Date issued: 24 Nov 2004

NATIONWIDE APPOINTMENTS

Nationwide Building Society has announced that Geoffrey Howe and Derek Ross are joining its Board as non-executive directors. Derek Ross will join the Board on 1 December 2004 and Geoffrey Howe will join the Board on 1 January 2005.

Geoffrey Howe spent most of his career at Clifford Chance including nine years as its managing partner. He was subsequently a director and general counsel of Robert Fleming and has in recent years held several non-executive positions, including as Chairman of Railtrack plc. Derek Ross' career has been with Deloitte & Touche where he has been a senior partner for the last 18 years.

In addition, the Society announced that Stella David will retire from the Board at the end of March 2005 following her move to the United States to become president of Bacardi USA.

Jonathan Agnew, Nationwide chairman, said: "I should like to thank Stella for her valuable contribution to the Board and wish her well in her new role in the US. I am delighted to welcome Geoffrey and Derek to the Board and believe that their extensive experience will be of great value to Nationwide".