Document:

EXHIBIT 10 (b)
RULE 30a-2(b)
CERTIFICATION

In
connection with this report on Form N-CSR for the registrant as furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”),
the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

	 	(1) 	the
Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as  applicable; and

	 	(2)	the
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material  respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

	By:     	 /s/
BRIAN T. ZINO
Brian
T. Zino
Chief Executive Officer
 

	Date:	December 2, 2003
 

	By:     	 /s/
/s/ LAWRENCE P. VOGEL
Lawrence
P. Vogel
Chief Financial Officer
 

	Date:	December 2, 2003<PAGE>
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                                THE BOC GROUP PLC

List of Director's service contracts and letters of appointment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PARTY                                                                                DATE OF CONTRACT/LETTER
-----                                                                                -----------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>
Fabiola Arredondo                                                                            24 October 2001
Julie Baddeley                                                                              27 November 2001
John Bevan                                                                                   5 December 2002
Andrew Bonfield                                                                                  20 May 2003
Anthony Eric Isaac                                                                          19 November 2002
Rob Margetts                                                                                  4 October 2001
Rene Medori                                                                                 19 November 2002
Roberto Mendoza                                                                               9 October 2002
Matthew Miau                                                                                 23 January 2002
Christopher O'Donnell                                                                       27 November 2001
Krishnamurthy Rajagopal                                                            1 May 1999, as amended 22
                                                                                               November 2002
John Walsh                                                                                  21 November 2002
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

24 October 2001

Mrs Fabiola Arredondo
5 The Vale
London
SW3 6AG

Dear Fabiola

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company is effective from
Thursday 8 November 2001 and is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of
the Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated
pursuant to the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on Friday 18 January 2002 and you shall then be eligible for re-election
by the shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by
rotation in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to
be at the Annual General Meeting in 2005. At that time, however, it may be
agreed by you and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders
for a second term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to, to use
best endeavours to attend all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and
meetings of board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be
requested to attend meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for 2002 are attached (Appendix 1). The
Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third Friday in January.

You are invited to become a member of the Management Resources Committee which
meets immediately prior to most Board meetings and, sometimes, additionally at
the end of November.

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the Company
Secretary.

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling30,000 per
annum. This sum will be deemed to accrue from day to day, will be payable in
equal monthly instalments in arrears and is subject to deductions of national
insurance and income tax under the Inland Revenue PAYE regulations. You will
also be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses necessarily incurred in
performing your duties.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the attached folder.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

A personal details form is enclosed for your completion (Appendix 2) which will
provide all the necessary information to comply with the various regulations.
When completed return the form to our Company Secretarial Department.

The information will be used to make the necessary declarations and register
entries and to produce the Form 288(a) which will be sent to you for signature
to indicate your consent to act as a director. This form will then be filed with
the Registrar of Companies. This must be done within 14 days of the date of your
appointment.

Attached is a copy of the Directors' Reference Binder which contains information
likely to be useful to you in connection with your appointment as a director of
the Company.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person). If you do not
already hold shares in the Company which would meet this requirement, the shares
must be acquired within two months of the date of your appointment subject to
the regulations on dealing in the Company's securities set out in the next
paragraph.

When you wish to purchase the shares, using our brokers, Cazenove & Co Ltd, in
London may be the easiest way. Should you wish to use Cazenove their contact
details can be obtained from the Company Secretarial Department (01276 807759).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the enclosed Directors' Reference Binder.
However you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be
obtained from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to
Deal in the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should
be sent via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request
to be reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated
to you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a company's securities. You should be aware that the next
open period for dealing will be from 15 November 2001 to 4 January 2002.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to the Company Announcements Office of The
London Stock Exchange as required by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

11.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Sir David John

Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: Fabiola R. Arredondo                  Date: ......Nov 8,2001........

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
27 November 2001

Ms J M Baddeley
Flat 8
29 de Vere Gardens
London
W8 5AW

Dear Julie

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company, which was effective
from 15 May 2001, is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of the
Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated pursuant to
the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on 18 January 2002 and you shall then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by rotation
in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to be at the
Annual General Meeting in 2005. At that time, however, it may be agreed by you
and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders for a second
term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for 2002 is attached (Appendix 1). The
Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third Friday in January.

You are a member of the Management Resources Committee which meets immediately
prior to most Board meetings and, sometimes, additionally at the end of November
and you are also a member of the Audit Committee which meets four times a year.
With effect from 18 January 2002, you will become a member and Chairman of the
Pensions Governance Committee which meets once a year and a member of the
Nomination Committee.

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the Company
Secretary.

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling30,000 per
annum. The fees will be increased by a further Pound Sterling5,000 per annum
following your appointment as Chairman of the

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

Pensions Governance Committee. This sum will be deemed to accrue from day to
day, will be payable in equal monthly instalments in arrears and is subject to
deductions of national insurance and income tax under the Inland Revenue PAYE
regulations. You will also be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses
necessarily incurred in performing your duties.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

the UK Companies Act and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the
Directors Reference Binder.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the Directors' Reference Binder. However
you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be obtained
from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to Deal in
the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should be sent
via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request to be
reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated to
you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a company's securities. The dates for 2001 / 2002 are
given in section 15 of the Directors Reference Binder.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to the Company Announcements Office of The
London Stock Exchange as required by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS

This letter agreement is in substitution for all previous agreements /
arrangements between you and the Company and this letter agreement records the
true and full position as at the date hereof.

11.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

12.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Sir David John

Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: J M Baddeley                        Date: .........3 / 12 /2001.........

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                             DATED 5TH DECEMBER 2002

                                THE BOC GROUP PLC

                                       AND

                                   JOHN BEVAN

                        --------------------------------

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                         -------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      PAGE
<S>                                                                                     <C>
SECTION 1                                                                               2
THE KEY TERMS                                                                           2
SECTION 2                                                                               4
PART A                                                                                  4
DEFINITIONS                                                                             4
PART B                                                                                  6
MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS                                                                 6
1.  JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND
    START OF EMPLOYMENT                                                                 6
2.  DUTIES                                                                              6
3.  OTHER INTERESTS                                                                     7
PART C                                                                                  8
BENEFITS                                                                                8
4.  SALARY                                                                              8
5.  BONUS AND INCENTIVES                                                                8
6.  SHARE OPTIONS                                                                       8
7.  CAR                                                                                 9
8.  PENSION                                                                             9
9.  EXPENSES                                                                            9
10. HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAY PAY                                                            9
11. SICKNESS AND SICK PAY                                                               10
PART D                                                                                  11
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY                                               11
12. CONFIDENTIALITY                                                                     11
13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS                                                        11
PART E                                                                                  14
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT                                                               14
14. NOTICE AND PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE                                                14
15. GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION                                                         15
16. DISMISSAL ON SHORT NOTICE                                                           15
17. DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE                                                            16
18. RETIREMENT                                                                          16
PART F                                                                                  17
AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT / WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE                                17
19. RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER
    OF SHARES                                                                           17
20. RESTRICTIONS                                                                        17
PART G                                                                                  20
OTHER MATTERS                                                                           20
21. DIRECTORSHIP                                                                        20
22. DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE                                                            20
23. NOTICES                                                                             20
24. OTHER AGREEMENTS                                                                    20
25. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS                                                               20
26. DATA PROTECTION                                                                     20
27. GOVERNING LAW                                                                       21
SCHEDULE 1                                                                              22
</TABLE>

                                       1
<PAGE>

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                                    SECTION 1

                                  THE KEY TERMS

            (to be read in conjunction with Section 2 and Schedule 1)

The terms and conditions contained in this Section 1, together with those
contained in Section 2 and Schedule 1, outline the main terms and conditions of
your employment and contain the particulars required by the Employment Rights
Act 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                          <C>
Employer:                                    The BOC Group plc, a company
                                             incorporated under the laws of
                                             England and Wales with registered
                                             number 22096 and with registered
                                             office Chertsey Road, Windlesham,
                                             Surrey GU20 6HJ (where we refer to
                                             The BOC Group plc in this contract
                                             we will use the "Company", "we",
                                             "us" or "our").

