FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Report of Foreign Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 February 4, 2003 BRITISH ENERGY PLC (Registrant's name) 3 Redwood Crescent Peel Park East Kilbride G74 5PR Scotland (Address of principal executive offices) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F..... Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ..... No ..X.. If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): Exhibit Index The following document (bearing the exhibit number listed below) is furnished herewith and is made a part of this Report pursuant to the General Instructions for Form 6-K: Exhibit Description No. 1 RNS Announcement, re: Appointment of New CEO dated 4 February, 2003 Exhibit No. 1 4 February 2003 BRITISH ENERGY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE British Energy plc ("British Energy") is pleased to announce that Mike Alexander is appointed Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 March 2003. Mr Alexander is currently Chief Operating Officer of Centrica plc. Adrian Montague, Chairman of British Energy, said: "I am delighted that he has agreed to join us. Mike is a highly regarded senior Director with just the right combination of skills and experience for British Energy at this critical time as we seek to reach agreement on our financial restructuring. He has an exceptional record in driving major organisational change and will bring great value to the business." Mr Alexander commented: "I am hugely excited to have the opportunity of driving the Company forward to ensure that it consolidates its position in the UK electricity market and of steering it through the next phase in its development." Mr Alexander is a Chemical Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and, prior to joining British Gas in 1991, spent an extensive period with BP plc in a variety of policy, commercial, engineering and marketing roles. His engineering background includes design, control, operation and maintenance of major process plant. Within British Gas, he moved from the asset management roles associated with upstream oil and gas production to the trading and marketing activities of the newly liberalised UK energy markets. As Managing Director of British Gas Trading, he led the transformation from a gas to energy supplier, building the electricity business and was responsible for the creation of the Goldfish Credit Card. He is also a non-executive director of Associated British Foods plc. For further information: Andrew Dowler Financial Dynamics 020 7831 3113 Notes The search for a CEO was undertaken by Heidrick and Struggles. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Date: February 4, 2003 BRITISH ENERGY PLC By:____Paul Heward____ Name: Paul Heward Title: Director - Investor Relations