**Exhibit 10.5**

**CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION**

10 July 2003

Mr. Michel Jacques

Dear Michel:

I am pleased to offer you the position of Senior Vice President of Alcan Inc.and President, Alcan Engineered Products, effective 1 October 2003.  You willreport to the Office of the President and you will be located in Zurich. 

Given that you are required to move to Zurich, effective 1 September 2003, thefollowing conditions will be applied from that date.

**1.   STARTING DATE AND DURATION**

The effective date of your appointment is 1October 2003 and is contingent upon successful completion of Swiss immigrationrequirements.  The anticipated duration of this assignment is approximately 3 to5 years.

**2.   COMPENSATION**

**Base Salary**

Your base salary will be US$300,000 per annum,effective 1 September 2003.  Your salary will be reviewed on 1 January 2004 andthen annually on the basis of competitive US compensation data.  Your job gradewill be administered at 50 under Alcan's structure.

**Executive Performance Award Plan  (EPA)** 

You willparticipate in Alcan's Executive Performance Award Plan (EPA) with a guidelinebonus of 70% of the midpoint salary (US$374,500).  Effective 1 September 2003,the award payment will be related to the EVA performance of Alcan EngineeredProducts as well as their Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) performance.

1

----

**Long Term Incentive (Stock Option/SPAU andRelative TSR Program)** 

You will continue toparticipate in the Alcan Long Term Incentive plans for Executives, AlcanExecutive Share Option Plan (AESOP)/ Stock Price Appreciation Units Plan (SPAU)and the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) Plan.  The combined target compensationvalue of the two Plans will be equal to US$730,000 for 2003 with half of thisvalue delivered in Stock Options/SPAUS and the other half in the TSR Plan.  Thiscompensation value will be revised annually on the basis of competitive UScompensation data.  The Awards under both Plans are subject to approval by theHuman Resources Committee (HRC) of the Board. 

**Expatriate Premium**

You will receive an Expatriate Premium of 10% ofyour base salary (up to a maximum of US$35,000), net after tax per annum.  Thispremium will be adjusted as and when your base salary is adjusted.

**Method of Payment**

Your salary will be paid to you in Switzerlandin CHF and deposited to your designated bank account in Switzerland, with theexception of a portion to be paid in Montreal to cover contributions to Canadianbenefit plans.

Arrangementsregarding the conversion of your base salary to Swiss Francs will be asfollows.  Effective 1 January 2004, a fixed exchange rate will be used for thewhole year.  This rate will be set using the AGHO November month end rate of2003.  In December 2004, a reconciliation using the rates running from end ofNovember 2003 to end of November 2004 will indicate if an adjustment isrequired.  Note that a variance of 2% over or under the fixed rate will nottrigger an adjustment either way.  This will be reviewed and adjusted everyyear.  This arrangement does not apply to EPA payments.

2

----

**3.   PENSION/LIFE/LONG-TERM DISABILITY PLAN MEMBERSHIP**

Canada is designated as your Retirement Base. Your current membership in Alcan Pension Plan (Canada), Alcan Life InsurancePlan and Alcan Long-term Disability will continue.  The amount required to coveryour contributions to these Plans will be deducted from the portion of yoursalary disbursed in Canada.  Should your assignment exceed 5 years, yourparticipation in the Alcan Pension Plan will be reassessed.

Furthermore, you will participate in the AlcanPension Plan for Officers ("APPO"), from the date of appointment.  A copy of thePlan will be provided to you.  Should you have any questions pertaining to thisPlan, please contact Michel Méthot at (514) 848-8204.

**4****.   SOCIAL SECURITY**

You will continue to contribute to the QuebecPension Plan (QPP) and be exempt from contributions to the Swiss scheme. Deductions for your required contributions to this plan will be made from yourCanadian salary disbursement.

If you are required to make contributions toSwiss Social Security (AVS), these contributions will be reimbursed to you. Should you at some future date receive a refund of contributions from AVS, therefund shall be returned to Alcan.

**5****.   MEDICAL/DENTAL PLANS**

For the duration of your assignment, you andyour family will be covered under Alcan Inc.'s medical and dental insuranceplans for expatriates.  The procedures for making claims under these plans willbe forwarded to you when you take up your assignment.

In case Swiss Medical coverage is required bySwiss law, the company will pay thecost for a coverage corresponding to theexpatriate scheme.