Employee:                                    John Bevan (where we refer to you as the employee we will
                                             use "you" or "your").

Job Title:                                   Chief Executive Officer, Process Gas Solutions, or such
(Clause 1)                                   other title as we may from time to time reasonably assign
                                             to you.

Effective Date:                              6 December 2002
(Clause 1)

Start Date of Continuous Employment:         3 September 1984
(Clause 1)

Normal place of work:                        The Company's offices in Windlesham, Surrey, UK or at such
(Clause 1)                                   other location as we may from time to time require.

Normal hours of work:                        37.5 per week
(Clause 1)

Line Manager:                                Mr A E Isaac, Chief Executive
(Clause 2)

Base Salary:                                 Pound Sterling 300,000
(Clause 4)

Pension:                                     BOC Gases Superannuation Fund (Australia)
(Clause 8)

Holiday:                                     25 days per calendar year.
(Clause 10)

Notice Period:                               When given by the Company: 12 months.
(Clause 14)                                  When given by you: 6 months.

Normal Retirement Age:                       60 years
(Clause 18)
</TABLE>

                                        2
<PAGE>

Additional company policies and procedures from time to time are set out and
available to you on our intranet site. The policies and procedures do not form
part of your contract of employment. However, you are expected to comply with
such policies and procedures to the extent that they apply to you.

If there is any conflict between this Agreement and any policy or procedure,
this Agreement will take priority.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 2

                                     PART A

                                   DEFINITIONS

In this Section 2:

o        "BOARD" means our board of directors from time to time of;

o        "BUSINESS" means our business or businesses or those of any company in
         the Group in or with which you have been involved or concerned at any
         time during the period of 12 months prior to the Restriction Date;

o        "COMPANY WORKS" means all Works authored, originated, conceived,
         written or made by you alone or with others (except only those Works
         which are authored, originated, conceived, written or made by you
         wholly outside the course of your employment);

o        "DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY" means you acting either alone or jointly with
         or on behalf of any other person, firm or company, whether as
         principal, partner, manager, executive, employee, contractor, director,
         consultant, investor or otherwise;

o        "GROUP" means the Company and any company which is from time to time an
         associated company of the Company. In this definition "ASSOCIATED
         COMPANY" means any subsidiary or a holding company of the Company or a
         subsidiary (other than the Company) of a holding company of the
         Company, and "SUBSIDIARY" and "HOLDING COMPANY" have the same meanings
         as in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985;

o        "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS" means any and all patents, trade marks,
         signs and services marks, rights in designs, trade or business names or
         signs, copyrights, database rights and topography rights (whether or
         not any of these is registered and including applications for
         registration of any such thing) and all rights or forms of protection
         of a similar nature or having equivalent or similar effect to any of
         these which may exist anywhere in the world;

o        "KEY PERSONNEL" means any person who is at the Restriction Date, or was
         at any time during the period of 12 months prior to the Restriction
         Date, employed or engaged in the Business in an executive capacity and
         with whom you had material contact during that time;

o        "PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who has been
         engaged in negotiations, with which you have been personally involved,
         with us or a company in the Group with a view to purchasing goods and
         services from us or any company in the Group in the period of 12 months
         prior to the Restriction Date;

o        "RELEVANT CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
         during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a customer or
         client of ours or any company in the Group, with whom or which you
         dealt directly or for whom or which you were responsible on behalf of
         us or any company in the Group at any time during that period;

o        "RELEVANT GOODS OR SERVICES" means any goods or services competitive
         with those supplied by us or by any company in the Group in our, or in
         its, capacity as a gases business, at any time during the 12 months
         prior to the Restriction Date in the supply of which you were involved
         or concerned at any time during that period;

                                       4
<PAGE>

o        "RELEVANT PERIOD" means:

         (i)      for the purposes of Clause 20.1, the period of 6 months from
                  the Restriction Date; and

         (ii)     for the purposes of Clauses 20.2 and 20.3, the period of 12
                  months from the Restriction Date;

o        "RELEVANT SUPPLIER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
         during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a supplier of
         any goods or services (other than utilities and goods or services
         supplied for administrative purposes) to us or any company in the Group
         and with whom or which you had personal dealings during your employment
         other than in a minimal way;

o        "RESTRICTION DATE" means the earlier of the Termination Date and the
         start of any period of Garden Leave;

o        "TERMINATION DATE" means the date on which your employment terminates;
         and

o        "WORKS" means all works, designs, innovations, inventions,
         improvements, processes, get-up, trade marks and trade names.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                     PART B

                             MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS

1        JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND START OF
         EMPLOYMENT

         Your Job Title is specified in the Key Terms.

         Your normal working hours are specified in the Key Terms. However, you
         are required to work such additional hours as are reasonably necessary
         for the proper performance of your duties. You will not be paid for any
         hours worked in excess of your normal working hours.

         Your normal place of work is specified in the Key Terms. You will
         travel to such places inside or outside the United Kingdom as we may
         from time to time reasonably require, but you will not be obliged to
         reside or work outside the United Kingdom for a continuous period in
         excess of one month.

         The nature of your work is such that your working time cannot be
         measured or predetermined by us or can be determined by you. As such,
         the limit to working time of 48 hours per week on average will not
         apply to you.

         Your employment under the terms of this Agreement begins or began on
         the Effective Date set out in the Key Terms.

         Your Start Date of Continuous Employment is set out in the Key Terms.

2        DUTIES

         Your role, powers and duties will be those which the Board may from
         time to time properly assign to you, and you will report to the Line
         Manager specified in the Key Terms. You may be required to carry out
         additional duties or alternative, comparable roles either for us or the
         Group and either on a temporary or a permanent basis without additional
         remuneration.

         During your employment you will:

         (a)      faithfully and diligently and to the best of your ability
                  exercise such powers and perform such duties as the Board may
                  require, and comply with all limitations, rules and
                  regulations the Board may notify to you;

         (b)      at all times endeavour to promote the interests and reputation
                  of the Group;

         (c)      subject to any consent given by us under Clause 3 below,
                  devote the whole of your time, attention and ability to your
                  duties; and

         (d)      at all times keep us fully informed (in writing if so
                  requested) of your conduct of our business or affairs and
                  provide such explanations as we may require.

                                       6
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3        OTHER INTERESTS

         During your employment you will not, without first obtaining our
         written consent (and we will not unreasonably withhold our consent):

         (a)      undertake any other business or occupation; or

         (b)      become a director, employee or agent of any other company or
                  firm or person; or

         (c)      hold a direct or indirect interest in any supplier or customer
                  of any company in the Group; or

         (d)      hold an interest in any other company or firm other than a
                  shareholding in any company in the Group or a shareholding not
                  exceeding 5% in a company listed on a recognised stock
                  exchange unless we require you not to do so in any particular
                  case on the ground that such other company is or may be
                  carrying on a business competing or tending to compete with
                  any business of the Group.

         During your employment you will not knowingly deal directly or
         indirectly in any shares of the Company or any company in the Group
         except in accordance with our Guide for Dealing in the Securities of
         The BOC Group plc for Directors and Designated Employees from time to
         time, which is set out and available to you on request.

                                       7
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                                     PART C

                                    BENEFITS

4        SALARY

         We will pay your Base Salary as set out in the Key Terms less tax,
         National Insurance contributions and any other withholdings or
         deductions required by law or agreed in advance.

         Your Base Salary accrues from day to day and we will pay this in equal
         instalments monthly in arrears direct to an account nominated by you.

         Your Base Salary includes any fees or remuneration to which you may be
         entitled as a director, nominee or representative of the Company or any
         company in the Group.

         Although we are not obliged to increase your Base Salary, it will be
         reviewed annually on 1 January and from time to time.

         By signing this agreement you hereby authorise us to deduct from your
         Base Salary any sums due from you to us.

5        BONUS AND INCENTIVES

         (a)      You will be eligible to participate in the BOC Group Variable
                  Compensation Plan in accordance with its terms from time to
                  time. Bonus payments under the BOC Group Variable Compensation
                  Plan will depend upon our business performance and your
                  personal performance.

                  Bonus payments will be made less tax, National Insurance
                  contributions and any other withholdings or deductions
                  required by law. We reserve the right to vary, replace or
                  withdraw the BOC Group Variable Compensation Plan at any time.

         (b)      You may participate in our annual and long term incentive
                  arrangements as notified to you from time to time. Your
                  participation will be subject to the rules of any such annual
                  and long term incentive arrangements. We reserve the right to
                  vary, replace or withdraw the annual and long-term incentive
                  arrangements at any time.

         (c)      You will continue to be eligible to contribute to the BOC
                  (Australia) Share Save Scheme.

6        SHARE OPTIONS

         If at any time you are granted options under a share option scheme of
         ours, those options will be subject to the rules of that scheme in
         force from time to time. The rules of any such option scheme will not
         form part of your contract of employment. If your employment terminates
         for any reason you will not be entitled to any compensation for any
         loss of any right or benefit or prospective right or benefit under any
         such scheme which you may otherwise have enjoyed.

                                       8
<PAGE>

7        CAR

         We will provide you with a car, or the equivalent financial benefit, in
         accordance with our Car Scheme and Car Holders Guide from time to time,
         which are set out and available to you on our intranet site. You may
         elect instead to receive a monthly cash allowance in lieu of a car.

         You will observe the provisions and conditions of any policy of
         insurance and our Car Scheme and Car Holders Guide in force from time
         to time.

8        PENSION

         You will continue to be eligible to participate in the BOC Gases
         Superannuation Fund (Australia) (the "Superannuation Fund") subject to
         its rules from time to time.

         Your salary for pensions purposes will be your base salary converted to
         AUS$.

         The salary for the purposes of this paragraph will be adjusted in line
         with any increases to your base salary from time to time.

9        EXPENSES

         We will reimburse any expenses reasonably incurred by you in the proper
         performance of your duties, subject to production of valid receipts
         with expenses claim documentation in accordance with our expenses
         policy.

10       HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAY PAY

         Our holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

         For each full calendar year you are entitled to the number of days'
         paid holiday set out in the Key Terms, in addition to public holidays.
         If you leave or join us during a calendar year, your holiday
         entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

         Where accrued holiday cannot be taken on termination of employment,
         payment in lieu of holiday will be made in accordance with your
         statutory entitlement under the Working Time Regulations 1998. Where
         you have taken holiday in excess of your holiday entitlement a sum
         equivalent to any salary received for holiday taken in excess of your
         holiday entitlement will be deducted by us from any sums due to you on
         the termination of your employment calculated on the basis of 1/260th
         of your current annual Base Salary for each day taken in excess of your
         holiday entitlement.

         Your holiday dates should be agreed in advance. Any holiday not taken
         in the calendar year in which it accrues may be carried into the
         following calendar year but must be used by the end of March in the
         following calendar year, after which it will lapse. No payment will be
         made in lieu of untaken holiday except on termination of employment.

         We may require you to take any unused holiday entitlement during your
         Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave, even if booked to be taken
         after the end of the Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave.

                                       9
<PAGE>

11       SICKNESS AND SICK PAY

         Subject to compliance with our sickness policy from time to time, if
         you are absent from work due to sickness you will be entitled to
         receive at our discretion Company sick pay (which includes statutory
         sick pay) in accordance with our sickness policy. Our sickness policy
         is set out and available to you on our intranet site.

         We may require you to undergo a medical examination by a medical
         practitioner appointed by us at any time. We will pay the costs of any
         such medical examination, and you agree that the medical report may be
         disclosed to and discussed with us.

         You are eligible to join our private medical insurance scheme, details
         of which are set out and available to you on our intranet site, subject
         to the rules of such scheme from time to time.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                     PART D

                    CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

12       CONFIDENTIALITY

         You will at all times (both during and after the end of your
         employment) keep confidential all private information about the Company
         (or about any other company or business in the Group), including
         technical and financial information, which you may have acquired while
         in our employment. You will not use such information for your own
         benefit or for the benefit of any business not within the Group. You
         will keep such information confidential to yourself and your immediate
         supervisor, unless otherwise instructed by us. Such information
         includes (without limitation) the following:

         (a)      the business methods and information of any member of the
                  Group (including, without limitation, prices charged,
                  discounts given to customers or obtained from suppliers,
                  product development, marketing and advertising programmes,
                  costings, budgets, turnover, sales targets and other financial
                  information);

         (b)      lists and particulars of the Group's suppliers and customers
                  and the individual contacts at such suppliers and customers;

         (c)      details and terms of our agreements with suppliers and
                  customers;

         (d)      secret manufacturing or production processes and know-how
                  employed by any member of the Group or their suppliers; and

         (e)      confidential details as to the design of the Group's or its
                  suppliers' products and inventions or developments relating to
                  future products.

         These restrictions will not restrict you from using your own personal
         skill in any business in which you may lawfully be engaged after
         termination of your employment.

         You will not, after the termination of your employment, or during your
         employment (except in the ordinary course of your duties), make any
         communication to the press or publish any material or include in any
         lecture or document any matter relating to us or any company in the
         Group, or any matters with which we or any company in the Group may be
         concerned, unless you have previously and on each occasion obtained
         permission from us.

13       INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

13.1     All Company Works shall vest in and be owned by us immediately upon
         their creation. It will be part of your normal duties to:

                                       11
<PAGE>

         (a)      consider in what manner and by what new methods or devices our
                  products, services, processes, equipment or systems with which
                  you are concerned or for which you are responsible might be
                  improved; and

         (b)      promptly disclose to us full details of any invention or
                  improvement which you make or discover in the course of your
                  duties including, without limitation, details of all Company
                  Works; and

         (c)      further our interests

         with the intent that subject to applicable law we will be entitled to
         ownership of any Company Works and to the exclusive use of them free of
         charge and any third party rights.

13.2     If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to us
         all of your right, title and interest in the Company Works together
         with all of your right, title and interest in any and all Intellectual
         Property Rights which exist in the Company Works.

13.3     If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to us
         all future copyright in the Company Works and you agree that all such
         future copyright will vest in us by operation of law.

13.4     You irrevocably and unconditionally waive, in our favour, and in favour
         of our licensees and successors-in-title, any and all moral rights
         conferred on you in relation to the Company Works (existing or future)
         and any and all other moral rights under any legislation now existing
         or in future enacted in any part of the world. You will, at our request
         and expense, take all steps that may be necessary or desirable to us to
         enforce against any third party your moral rights in any of the Company
         Works.

13.5     You acknowledge that these covenants will be treated as good
         consideration and we will be the proprietor of any design which forms
         part of the Company Works.

13.6     Nothing in this Clause 13 shall be construed as restricting your or our
         rights under sections 39 to 43 (inclusive) of the Patents Act 1977.

13.7     You will not knowingly do anything to imperil the validity of any
         patent or protection or any patent application therefor relating to
         any of the Company Works but will at our cost render all possible
         assistance to us both in obtaining and in maintaining such patents or
         other protection.

13.8     You will not either during your employment or afterwards exploit or
         assist others to exploit any of the Company Works or any invention or
         improvement which you may make or discover in the course of your
         duties.

13.9     You irrevocably authorise us as your attorney for the purposes of this
         Clause 13 to use your name and to sign and to execute any documents or
         do any thing on your behalf (or where permissible to obtain the patent
         or other protection in our name or in that of our nominees in relation
         to any of the Company Works).

                                       12
<PAGE>

13.10    You will both during your employment under this Agreement and
         afterwards, at our request and expense, do all things and execute all
         documents necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of
         this Clause 13.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                     PART E

                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

14       NOTICE AND PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE

         In order to terminate your employment under this Agreement, you must
         give to us in writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the
         Key Terms.

         Subject to Clauses 16,17 and 18, you are entitled to receive from us in
         writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the Key Terms.

