For the Date of 16 March 2004

BHP Billiton Plc

Registration Number 3196209

Neathouse Place

London SW1V 1BH

United Kingdom

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

BHP Billiton announced today the appointment of Rebecca McDonald as President Gas and Power and a member of the BHP Billiton Executive Committee. In this role Ms McDonald will have responsibility for the development and implementation of BHP Billiton's gas marketing and commercialisation strategy and will report to Phil Aiken, Group President Energy.

Ms McDonald has over 20 years experience in the energy industry, including from 1993 to 1995 as Group Vice President, Amoco Corporation, responsible for Amoco's world-wide natural gas commercialisation and North American natural gas liquids business, and from 1995 to 1999 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Amoco Energy Development Corporation, responsible for the development of equity interests in international natural gas and power production operations. Most recently, Ms McDonald was employed as President, Houston Museum of Natural Science and prior to this was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enron Global Assets, responsible for the growth and operations of their asset portfolio throughout Asia, Africa and South America.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Aiken said: "We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to BHP Billiton's management team. Rebecca's knowledge of the oil and gas markets throughout the world is ideal for this role as we further develop our gas marketing and commercialisation strategy in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region."

Ms McDonald is due to take up her appointment on 29 March 2004.

Biographical details of Ms McDonald are attached.

Ms Rebecca McDonald

Rebecca McDonald was appointed President Gas and Power and a member of the BHP Billiton Executive Committee on 16 March 2004.

Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Ms McDonald served as President of the Houston Museum of Natural Science having been on the board of trustees for a period of five years.

From 1999 to May 2001, Ms McDonald, as Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Enron Global Assets, was responsible for the development, construction and operation of Enron's asset portfolio throughout Asia, Africa and South America. These operations included natural gas and liquids pipelines, gas and electricity distribution companies, power plant and gas processing facilities.

From June 1993 to February 1999, Ms McDonald was employed by Amoco Corporation, initially as Group Vice President, responsible for Amoco's natural gas commercialisation world-wide, North American natural gas liquids business and establishing their North America trading operations. In 1995, Ms McDonald was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Amoco Energy Development Company and added to her responsibilities the development of equity interests in international natural gas and power operations. During her time at Amoco, Ms McDonald oversaw the completion of more that US$10 billion of projects world-wide.

Ms McDonald started her career in the energy industry in 1981. Ms McDonald currently serves as an independent director for Granite Construction Company, Trammell Crow Company, Eagle Global Logistics and Noble Energy, Inc.

President, Houston Museum of Natural Science 2001-2004; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Enron Global Assets 1999-2001; President and Chief Executive Officer, Amoco Energy Development Company 1995-1999; Group Vice President, Amoco Corporation 1993-1995; President, Tenneco Energy Services 1991-1993; Vice President Strategic Planning, Tenneco Gas Company 1990-1991; Vice President and General Manager, Panhandle Trading Company 1983-1990; Panhandle Eastern 1980-1983; Fluor Corporation 1974-1979.

Bachelor of Science, Stephen F. Austin University, USA

JP MorganChase, Regional Advisory Board

Served on the U.S. Clean Air Act Advisory Committee

Married, one child.