**6****.   EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN**

As you are being transferred to an affiliatedGroup Company outside Canada, your active membership in the Alcan EmployeeSavings Plan will be suspended.  You will be permitted to maintain your RRSP andDPSP accounts but you must withdraw all funds you may have in the EPSP accountupon transfer.  You are expected to settle your EPSP account soon after leavingCanada by calling the Sun Life Call Centre to request a "Voluntary Withdrawal"of the entire value of your EPSP account.

You will not be permitted to make contributionsnor will any Company contributions be made to your account for the duration ofyour expatriate assignment.

3

----

**7.   AUTOMOBILE**

**(a)  In Canada**

Corporate Fleet Services (CFS) will establish aguaranteed sale price for your personal vehicle.  You will be reimbursed for anyshortfall between the resale price and the guaranteed price.  Please contactKeith Grassie at (514) 735-9392 in order to initiate the process.

**(b)  In Switzerland**

For the duration of your assignment inSwitzerland, you will be eligible to participate in the car leasing programunder the same terms and conditions that apply to Executives in Switzerland. Details of the program, including cost to you and limits, will be given to youupon arrival.

**8****.   HOUSING**

**In Canada **

You will be entitled to participate in the Home Sale Assistance Program or theRental Management Program, as provided by Royal Lepage Relocation Services (RLRS).Alcan will pay for the appraisal costs or selling or renting your property. Information regarding these programs may be obtained from Ms. Anne Levasseur inMontreal (514-848-1400).  A decision as to whether you will sell or rent yourproperty must be made by 31 December 2003. 

Should you elect to rent your property in Montreal, and in recognition that youwill be assuming most of your housing costs in Zurich, Alcan will support yourrenting efforts as follows:

(1)  All of your furniture that is not moved to Zurich should be stored.  Thecost of storage will be for Alcan's account.  Any furnishings and/or majorappliances that are left in your house in Montreal for tenant's use will be atyour sole risk.  Royal Lepage and Alcan shall not be responsible for suchfurnishings and/or major appliances under any circumstances.  

4

----

(2)  You will use the service of RLRS to manage your property during yourabsence.  The cost of this rental management service will be for Alcan'saccount, however, costs resulting from regular maintenance will be for youraccount.

(3) Consistent with our policy that you shouldnot incur basic housing costs in your home *and* host locationsimultaneously, and with our practice to use statistics on housing costs, Alcanguarantees that you will receive the minimum gross rental incomeresulting from renting your property which is equivalent to the CanadianHousing Cost of C$30,340, grossed up for taxes and adjusted from time totime.  Should at some point during your assignment your property not be rented,Alcan will remit to you the monthly Canadian Housing Cost (C$ 2,530 net oftaxes). 

(4) Upon taking repossession of your property,Alcan will assume the cost if any, up to a maximum of US$25,000, of necessaryexpenses (covering repairs and painting) to ensure that your property isreturned to you in the same condition as prior to your departure.  

**In Switzerland **

If necessary, you will be provided withappropriate temporary accommodation in Switzerland for a reasonable period untilsuch time as you have found suitable permanent accommodation.  The costs of thistemporary accommodation will be for the Company's account.

You will be provided with appropriateaccommodation in the Zurich area.  You will be responsible for the cost ofutilities and rental up to CHF 4,000 per month.  Any rental cost in excess ofthis amount, and up to CHF 3,000 per month (net of taxes) will be for theCompany's account.

**9.     RELOCATION**

 

(a)       Related expenses and businessclass airfares via the most direct route between Montreal and Zurich for you andyour spouse will be for the Company's account.

(b)        The cost of storing and/or shipping your household goods and personal effectsfrom Montreal to Switzerlandwill be for the Company's account.

5

----

(c)       You will be entitled to arelocation allowance of the equivalent of one month's Base salary (US$25,000)net of taxes. This allowance is meant to cover incidental expenses incurred as aresult of your move such as, but not limited to, curtains and purchase ofreplacement household equipment when the electrical current is not compatiblewith current equipment.  Alcan will provide, on a need basis and if the aboveallowance is not adequate, financial assistance should you be required topurchase major electrical appliances, such as stove, washing machine and soforth.  