         After notice has been given in accordance with this Agreement or
         following any period of Garden Leave under Clause 15, we may at our
         discretion terminate your employment by paying you a sum in lieu of the
         unexpired portion of the Notice Period. Such payment will be made as
         soon as reasonably practicable and shall be equivalent to the aggregate
         of:

        (a)      your Base Salary;

        (b)      your bonus (calculated by reference to the average of actual
                 bonus payments, if any, over the previous two financial years);

        (c)      the cash allowance in lieu of your Company car;

        (d)      your pension (calculated in accordance with the paragraphs
                 below);

         each pro rata to the unexpired portion of the Notice Period, and shall
         be deemed to include compensation for any other payments or benefits
         which you might otherwise have received during the Notice Period, other
         than pension benefits (which are dealt with below). The payment shall
         be subject to deductions of income tax and National Insurance as
         appropriate, together with any amounts you owe to us. You will not
         under any circumstances have any right to receive a payment in lieu of
         the Notice Period unless we have exercised our option to do so.

         If your employment is terminated by paying you a sum in lieu of the
         unexpired portion of the Notice Period, you will also be entitled
         (subject to the rules of the SUPERANNUATION FUND from time to time) to
         benefits which are determined in accordance with the rules from time to
         time of the SUPERANNUATION FUND that apply to you at the date of
         termination but calculated as though you had a period of Membership (as
         defined in the rules of the SUPERANNUATION FUND) which was equal to
         your actual Membership plus the unexpired portion of the Notice Period.
         For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that your benefits fall to be
         calculated as Defined Benefits (as defined in the rules of the
         SUPERANNUATION FUND) the benefits will be based on your Final Average
         Salary (as defined in the rules of THE SUPERANNUATION FUND) at the date
         of termination.

                                       14
<PAGE>

15       GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION

         We may at any time or from time to time suspend you from the
         performance of your duties and/or exclude you from any of the premises
         of the Group:

         (a)      during all or any part of your Notice Period (defined as a
                  period of "GARDEN LEAVE") where we reasonably believe that you
                  are, or will be at any time during your Notice Period,
                  engaged, concerned or interested in any business concern in
                  circumstances requiring our prior written consent under Clause
                  20.1; or

         (b)      for no longer than one month at any one time, in circumstances
                  in which we reasonably believe that you are guilty of
                  misconduct or are in breach of this Agreement and in order
                  that the circumstances giving rise to that belief may be
                  investigated (defined as a period of "SUSPENSION").

         We are not obliged to give you any powers or duties or to provide any
         work for you. During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension we may
         appoint any other individual to perform your duties.

         Base Salary and other benefits will continue to be paid during any
         period of Garden Leave or Suspension.

         During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension, you will:

         (a)      be bound by the provisions of this Agreement (including your
                  obligation of confidentiality) and must continue at all times
                  to conduct yourself with good faith towards us and not do
                  anything that is harmful to us or any company in the Group;

         (b)      not contact or deal with customers, suppliers or employees of
                  any member of the Group or enter onto the premises of any
                  member of the Group without the prior written consent of your
                  Line Manager; and

         (c)      remain available to perform any reasonable duties required by
                  us; if you do not, we will not be obliged to pay your Base
                  Salary and other benefits during any period in which you are
                  not available.

16       DISMISSAL ON SHORT NOTICE

         If you become eligible for a Disability Income Benefit under the
         Superannuation Fund, we may terminate your employment by giving to you
         in writing not less than one half of the Notice Period set out in the
         Key Terms.

         If in our reasonable opinion you become permanently incapacitated by
         bodily or mental illness or accident from properly performing your
         duties, and you are not eligible for an ill-health pension, we may
         terminate your employment by giving to you in writing not less than the
         Notice Period set out in the Key Terms.

                                       15
<PAGE>

17       DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE

         We may summarily terminate your employment without notice or any
         compensation or payment in lieu if you:

         (a)      are convicted of any criminal offence other than a minor
                  misdemeanour, or an offence under road traffic legislation for
                  which a penalty other than imprisonment is imposed; or

         (b)      commit any act of dishonesty or serious or persistent
                  misconduct, any act of gross negligence or other material
                  breach or non-observance of this Agreement; or

         (c)      are declared bankrupt or enter into any arrangement with or
                  for the benefit of your creditors; or

         (d)      are guilty of conduct which is inconsistent with our interests
                  or the interests of any company in the Group; or

         (e)      become a patient under any mental health statute; or

         (f)      are or become disqualified from being a director by reason of
                  an order made by any competent court (except a court of a
                  country or jurisdiction which the parties may agree, from time
                  to time, as being excluded from this provision).

         Your entitlements to Base Salary and all other benefits will cease on
         the day your employment is summarily terminated.

18       RETIREMENT

         Your employment will terminate automatically on the date when you reach
         your Normal Retirement Age, as set out in the Key Terms.

         If the date when you reach your Normal Retirement Age occurs prior to
         the expiry of the Notice Period, then you will only be entitled to
         receive such notice (or payment in lieu of notice) for the period up to
         that date.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                     PART F

            AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT / WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE

19       RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER OF SHARES

         Unless otherwise agreed, at the end of your employment or on your being
         put on Garden Leave for whatever reason you must return all documents,
         computer files or tapes, credit cards, computers, mobile phones,
         company cars and all other items of property in your possession or
         control belonging to, or containing any confidential information of, us
         or any company in the Group or its customers or suppliers.

         At the end of your employment or on your being put on Garden Leave for
         whatever reason you must on request:

         (a)      resign any directorship or other office held by you in the
                  Company or any company in the Group; and

         (b)      transfer to us or as we may direct any shares or other
                  securities held by you as nominee or trustee for the Company
                  or any company in the Group without payment in either case.

         If you fail to do so within one week of request, you irrevocably
         authorise us as your attorney to appoint a person in your name and on
         your behalf to execute any documents or do any things necessary for
         such purpose(s).

20       RESTRICTIONS

20.1     NON-COMPETITION

         Without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement you will not
         without our prior written consent directly or indirectly at any time
         within the Relevant Period engage or be concerned or interested in any
         business concern which (a) competes or (b) will at any time during the
         Relevant Period compete with the Business. This clause will not
         restrain you from being engaged or concerned in any business insofar as
         your duties or work shall relate solely:

         (i)      to geographical areas where the business concern is not in
                  competition with the Business; or

         (ii)     to services or activities of a kind other than involving the
                  Relevant Goods or Services.

20.2     NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DEALING

         You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly
         at any time within the Relevant Period:

                                       17
<PAGE>

         (a)      solicit the custom of; or

         (b)      facilitate the solicitation of; or

         (c)      do business with

         any Relevant Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services; or

         (a)      solicit the custom of; or

         (b)      facilitate the solicitation of; or

         (c)      do business with

         any Prospective Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services;
         or

         (a)      interfere; or

         (b)      endeavour to interfere,

         with their continuance of supplies to us and/or any company in the
         Group (or the terms relating to those supplies) by any Relevant
         Supplier.

20.3     NON-ENTICEMENT

         You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly
         at any time during the Relevant Period:

         (a)      entice away from us or any company in the Group; or

         (b)      endeavour to entice away from us or any company in the Group;
                  or

         (c)      employ or engage; or

         (d)      endeavour to employ or engage

         any Key Personnel.

20.4     The provisions of this Clause 20 shall constitute severable
         undertakings given for our benefit and the benefit of each company in
         the Group and may be enforced by us on behalf of any of them.

20.5     You will not at any time after the end of your employment directly or
         indirectly represent yourself as being in any way connected with or
         interested in the business of the Group (except, if it be true, as a
         shareholder of the Company or as a director of the Company).

                                       18
<PAGE>

20.6     You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Clause 20, in
         view of the nature of the businesses in which the Group is engaged, are
         reasonable and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests
         of the Group.

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                     PART G

                                  OTHER MATTERS

21.      DIRECTORSHIP

         You will not except with our consent during your employment resign your
         office as a director of the Company or any company in the Group or do
         anything which could lead to you being disqualified from continuing to
         act as a director.

22.      DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE

         The disciplinary rules applicable to your employment can be found in
         our disciplinary policy and may be varied by us from time to time. Our
         disciplinary policy does not form part of your contract and is not
         legally binding on us.

         In the event that you are dissatisfied with any disciplinary action
         taken against you or have any grievance relating to your employment you
         should refer the matter to the appropriate person or committee
         specified in our grievance procedure, who or which will give you a full
         and fair hearing and whose decision will be final and binding.

