EXHIBIT 10.1
                                 Certification

I, Adam J.Applegarth, Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Northern Rock plc
     ("Northern Rock");

2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
     in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
     which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
     period covered by this annual report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
     information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
     material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
     flows of Northern Rock as of, and for, the periods presented in this
     annual report;

4.   The Group Finance Director and I are responsible for establishing and
     maintaining Northern Rock's disclosure controls and procedures (as
     defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) and have:

     a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
          material information relating to Northern Rock, including its
          consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
          those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual
          report is being prepared;

     b)   evaluated the effectiveness of Northern Rock's disclosure controls
          and procedures within 90 days before the filing date of this annual
          report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)   presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the
          Evaluation Date;

5.   The Group Finance Director and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
     evaluation, to Northern Rock's auditors and the audit committee of
     Northern Rock's board of directors:

     a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
          controls that could adversely affect Northern Rock's ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
          identified for Northern Rock's auditors any material weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
          other employees with a significant role in Northern Rock's internal
          controls; and

6.   The Group Finance Director and I have indicated in this annual report
     whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in
     other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
     subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any
     corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
     weaknesses.

Date: June 24, 2003

 /s/ Adam J. Applegarth
--------------------------------
Name:    Adam J. Applegarth
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                 Certification

I, Robert F. Bennett, Group Finance Director, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Northern Rock plc
     ("Northern Rock");

2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
     in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
     which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
     period covered by this annual report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
     information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
     material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
     flows of Northern Rock as of, and for, the periods presented in this
     annual report;

4.   The Chief Executive Officer and I are responsible for establishing and
     maintaining Northern Rock disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) and have:

     a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
          material information relating to Northern Rock, including its
          consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
          those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual
          report is being prepared;

     b)   evaluated the effectiveness of Northern Rock's disclosure controls
          and procedures within 90 days before the filing date of this annual
          report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)   presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the
          Evaluation Date ;

5.   The Chief Executive Officer and I have disclosed, based on our most
     recent evaluation, to Northern Rock's auditors and the audit committee of
     Northern Rock's board of directors:

     a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
          controls that could adversely affect the Northern Rock's ability to
          record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
          identified for Northern Rock's auditors any material weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
          other employees with a significant role in Northern Rock's internal
          controls; and

6.   The Chief Executive Officer and I have indicated in this annual report
     whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in
     other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
     subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any
     corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
     weaknesses.

Date:  June 24, 2003

 /s/ Robert F. Bennett
----------------------------
Name:  Robert F. Bennett
Title: Group Finance Director