 

**10.   CROSS-CULTURALTRAINING**

Prior to your departure, arrangements will be made for you and your spouse toattend a cross-cultural training program. This program is designed to help yourapidly adapt to your new environment.  Please contact Continuum International(c/o Ms. Barbara Vyncke, tel.: 514-861-0903 extension 227) to learn more aboutthe services available to you.

**     11.   ASSISTANCEFOR CHILDREN**

Alcan will provide a monthly allowance of US$1,000.00 per month, net of taxes,to provide assistance for your children who remain in Montreal.  Thisarrangement will run until 31 December 2004.  This amount will be deposited toyour designated bank account in Switzerland.     

**3.  12.   ASSISTANCEFOR PREPARATION OF INCOME TAX RETURNS**

It is very important that you obtain professional tax advice, both in Canada andin Switzerland, prior to making any major financial decisions arising from thistransfer. Canadian financial counseling and tax return preparations related to thisassignment will be provided to you by T.E. Financial Consultants Limited (c/oMr. Michael Giacomodonato, tel.: 514-845-3200 extension 244).  Please contactthem prior to your departure. 

Similar services in Switzerland will be provided by Mr. Otmar HUBER, Tax PartnerAG, Talstrasse 80, 8001 Zurich, Tel.:  0041 1 215 7701.  An entry and exitinterview is normally scheduled for all Alcan expatriates going on assignment toSwitzerland, therefore, please contact them at your earliest convenience toschedule your meeting.

6

----

The fees associated with the above services will be for Alcan's account.

**1.   13.   VACATION**

Any untaken vacation or leave entitlements you have accumulated in Canada shouldbe cleared with Alcan Inc. before taking up this appointment.  Your vacationentitlement in Switzerland will be 30 days per annum plus statutory holidays.

**       14.   HOMELEAVE**

Alcan will reimburse you for the cost of one round trip business class airfarefor you and your spouse to travel between Zurich and Montreal per 12-monthperiod during the assignment, via the most direct route.  All incidentalexpenses incurred during such trips will be for your own account. 

In addition to the above, should a member of your immediate family not residingwith you suffer life-threatening illness, injury or death, assistance will beprovided to allow you to be with the relative or attend to necessaryarrangements.

**3.  15.   CHANGEOF STATUS**

In the event that the anticipated duration of this assignment or the positionitself changes significantly from what is set in this letter, then the affectedterms and conditions will be rediscussed with you.

If at the end of this assignment, you should accept a permanent position inSwitzerland, then the benefits provided to you as an expatriate employee will bediscontinued.

If, at the end of this assignment, there should be no mutually satisfactoryposition or location available at that time within Alcan, you and your spousewill be repatriated to Montreal under normal expatriate terms.  Your employmentwould be terminated according to Alcan's policies regarding expatriateterminations.

**4.   16.   CHANGEOF CONTROL**

Enclosed is a Change of Control Agreement that I would ask you to sign andreturn a copy to Robert Maheu.

**5.   17.   CONFIDENTIALITY/NON-COMPETITION**

Youare asked to sign the attached confidentiality and non-competitive agreements.

7

----

**1.    18.   RELOCATIONCONTACTS**

Your contact in Montreal for assistance with your relocation is Claire Malletteat (514) 848-8178.  Your contact in Zurich is Marianne Manini at+41(0)1-386-2635.

Pleasesign and return a copy of this letter indicating your acceptance of the termsand conditions described in it.

Iaccept the terms and conditions described above.

#                                                       

#  

                                                                                                           /s/ Travis Engen                                                  

                                                                                                            Travis Engen

                                                                                                           President and Chief

                                                                                                           Executive Officer

 

 

/s/ Michel Jacques                                                        10 July 2003                                               

           Michel Jacques                                                                       date

Attachments

Copies to:         Mr.Richard B. Evans - Alcan Inc.:  Maison Alcan

Mr. Robert Maheu - Alcan Inc.:  Maison Alcan

                       Mrs. Claire Mallette - Alcan Inc.:  Maison Alcan

                        Mr.François Curie - Alcan Holdings Switzerland:  Zurich

                        Ms.Marianne Manini  - Alcan Holdings Switzerland:  Zurich

                        Mr.Jean-Claude Savoie - Alcan Holdings Switzerland:  Zurich

                        Dr.Alan Kimber - British Alcan Aluminium plc:  Uxbridge

8