         Our disciplinary policy and grievance procedure are set out and
         available to you on our intranet site.

23.      NOTICES

         Any notice to be given under this Agreement may be given either
         personally or by registered post:

         o        to us at our registered office for the time being; or

         o        to you at your last known address.

         Any notice given by post will be effective on the second day (Sundays
         excepted) after it is posted. In proving that it was effective, it will
         be enough to prove that the notice was properly addressed and posted as
         a pre-paid first class letter.

24.      OTHER AGREEMENTS

         You acknowledge that there are no other agreements or arrangements
         whether written, oral or implied between the Company or any company in
         the Group and you relating to your employment; all such previous
         agreements or arrangements are cancelled. You are not entering into
         this Agreement in reliance on any representation not set out in this
         Agreement.

25.      COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS

         There are no collective agreements with trade unions which directly
         affect your terms and conditions.

26.      DATA PROTECTION

         You consent to us and the Group holding and processing both
         electronically and manually the data it collects which relates to you
         for the purposes of the administration and management of its employees
         and its business and for compliance with applicable procedures, laws
         and regulations. You also consent

                                       20
<PAGE>

         to the transfer of such personal information to other offices we or
         the Group may have or to other third parties whether or not outside the
         European Economic Area for administration purposes and other purposes
         in connection with your employment where it is (in our view) necessary
         or desirable for us to do so.

         You are also referred to our data protection policy, which is set out
         and available to you on our intranet site.

27.      GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement will be governed by and construed under English law and
         the Courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes
         which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement.

                                       21
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 1

         INTERNATIONAL POLICY

         This Schedule supplements the main terms and conditions of your
         employment set out in the main body of this Agreement and should also
         be read in conjunction with "Going Global with BOC - Your Guide to
         International Assignments" (the "Guidebook") from time to time, which
         is set out and available to you on our intranet site. You should read
         the Guidebook for a full explanation of the policies covering
         international assignments and definitions of the various terms used in
         this Schedule.

         DEFINITIONS

         In this Schedule:

         "Company" means the BOC Group plc

         "Home Country" means UK

         "Host Country" means Singapore

         COMMENCEMENT

         The proposed Start Date is set out in the Key Terms and is subject to
         prior receipt of:

         - any required work permit,

         - visas for you and the members your family accompanying you and
           any other authorizations which may be necessary, and

         - satisfactory medical reports for you.

         In the event that there is a delay to these formalities it may be
         necessary to re-arrange the proposed Start Date.

         DURATION

         The Assignment is to enable you to undertake of the duties of Chief
         Executive Officer, Process Gas Solutions, for such period as the
         Company requires. During the Assignment, your office location will be
         [DETAILS] or such other locations as we may from time to time require,
         and you will report to Mr A E Isaac, Chief Executive. Subject to the
         provisions of paragraphs 14,16,17 and 18, the assignment is expected to
         be for a period of 3 years from the Start Date but this period may be
         varied subject to mutual agreement between you and the Company.

         OBLIGATIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

         You must devote the whole of your working time and attention to the
         assignment and in consequence you are not permitted to engage in any
         other business activity in your host country or any other occupation
         undertaken for profit or gain.

                                       22
<PAGE>

         You will be expected to comply with local conditions of employment and
         administrative procedures including safety regulations, local working
         hours, works rules, and business expense claims.

         As a representative of BOC you will be expected to comply with the
         local laws, customs and regulations in your host country.

         SPONSORSHIP

         The Company sponsor for the purposes of this assignment will be the
         Group HR Director. The sponsor's role is described in the Guidebook. If
         you accept this offer you should arrange a meeting with your sponsor
         prior to commencing the assignment.

         REMUNERATION

         Your notional salary will be Pound Sterling300,000 per annum.

         Your assignment salary has been calculated using a market rate approach
         and is set out in the main body of this Agreement (your "Base Salary").
         Your assignment salary will be paid in Singapore Dollars at an initial
         exchange rate of 2.7819 Singapore Dollars to 1 UK Pound Sterling . The
         exchange rate will be reviewed annually on 01 January.

         Although we are not obliged to increase the Assignment Salary, it will
         be reviewed annually on 01 January and from time to time.

         BONUS

         Your bonus arrangements will continue as specified in your contract of
         employment, but will be based on the Assignment Salary, and will be
         made after prior deduction of Host Country hypothetical tax at the
         appropriate marginal rate.

         TAX ADVICE

         At the Company's expense, at the beginning of your assignment you will
         obtain tax advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers with respect to the
         relevant tax obligations. During your assignment, the Company will pay
         for relevant tax preparation assistance and tax reconciliation through
         PricewaterhouseCoopers.

         Subject to any local restrictions you may choose how you split the
         payment of your Base Salary between Home Country and Host Country
         currency, in line with the Guidebook.

         HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

         Your annual contractual holiday arrangements will continue. In
         addition, you will be entitled to public holidays as observed by the
         Company.

         The Company will provide you and the accompanying members of your
         family with annual business class return air tickets to Sydney,
         Australia. You may alternatively choose to be provided with an Annual
         Travel Budget as described in the Handbook. The Company will provide
         details of your Annual Travel Budget once you have commenced your
         assignment.

                                       23
<PAGE>

         MEDICAL COVER

         You and your family, whether resident in Singapore or elsewhere, will
         be covered for medical costs during the assignment under the BUPA
         International Scheme. Subject to the prior approval of your host
         company, costs for essential medical and dental treatment not covered
         under the scheme will be reimbursed. Any medical or dental costs you
         would normally expect to be personally liable for in Australia may be
         excluded.

         You and your family will cease to be covered by the BOC Group Medical
         Insurance Scheme from the time you take up the assignment.

         If you are absent from work due to illness or injury, you will continue
         to receive assignment salary and local benefits (less any Social
         Security benefits to which you may be entitled either in your
         Singapore, UK or Australia) for the first twelve weeks of such absence.
         Thereafter your host company may, at its discretion, ask me to
         terminate this assignment and repatriate you to a location to be
         determined,

         You are responsible for claiming benefits to which you are entitled in
         your Singapore, UK or Australia.

         In the event of the death or serious illness of a member of your or
         your wife's immediate family, your host company will provide you with a
         business class return air fare for compassionate leave.

         RELOCATION AND REPATRIATION

         The Company will provide business class air fares for you, and the
         members of your accompanying family, between your Host Country and
         Sydney, Australia at the end of your assignment or your employment, if
         your employment is terminated by the Company, except in accordance with
         Clause 17 of this Agreement.

         The cost of shipping a reasonable quantity of personal effects from the
         Host Country to Sydney, Australia will also be covered in accordance
         with the Guidebook.

         The Company will pay to you a disturbance allowance at the end of your
         assignment (including where your employment is terminated in the
         circumstances set out above) equivalent to one month's Base Salary.
         This is assigned to cover incidental expenses such as mail-diversion,
         movement of personal effects, etc.

         HOST COUNTRY HOUSING

         The Company will provide you with furnished accommodation and meet
         related costs in accordance with the Local Policy Schedule.

         You are responsible for the provision of soft furnishings including
         linen, kitchenware, crockery, glassware and minor electrical equipment.

         HOME COUNTRY HOUSING

         Neither the Host Company nor the Home Company assumes any
         responsibility for the disposal, renting, maintenance or any other
         matter relating to any real property that you may own, rent or purchase
         in your Home Country or elsewhere.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

         The Host Company will pay for private schooling for your children, as
         agreed with your Home Country Manager.

         HOME COUNTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

         You will continue to be eligible for the retirement, savings
         investment, and all other benefit plans for which you were eligible if
         you were not on assignment. Your contributions for these plans will be
         based on your notional base salary (or, in the case of pension, your
         notional salary for pension purposes as set out in paragraph 8 of the
         Agreement), and deductions will be made accordingly from that part of
         your salary paid in your Home Country.

         During this assignment you will continue to be covered by the BOC Group
         Personal Accident and Injury Scheme (which is, for the avoidance of
         doubt, in place of any comparable or similar cover that was formerly
         provided to you by the Company).

