. In the early 1980's he became CEO of Unilever's foods business in South Africa and thereafter returned to London as Unilever Treasurer.

Niall FitzGerald joined the Boards of Unilever PLC and Unilever NV in 1987 and has served respectively as Financial Director, Foods Director and Detergents Director until his appointment as Vice Chairman and subsequently Chairman & CEO in 1996. During his Unilever career, he has worked and lived in Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, USA and the UK.

Outside Unilever, he joined the board of Reuters as a non-executive director on 1 January 2003. Other activities include President of the Advertising Association, Chairman of the Conference Board, Co-Chairman of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), Member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum, Member of the International Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign Relations, Trustee of The Leverhulme Trust, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He also serves on the US Business Council and the International Business Council. He is a member of various advisory bodies, including the President of South Africa's International Investment Advisory Council and the Shanghai Mayor's International Business Leaders' Council.

His former appointments include: Non-Executive Directorships of Merck, Ericsson, Bank of Ireland and the Prudential Corporation, member of the Accounting Standards Review Committee, member of the Finance and Industry Committee of the NEDC, and member of the International Policy Council for Agriculture and Trade.

Niall FitzGerald has four children: Tara - a journalist, Colin - events marketing, Aaron - music promotion and the most recent arrival, Gabriella (born in April 2001). His active interests include jazz and opera, collecting antique furniture, paintings, sculptures and Irish stamps. He is a sports enthusiast with a particular passion for Manchester United and Irish Rugby. He plays golf poorly and runs slowly!

Niall FitzGerald, an Irish citizen, was awarded an honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire in the 2002 New Year's Honours