RNS Number:3621N
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
09 July 2003



Board Change



The Board of Directors of Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announced that it has today
accepted Ludger Staby's resignation from his position as a Non-Executive
Director of the Company and from the Supervisory Board of Reemtsma.  Given that
it cannot be excluded that the German customs investigation might eventually
bring up a conflict of interest between Mr Staby's former responsibilities and
his current position on the Board of Imperial Tobacco, Mr Staby and the Board
believe it is appropriate that Mr Staby steps down.



Mr Staby was Chief Executive of Tchibo Holding AG, the company from which
Imperial Tobacco acquired Reemtsma in May 2002. He was also Chief Executive of
Reemtsma until 1998 but is not under investigation by the German customs
authorities.

ENDS



Enquiries


Alex Parsons                                         office   +44 (0)117 933 7241
Group Media Relations Manager


Nicola Lindsay                                       office   +44 (0)117 933 7082
Investor Relations Manager







www.imperial-tobacco.com


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