         COMPLETION OF ASSIGNMENT

         It is the Company's expectation that on successful completion of this
         assignment, you will move on to a position which will enable you to
         continue to develop your career and where BOC can benefit from the
         skills and experience you acquire while on assignment.

         The processes in place to facilitate this objective are described in
         the Guidebook.

         On return to your Home Country following successful completion of the
         assignment you will revert to your Home Company terms and conditions of
         employment as set out in the contract of employment dated 6 December
         2002 (but subject to your notional salary for the time being), and the
         additional benefits associated with your assignment will cease to
         apply.

         In extreme circumstances it may not be immediately possible to offer
         you an appropriate on-going position at the end of the assignment. If
         this is the case you will be guaranteed employment from the date of
         your return to your Home Company at your then notional salary and on
         the standard Home Company terms and conditions for the lesser of six
         months or until you secure another position. During this period every
         effort will continue to be made to place you in a suitable on-going
         position.

         In the unlikely event that no suitable on-going employment opportunity
         has been found at the end of six months, normal severance and notice
         conditions will apply.

         EARLY TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT

         Your assignment may be terminated early if:

         - you give not less than 3 months' written notice to your Home
           Company; or

         - the Company gives written notice to you to take effect either
           immediately or at any time stated in the notice if in  the absolute
           discretion of the Company, for any reason (including, but not limited
           to sickness or other

                                       25
<PAGE>

           incapacity), it is impracticable or undesirable for the
           assignment to continue; or

         - your employment is terminated in accordance with Clause 17 of
           this Agreement.

         On early termination of the assignment by the Company:

         - repatriation arrangements will apply as if the assignment had
           been completed; and

         - you will be reimbursed for unavoidable expense incurred as a
           result of termination for a maximum period of 3 months from
           repatriation.

         Where termination results from notice given by you or in accordance
         with Clause 17 of this Agreement, you will be responsible for all
         arrangements and costs associated with your repatriation.

         IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of
         the parties to it on the day and year first before written.

         Signed by......................              A E Isaac
         for and on behalf of
         the Company
         in the presence of:

         Witness R K Lourey

         Name    R Lourey

         Address Wimbledon

         I CONFIRM THAT I have read and understood Sections 1 and 2, and
         Schedule 1, and on that basis I accept the terms and conditions
         contained in this Agreement.

         Signed by you.................              J Bevan
         In the presence of:

         Witness R K Lourey

         Name    R Lourey

         Address Wimbledon

                                       26

<PAGE>

20 May 2003

Mr Andrew Bonfield
199 Highland Terrace
Princeton
NJ 08540
USA

Dear Andrew

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"). Nick Deeming,
Company Secretary, will be in touch shortly to make arrangements with you for
your induction programme:

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company is effective from 29
July 2003 and is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of the Company's
Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated pursuant to the terms
of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on 23 January 2004 and you shall then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by rotation
in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to be at the
Annual General Meeting in 2007. At that time, however, it may be agreed by you
and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders for a second
term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for the remainder of 2003 and for 2004 are
attached (Appendix 1). You will note that one board meeting each year is held at
an overseas BOC site location, with another held at a business site in the UK.
The remaining meetings are held at the corporate head office in Windlesham. The
Annual General Meeting is normally held in London on the third Friday in
January.

You are invited to become a member of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee
and Management Resources Committee. The Audit Committee will meet four times a
year, the Nomination Committee as required and the Management Resources
Committee meets immediately prior to most Board meetings.

We would anticipate a time commitment of 20 days per annum after your induction
programme, to enable you to fulfil your duties. You have indicated that you
consider you have sufficient time to devote to your BOC duties when taken with
your other business commitments. Should your commitments change during your term
of office you should advise either myself or Nick Deeming as soon as
practicable.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, a summary of which is contained in section 15 of
the attached folder.

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling37,000 per
annum of which Pound Sterling7,000, after tax, will, pursuant to an agreed
process, be invested in The BOC Group plc Ordinary shares. This sum will be
deemed to accrue from day to day, will be payable in equal monthly instalments
in arrears and is subject to deductions of national insurance and income tax
under the Inland Revenue PAYE regulations. You will also be reimbursed by the
Company for all expenses necessarily incurred in performing your duties.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 21 of the attached folder.

A personal details form is enclosed for your completion (Appendix 2) which will
provide all the necessary information to comply with the various regulations.
When completed return the form to our Company Secretarial Department.

The information will be used to make the necessary declarations and register
entries and to produce the Form 288(a) which will be sent to you for signature
to indicate your consent to act as a director. This form will then be filed with
the Registrar of Companies. This must be done within 14 days of the date of your
appointment.

Attached is a copy of the Directors' Reference Binder which contains information
likely to be useful to you in connection with your appointment as a director of
the Company.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person). If you do not
already hold shares in the Company which would meet this requirement, the shares
must be acquired within two months of the date of your appointment subject to
the regulations on dealing in the Company's securities set out in the next
paragraph.

When you wish to purchase the shares, using our brokers, Cazenove & Co Ltd, in
London may be the easiest way. Should you wish to use Cazenove their contact
details can be obtained from the Company Secretarial Department (01276 807759).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 17 and 18 of the enclosed Directors' Reference Binder.
However you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be
obtained from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to
Deal in the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should
be sent via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request
to be reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated
to you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a company's securities. You should be aware that the next
open periods for dealing will be from 15 May to 4 July and then 6 August to 30
September.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to a regulatory information service as required
by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

11.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Rob Margetts

Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: A R J Bonfield                   Date: .........3 June 2003.........

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
                            Dated 19th November 2002

                                THE BOC GROUP PLC

                               Anthony Eric Isaac

                     --------------------------------------

                                SERVICE AGREEMENT

                     --------------------------------------

<PAGE>

THIS AGREEMENT is made on the 19th day of November 2002

BETWEEN

THE BOC GROUP PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales
with registered number 22096 and with registered office Chertsey Road,
Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6HJ (the COMPANY); and

Anthony Eric Isaac, Sweetbriar, 38 Cranley Road, Burwood Park, Walton-on-Thames,
Surrey KT12 5BL (THE EXECUTIVE).

IT IS AGREED as follows:-

DEFINITIONS

1.     In this Agreement:

EFFECTIVE DATE means 19th November 2002;

EMPLOYMENT means the employment established by this Agreement;

GROUP COMPANY means any or, where the context so admits, all of (i) any holding
company of the Company from time to time, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company or
of any such holding company from time to time and (iii) any other company which
is a "related company" in the consolidated accounts of the Company and its
subdivisions;

HOLDING COMPANY, SUBSIDIARY, SUBSIDIARIES shall have the meanings given by
section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended).

EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES

2.1    The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve the
       Company as Chief Executive.

2.2    The Employment shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue
       unless and until terminated by the Company or the Executive (as
       appropriate) in accordance with clauses 8.4 or 11.

2.3    The Executive's employment with any Group Company counts as part of the
       Executive's period of continuous employment for statutory purposes, which
       period began on 17 October 1994.

2.4    During the Employment the Executive shall not act as director, employee
       or adviser to any other company, firm or organisation or engage in or
       carry on for profit or gain any other trade, business or occupation
       except with the previous consent in writing of the Company.

2.5    The Executive shall perform his duties hereunder at the offices of the
       Company at Chertsey Road, Windlesham, Surrey or at such other location
       within a 15 mile radius of Windlesham as the Company may from time to
       time require. The Executive shall not be obliged (except for visits in
       the ordinary course of his duties) to reside outside the United Kingdom.

<PAGE>

SALARY & BONUS

3.1    The salary of the Executive shall be Pound Sterling630,000 per annum
       payable monthly in arrears or such higher sum as the Company may from
       time to time determine. The salary shall be subject to deduction for
       contributions to the Company's pension fund, deductions required by law
       and any other deduction which the parties may from time to time agree.
       The Company reserves the right to deduct from the Executive's salary any
       amount of national insurance benefits receivable by the Executive in case
       of sickness. Payment shall be made direct to the Executive's bank.

3.2    The Executive shall participate in such annual and long term incentive
       arrangements as the Management Resources Committee of the Board shall,
       from time to time, determine and participation in any such arrangements
       shall be subject to the Rules in place from time to time. The Company
       reserves the right to vary, replace or withdraw annual and long term
       incentive arrangements at any time.

