NEWBURY, U.K. -- Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone") announces today that, upon the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2006 ("AGM"), John Buchanan will become Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Company's Senior Independent Director, in succession to Paul Hazen who has decided to retire from the Board. John Buchanan, aged 62, has been a member of the Vodafone Board since April 2003 and is a member of the Audit Committee. He retired from BP plc in 2002 after six years as Group Chief Financial Officer and executive director following a wide-ranging career with the company. He is Chairman of Smith & Nephew plc and a non-executive director of AstraZeneca PLC and BHP Billiton.

Paul Hazen has been a member of the Vodafone Board since June 1999 and became Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director in May 2000. He has served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Nominations & Governance Committee.

Vodafone also announces that Penny Hughes, a non-executive director since September 1998, has decided not to seek re-election at the AGM and to retire from the Board. She served on the Remuneration Committee between 2000 and 2005, becoming its Chairman in 2001, and is a member of the Audit Committee.

Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, DL, Chairman of Vodafone, commented, "Paul Hazen has served with distinction as a non-executive director since 1999 and we thank him for his contribution, particularly as a long-serving Chairman of our Audit Committee. Penny Hughes has been a fine, active non-executive director and did an exceptional job for Vodafone when chairing our Remuneration Committee. Her contribution cannot be overstated and I wish her well in the future. The Board is delighted that John Buchanan has accepted the role of Deputy Chairman. Together with Sir John Bond, my successor, I am confident that the leadership of the Board of Vodafone is in good hands".

Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD)