Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone') announces today that John Townsend (42) has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Wireless. John replaces Andy Halford, who will become Vodafone's Group Financial Director following the Annual General Meeting on 26th July 2005.

John Townsend joined Vodafone from KPMG Peat Marwick in May 1993. He has held a number of senior positions within the Group, including Chief Financial Officer of Europolitan Holdings AB in Sweden and Chief Financial Officer of Vodafone Australia, and most recently, Financial Director of Vodafone UK. John becomes Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Wireless with effect from January 2005.

For further information:

Vodafone Group  

Investor Relations
Melissa Stimpson
Darren Jones
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310

Media Relations
Bobby Leach
Ben Padovan
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310

Tavistock Communications

Lulu Bridges
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150