KCA DEUTAG, the international drilling and engineering contractor, declares the appointment of four non-executive independent directors.

Peter Bloxham, Bob Ellis, Chris Hughes and Dean Merritt have joined the group as board directors with immediate effect.

Mr Bloxham, 58, was a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer from 1983 to 2006, focusing on financial transactions and restructurings. He established the firm's Restructuring Group and led the global group until May 2006, gaining wide ranging experience. He worked on many high profile projects such as British Energy, Enron and Eurotunnel. Previous work includes 18 months as designated 'Policyholder Advocate' in connection with a proposed restructuring of the with-profits funds of UK's Prudential Assurance Company.

Mr Ellis, 59, has a long track record in restructuring stretching over nearly twenty years. His recent work includes chairing both 20:20 Mobile and Anglian Group as they undertook restructuring programmes, and leading refinancing projects at Audio Visual Services Corporation and Visual Action Holdings among others. He is a non-executive independent director of the holding company for IdealStelrad, a European manufacturer of gas boilers and radiators, and a non-executive director of West Ham Football Club.

Mr Hughes, 61, has been actively involved in corporate restructuring and recovery work for some 30 years. He is a former partner of Coopers and Lybrand where he led the recovery practice until leaving in 2001 to co-found the specialist restructuring practice Talbot Hughes Mckillop.

Mr Merritt, 43, has over 20 years experience of leading and advising on financial and operational restructurings. Prior to joining Talbot Hughes McKillop in 2004, Dean was a partner in Corporate Restructuring at Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young. His experience covers a wide range of business and industrial sectors, including the oil and gas industry.

KCA DEUTAG's non-executive chairman, Tim Summers, said: 'I am delighted to welcome directors of this calibre to KCA DEUTAG at an important time for the business. We have been looking to reinforce our corporate governance through the introduction of more independent directors. I look forward to working with Chris, Bob, Peter and Dean in the coming months to strengthen KCA DEUTAG.'

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