BHP Billiton PLC
19 March 2002


THIS IS A NON REGULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT


19th March 2002

   BHP BILLITON APPOINTS VICE PRESIDENT INVESTOR RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

BHP Billiton, the world's largest diversified natural resources company, today
announced the appointment of Mark Lidiard as Vice President of Investor
Relations and Communications.  Mr Lidiard is presently Head of Investor
Relations at Powergen plc.

Mr Lidiard will be based at the Group's Corporate Centre in London and will
report to Chip Goodyear, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer.

Mr Goodyear said: "Mark is joining at a key time in the evolution of BHP
Billiton. The Group's communications activities are a critical element in
maximising the performance of our organisation.  Major activities for the year
ahead include optimising our communications with our internal and external
constituencies and communicating the unique investment aspects of BHP Billiton
to our worldwide investor base.

"In addition, Mark and his team will be a critical conduit to bring feedback
from our constituencies into the strategic process and management
decision-making at BHP Billiton.  Mark's success at Powergen and his knowledge
of the investment marketplace make him an excellent addition to our team and an
ideal candidate for this position."

Mr Lidiard said: "BHP Billiton has taken a leadership position in a vastly
restructured industry.  The Group's existing position and substantial growth
profile make this an outstanding opportunity.  Communication will be critical to
the overall effectiveness of the organisation. As a global organisation we must
coordinate how we develop and disseminate the important characteristics of BHP
Billiton.  I look forward to working with the team to make this happen."

Mr Lidiard will join BHP Billiton following completion of the acquisition of
Powergen by E.ON.



LIDIARD, Mark T



Vice President Investor Relations and Communications BHP Billiton, 2002



Career



Head of Investor Relations, Powergen plc 2000-02;

Assistant Group Treasurer/Head of Project Finance, Powergen plc 1997-99; Project
Finance Manager, Powergen plc 1995-97; Project Finance Manager, George Wimpey
plc 1992-1994; Analyst, Wimpey Construction Developments 1990-1992; Field
Seismologist, Seismograph Services 1987-1990.



Committees, industry bodies & professional associations



BHP Billiton Investment Review Committee; Member of Investor Relations Society.



Personal



Born: January 12, 1966

Education: CBM, Thames Valley University; BSC (Hons) Physics with Geology,
Southampton University, UK.

Family: Married, two children.

Recreation: Rugby, skiing and theatre.






Australia                                                 United Kingdom/South Africa
Dr Robert Porter, Investor Relations                      Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540       Mobile: +61 419 587 456       Tel: +27 11 376 3360       Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Robert.Porter@bhpbilliton.com                      email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com



Mandy Frostick, Media Relations                           Ariane Gentil, Manager Communications
Tel: +61 3 9609 4157       Mobile: +61 419 546 245        Tel: +44 20 7747 3977     Mobile: + 44 7881 518 715
email: Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com                   email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com



United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625        Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com




BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077                    BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia                                    Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria    Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London WC2N 5HA United Kingdom
3000                                                       Telephone +44 20 7747 3800 Facsimile +44 20 7747 3900
Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015

              The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia





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