HOURS OF WORK

4.     The normal business hours of the Company, 37 hours per week, shall apply
       to the Executive, unless advised to the contrary, provided that the
       Executive shall work such other hours as may be necessary or appropriate
       from time to time to carry out his duties properly and effectively. The
       Executive shall devote the whole of his working time, attention and
       abilities exclusively to the business of the Company and shall in all
       respects obey and conform to the regulations from time to time issued by
       the Company and applicable to him and shall at all times faithfully serve
       the Company and the Group Companies and use his best endeavours to
       promote the interest thereof. The nature of your work is such that your
       working time cannot be measured or predetermined by us or can be
       predetermined by you. As such, the limit to working time of 48 hours per
       week on average will not apply to you.

HOLIDAYS

5.     Subject always to the requirement of the business, the Executive's annual
       holiday entitlement shall normally be 25 working days in each calendar
       year to be taken by prior arrangement with the Company and the statutory
       holidays normally observed by the Company. The Executive's entitlement to
       any holiday which is not taken by the Executive in the course of the
       calendar year in which it accrues shall lapse on expiry of the said year.
       No payment is made in lieu of holidays not taken and the Executive is not
       entitled to payment in lieu of holiday other than on termination of the
       Employment.

COMPANY CAR AND EXPENSES

6.1    To assist the Executive in carrying out his duties under the Employment,
       the Company shall during the Employment provide him with a car
       appropriate (in the opinion of the Company) to his responsibilities and
       position in the Company. The replacement of such car will be in
       accordance with the Company's car policy in force from time to time.

6.2    The Executive will take good care of the vehicle and will procure that
       the provisions and conditions of any policy of insurance are observed in
       all respects and will comply in full with the provisions of the Company's
       car

<PAGE>

       policy in force from time to time. In the event of any failure on the
       part of the Executive to comply with the provisions of this clause 6.2 or
       if at any time the Executive loses his driving licence, the Company
       reserves the right to require the Executive to return his company car,
       and shall be under no obligation to provide any replacement benefit.

6.3    The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all entertaining,
       travelling, hotel and other out of pocket expenses reasonably and
       properly incurred by him in or about the discharge of his duties
       hereunder.

PENSION SCHEME AND HEALTH SCHEME

7.1    During the Employment the Executive shall be eligible to belong to the
       Senior Executive Pension Scheme Level B up to the limit prescribed for
       "capped" employees. In addition, it is the intention of the Company that
       he will be covered by the terms of the BOC Group Capped Earnings Pension
       Plan, on the basis set out in the attached Schedule A. In the event that
       the Company is unable to fully implement Schedule A, it will establish
       alternative arrangements designed to achieve a similar outcome. The
       Executive will also be eligible to belong to the BOC Personal Accident
       Benefit Scheme. The Executive shall be eligible to belong to the schemes
       referred to in this clause 7 under the rules of the said schemes from
       time to time. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or restrict
       the rights of the Executive under these schemes. A contracting-out
       certificate is in force in respect of the Employment. Further details of
       the pension scheme and accident scheme may be obtained from the Pensions
       Department at Guildford.

7.2    During the Employment, the Executive and his immediate family shall be
       entitled to membership in the medical insurance scheme in force at any
       time and from time to time.

SICKNESS

8.1    If the Executive is absent from work as a result of sickness or injury he
       will notify the Chairman by telephone as soon as practicable on the first
       day of his absence or in the event of his being unable to do so as soon
       as reasonably practicable thereafter. A medical certificate signed by a
       practising medical practitioner must be submitted to the Personnel
       Department if the Executive is absent from work as a result of sickness
       or injury for more than 8 working days.

8.2    The Company will, subject to receipt of the appropriate certificate(s) in
       accordance with clause 8.1 and subject to the provisions of clause 8.4
       below, continue to pay the Executive at his normal rate of pay during any
       periods of absence through sickness or injury subject to the provisions
       of clause 3 above.

8.3    The Executive will not be entitled to be paid in respect of any period
       during which he has been absent without leave.

8.4    In the event of the Executive in the opinion of the Company becoming
       permanently incapacitated by bodily or mental illness or accident from
       properly discharging his duties as they were immediately prior to the
       said incapacity the Company may by twelve months' notice in writing
       terminate the Employment.

<PAGE>

8.5    Statutory sick pay ("SSP") will be paid by the Company where appropriate
       in accordance with the legislation in force at the time of absence. Any
       payment made by the Company under the foregoing provisions will also
       discharge its obligations to pay SSP. Further details of payment of SSP
       and of the requirements concerning notification of absence due to
       sickness can be obtained from the Personnel Department.

GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

9.1    A copy of the disciplinary rules and procedures of the Company in force
       from time to time can be obtained from the Group Personnel Department at
       Guildford. These rules and procedures do not form part of this Agreement
       and may be amended from time to time.

9.2    If the Executive either is dissatisfied with any disciplinary decision
       relating to him or wishes to seek to redress any grievance relating to
       the Employment he should appeal to the Chairman of the Company who will
       afford to the Executive the opportunity of a full and fair meeting and
       whose decision shall be final and binding.

SUSPENSION

10.    Subject to Clause 11.3, the Executive may be suspended by a resolution of
       the Management Resources Committee of the Company on full pay from the
       Employment at any time, provided that such suspension shall be for a
       period no longer than three months at any one time.

TERMINATION

11.1   The Employment may be terminated forthwith on written notice in the event
       of serious neglect or misconduct on the part of the Executive or breach
       of any term of this Agreement, in particular any breach of Sub-Clauses
       14.1, 14.2 14.3,14.5 and 14.6 or any conduct of the Executive
       inconsistent with the interests of the Company or any Group Company or in
       the event of an order disqualifying the Executive from acting as a
       Company Director. In the event of the Employment being terminated by the
       Company pursuant to this Clause 11.1, the Executive shall not be entitled
       to receive any payment from the Company except in respect of salary
       accrued due to the date of such termination.

11.2   In addition to the Company's entitlement pursuant to sub-clauses 8.4 and
       11.1 above of this Agreement and subject to the provisions of sub-clauses
       11.6 below, the Company may terminate the Employment at any time by, at
       its sole and absolute discretion, either:

       (a)    giving the Executive one years written notice of termination of
              the Employment ( the "Notice Period"); or

       (b)    paying the Executive at any time a sum in lieu of the unexpired
              portion of the Notice Period. Such sum shall be equivalent to the
              salary payable under paragraph 3.1 of this Agreement, bonus
              (payable by reference to the average of actual bonus payments, if
              any, over the previous two financial years provided that, where
              your employment is terminated in accordance with this paragraph
              within

<PAGE>

              five years of the date of this Agreement, this amount will be no
              less than the average of the actual bonuses paid for the Company's
              financial years 2000/01 and 2001/02) and a cash allowance in lieu
              of company car (each pro-rata to the unexpired portion of the
              notice period), and enhancing the pension benefits payable to or
              in respect of the Executive by calculating those benefits as if
              the Executive's pensionable service terminates at the end of the
              period by reference to which salary in lieu is paid.

       Where your employment continues during all part of the Notice Period
       then, for the purpose of the calculation of any bonus payment for such
       period, your personal performance rating will not be less than the
       average of your personal performance ratings over the previous two
       financial years.

       Where your employment is terminated by the Company in accordance with
       this paragraph 11.2 then, for the purpose of the exercise of share
       options granted prior to the date of this Agreement, you will be deemed
       to cease to be an Executive on the date 12 months after the expiry (or
       notional expiry) of the Notice Period.

11.3   Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 10 above, the Company shall have
       the right at any time, after either party has given notice of termination
       of the Employment, to require the Executive not to attend at any place of
       work or otherwise to suspend him from the performance of any duties or
       obligations hereunder.

11.4   The Employment shall terminate in any event without notice upon the
       Executive attaining his retirement age on 30th June 2005 (the "Retirement
       Date"). If the Retirement Date occurs prior to the expiry of the Notice
       Period, then the Executive will only be entitled to receive such notice
       (or payment in lieu of notice) for the period up to that date. The
       Employment may be extended beyond the Retirement Date by prior mutual
       agreement between the Company and the Executive.

