Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge has announced his intention to retire as chairman of British Airways at the close of the company’s next annual general meeting on July 20, 2004.

He joined the company as chief executive in February, 1983, became chairman and chief executive in 1993 and then part-time chairman in 1996.

Lord Marshall will be succeeded as chairman next July by Martin Broughton, 56, currently senior independent director. In preparation for this change, the board of British Airways has appointed him deputy chairman, with immediate effect.

Martin Broughton, currently chairman of British American Tobacco, joined the airline’s Board in 2000 and chairs its audit committee, as well as serving on the nominations, remuneration and safety review committees.

At the same time, British Airways has appointed Alison Reed as a non-executive director effective December 1, 2003. Mrs. Reed, 46, is group finance director of Marks and Spencer plc and a non-executive board member of HSBC Bank PLC.

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