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


                                  June 22, 2004


                               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: Appt of Finance Director dated 22 June 2004


22 June 2004

                               BRITISH ENERGY plc

         Appointment of Stephen Billingham as Finance Director Designate


British  Energy  announces  the  appointment  of Stephen  Billingham  as Finance
Director Designate.

Dr Billingham will join the company in the summer.  After a handover period,  it
is  intended  that he takes over as Finance  Director  from  Martin  Gatto,  the
current interim Finance Director and that he will be appointed to the Board.

Dr  Billingham  joins  British  Energy  from  WS  Atkins  plc,  the  engineering
consultancy and support service group,  where he has been Group Finance Director
during its successful financial recovery. Prior to his current role at WS Atkins
plc, he led the  finance  team that  successfully  closed the  Metronet,  London
Underground Public Private Partnership, the largest and most complex PFI/ PPP to
date. Dr Billingham  has over 20 years  experience in senior  finance  positions
with companies including BICC plc, Severn Trent plc and the Burmah Oil plc.

Mike Alexander, Chief Executive of British Energy, said;

"I am delighted  to welcome  Stephen  Billingham  to British  Energy.  He has an
excellent  track record with major  international  companies.  His experience of
corporate  recovery in Atkins and  involvement in delivering  complex  financial
solutions  will  bring  real  value to the  management  team as we  execute  our
financial restructuring."

Commenting on his appointment, Stephen Billingham said:

"I join British Energy at a crucial time as it re-establishes  itself as a major
player in the UK energy  market.  I look  forward  to playing a full part in the
restoration of the company."


For further information:

Andrew Dowler
Financial Dynamics
020 7831 3113


                                   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:  June 22, 2004                       BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations