RNS Number:7151Q
Qualceram Shires PLC
09 October 2003

                     Qualceram Shires' Chairman Retires and
                     Appointment of Non-executive Director



Qualceram Shires plc, the manufacturer and distributor of bathroom ceramics has
today (Thursday 9 October 2003) announced the retirement of the Group's
non-executive Chairman, Mr Sean Henneberry.



Mr. Henneberry was appointed to the Board of Qualceram Shires as non-executive
Chairman in April  1997.  His retirement will take effect from 31 December 2003.



Mr. Peter Addison, a corporate financier formerly with Insinger English Trust
has been appointed as a non-executive Director with immediate effect and will
become non-executive Chairman on 31 December 2003.



Peter Addison, aged 61, qualified as a solicitor in the UK in 1966 and
specialised in company and commercial law.  In 1982 he became a director of
English Trust Group plc, the corporate advisory bank, and, since then, has been
involved providing corporate finance advice to public companies both in Ireland
and in the UK on all aspects of their businesses. He advised on the flotation of
the Company in 1997.  In the year 2000 he became a director - corporate finance
of Insinger de Beaufort Corporate Finance Limited, the Company's financial
adviser. He retired from Insinger de Beaufort in May 2003.



Commenting, Mr. John O'Loughlin, Chief Executive of Qualceram Shires plc said: "
On behalf of my Board colleagues, I wish the Chairman well in his retirement.
Sean proved his worth as an advisor and close friend of the senior management
team over the past seven years. His advice during the acquisition and subsequent
reorganisation of the Shires Group was especially significant. Equally, I
welcome the appointment of his replacement, Peter Addison.  Peter brings with
him a wealth of experience and will be a strong asset to the Board and senior
management team going forward."



The following are details of all current and former directorships in the
previous five years held by Peter Addison:



Full Name: Gerald Peter Lacy Addison

Current Directorships                                Former Directorships

IAF Group plc                                        English Trust Group plc

                                                     English Trust Group Limited

                                                     English Trust Company Limited

                                                     Insinger de Beaufort (Corporate
                                                     Finance) Limited

                                                     English Shareholders Nominees
                                                     Limited



There are no further details to be disclosed under paragraph 6.F.2 of the
Listing Rules.



ENDS

Thursday 9 October 2003



Issued on behalf of Qualceram Shires plc by Drury Communications, contact Paddy
Hughes at +353 1 260 5000 or +353 87 616 7811



For reference:

Aidan Clince                                         John O'Loughlin
Company Secretary                                    Chief Executive
Qualceram Shires plc                                 Qualceram Shires plc
Tel: +353 402 31288                                  Tel: +353 402 31288

www.qualceram-shires.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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