Senior Management Appointment

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC 12 January 2004 James Fisher and Sons plc ('James Fisher') Senior Management Appointment James Fisher, the marine services provider, today announces the appointment of Simon Harris as the key commercial executive to head up its expansion into MoD support services. This will take effect from 1 March 2004 when he becomes Commercial Director, James Fisher (Shipping Services) Limited. Tim Harris, Chairman of James Fisher, commented: 'We are delighted to have attracted another high calibre manager with a successful track record, in a sector with considerable importance to the Group's development. As stated, further growing our business in the MoD environment is one of the key elements to our strategy. Simon's appointment should strengthen our business relationship and add further fire power.' Simon Harris (42) joins James Fisher from Houlder Limited, a marine and offshore service company, where he has worked for nine years acting as Operations Director since 1999. This has involved extensive marketing of services to the MoD and execution of marine related contracts. Of particular note, he was Project Director of the AWSR consortium (of which James Fisher is a 25% shareholder) managing the Strategic Sealift PFI negotiations and bringing the project to fruition. AWSR concluded a long-term contract for the supply of six RoRo ships, now delivered, for use in Strategic Sealift service until 2024 and AWSR made a first time contribution to marine support services in 2002. Prior to these positions, Simon fulfilled a number of technical posts including training as a Naval Architect in the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors. ENDS For further information contact Tim Harris James Fisher and Sons 020 7338 5808 Angus Buchanan James Fisher and Sons 020 7338 5808 Peter Binns/Paul McManus Binns & Co PR Ltd 020 7786 9600 Editor's note: James Fisher's business is structured into three divisions: Tankships, Marine Support Services and Cable Layers. Marine Support Services now accounts for 39% of James Fisher's operating profits and it is the Company's strategy to grow this business both organically and by acquisition. James Fisher's Marine Support Services division provides technical and marine expertise to the most exacting of customers - the MoD, the oil and gas industries and other governmental bodies. James Fisher already has an established relationship with the Ministry of Defence: RFA Oakleaf • a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship owned by James Fisher, is under long-term charter to the Royal Navy RAF Sealand • a stores and logistics depot for the RAF in Chester, is operated by James Fisher AWSR • a Strategic Sealift PFI Joint Venture for six military RoRo vessels. James Fisher holds a 25% stake in the Joint Venture James Fisher Rumic Ltd • has a long-term contract with the Royal Navy to manage, maintain and operate the UK Submarine Rescue System based in Glasgow. • operates a marine maintenance service for the Royal Navy in Plymouth. James Fisher MIMIC Ltd • supplies maintenance and related asset management services to the Royal Navy Simon Harris is no relation of Tim Harris, the Company Chairman. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange USLSEIF