11.5   The Company's right to make or procure a payment under the provisions of
       paragraph (b) of sub-clause 11.2 above is subject to the following:-

       (a)    the Company may deduct from such payment an amount equal to any
              sum owned by the Executive to the Company or any Group Company;

       (b)    the Company may deduct from such payment such amount as it may be
              required by law to so deduct before making such payment (including
              without limitation deducting income tax and national insurance);
              and

       (c)    the Company may require the Executive, before making any payment
              as above, to enter into such agreement as the Company may
              reasonably require whereby: (a) the Executive validly and
              effectively waives each and every claim the Executive has or may
              have against the Company and any Group Company and any of its or
              their directors or officers arising out of the termination of the
              Employment; and (b) confirming that the provisions contained in
              clauses 12,13 and 14 of this Agreement remain in full force and
              effect, notwithstanding the termination of this Employment.

<PAGE>

11.6   Notwithstanding the foregoing, references in this clause 11 to one year
       shall be construed as references to any shorter period that expires upon
       the Retirement Date.

11.7   The Executive may terminate the Employment upon six months' notice in
       writing expiring at any time.

11.8   Termination of this Agreement pursuant to sub-clause 8.4 above or this
       clause 11 shall not affect the Executive's entitlement to any accrued
       right or benefit under the rules from time to time of the schemes
       referred to in clause 7.

EMPLOYEE'S POSITION AS DIRECTOR

12.1   In the event of the Executive being or becoming a Director of the Company
       or of any Group Company then he shall be deemed to hold such
       directorships upon the terms of the Articles of Association of the
       Company concerned but at the same time to hold his executive appointment
       under the terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect
       any rights under the Articles of Association of the Company concerned to
       remove the Executive from his said directorship. Following such
       termination of any directorship the Executive shall continue to serve
       under the terms of this Agreement.

12.2   Upon termination of the Employment whether lawfully or in breach of
       contract, or on suspension in accordance with Clause 11.3, the Executive
       shall, at the request or of the Company, forthwith in writing under seal
       resign his position as a director of any Group Company without
       compensation for loss of office as such director, and should the
       Executive fail to do so, he hereby irrevocably authorises the Company to
       appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign any documents
       and do all things necessary or requisite to give effect thereto.

COMPANY PROPERTY

13.    On termination of the Employment the Executive shall, unless otherwise
       agreed, forthwith return to the Company any correspondence, documents,
       data and other property and information relating to the Company or Group
       Companies or their affairs remaining in the Executive's possession or
       under his control.

RESTRAINT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

14.1   The Executive shall keep secret and shall not at any time (whether during
       the Employment or after the termination of the Employment) use for his
       own or another's advantage, or reveal to any person, firm, company or
       organisation, and shall use his best endeavours to prevent the
       publication or disclosure of any of the trade secrets, business methods,
       computer systems or information which the Executive knew or ought
       reasonably to have known to be confidential concerning the business or
       affairs of (i) the Company, (ii) any Group Company, or (iii) any of its
       or their customers, so far as they shall have come to his knowledge
       during the Employment until the same has become public knowledge without
       fault on the part of the Executive. This obligation shall include (but
       not be limited to) information of a secret or confidential character
       relating to the plans, trade or business of the Company or any Group
       Company or to the methods, processes, formulae, appliances,

<PAGE>

       machinery or plant used by either it or them and any experiments or
       research carried out by it or them or by any person in its or their
       employment. The restrictions contained in this clause shall not operate
       so as to prevent the Executive from using his own personal skill in any
       business in which he may be lawfully engaged (subject to sub-clauses 14.7
       and 14.8 below) after the Employment is ended.

14.2   The Executive shall not, (whether during the Employment or after the
       termination of the Employment) except in the normal course of the
       Company's business, make any communications to the press or publish any
       material or include in any lecture or document any matter relating to the
       Company or any Group Company, or any matters with which the Company or
       any Group Company may be concerned, unless the Executive shall have
       previously and on each occasion obtained permission from the Company.

14.3   In the course of his duties as Chief Executive, the Executive may produce
       original work or designs or make inventions. The Executive shall promptly
       refer to the Company any original work, invention or design made or
       discovered or devised by him (either alone or with others) during or in
       consequence of his work with the Company or any Group Company and, at the
       business or that of any Group Company, do all things reasonably required
       of him to enable patent or other industrial property protection to be
       applied for and obtained either in the Company's name or as may be
       appropriate. Intellectual property rights arising from all work carried
       out by the Executive in the course of his normal (or specifically
       assigned) duties belong to the Company and its Group Companies.

14.4   The provisions of sub-clause 14.3 above do not prejudice any rights under
       the Patents Act 1977 in relation to any invention made by the Executive.

14.5   During the Employment the Executive shall not knowingly deal directly or
       indirectly in any shares of the Company or any Group Company except in
       accordance with the rules on share dealing from time to time in force in
       the Company.

14.6   Without prejudice to sub-clause 14.5 above, the Executive shall not deal
       directly or indirectly in any shares of any company at a time when by
       reason (directly or indirectly) of his Employment he is in possession of
       confidential information which if generally known might reasonably be
       expected materially to affect the market price of such shares not shall
       he pass on such information to any third party except upon the specific
       authority of the Company.

14.7   For a period of twelve months after the termination of this Agreement for
       any cause whatsoever, the Executive shall not undertake or carry on
       either along or in partnership or be employed by or be interested either
       directly or indirectly, other than as the holder of publicly quoted
       shares in any trade or business in which the Employee has been involved
       or with which the Employee has been concerned as part of the Employment
       and which is similar to and by virtue of its locations competes with, any
       trade or business being carried on (including, without limitation, trade
       or business being carried on anywhere in the world at the date of
       termination of the Employment by (i) the Company or (ii) any Group
       Company).

<PAGE>

14.8   For a period of twelve months after the termination of this Agreement the
       Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (whether on his own account
       or for any other person, firm, company or organisation) solicit or
       endeavour to entice away from the Company or any Group Company any
       person, firm company or organisation who or which in the preceding twelve
       months shall have been a customer of or in the habit of dealing with (i)
       the Company or (ii) any Group Company, and with whom the Executive has
       had direct dealings or personal contact as part of the Employment so as
       to harm the goodwill of the Company or any Group Company.

14.9   For a period of twelve months after the termination of the Employment the
       Executive shall not endeavour (whether on his own account or for any
       other person, firm, company or organisation) to entice away from the
       Company or any Group Company, any employee employed in any capacity at
       the date of termination of the Employment or at any time within a period
       of twelve months prior to that date and with whom the Executive has
       worked or with whom he has had personal contact as part of the
       Employment.

MISCELLANEOUS

15.1   The Executive acknowledges and agrees:

       (a)    that each of sub-clauses 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8
              and 14.9 constitute an entirely separate and independent
              restriction on him:

       (b)    that the duration, extent and application of each of the
              restrictions are no greater than is necessary for the protection
              of the interest of the Company; and

       (c)    that if any such restriction shall be adjudged by any court of
              competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable as going beyond
              what is reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the
              interests of the Company but would be valid if part of the wording
              thereof was deleted, the restriction shall apply within the
              jurisdiction of that court with such modifications as may be
              necessary to make it valid and effective.

15.2   This Agreement supersedes all previous agreements between the Company or
       any Group Company and the Executive relating to the terms or conditions
       of the Employment but shall not take effect so as to release the
       Executive from any obligation to any of the said companies relating o
       the protection of proprietary, secret or confidential material or
       information and related matters.

AS WITNESS the hands of the parties the day and year first before written.

SIGNED by..........................          Rob Margetts
Chairman, for and on
Behalf of the Company:

In the presence of:................          R K Lourey

<PAGE>

SIGNED AS A DEED and
DELIVERED by the Executive................        A E Isaac
In the presence of:

Witness:   R K Lourey

Name:      R K Lourey

Address:   Wimbledon

<PAGE>

4 October 2001

Mr Rob Margetts
Hill Farm
Camelsdale
Haslemere
Surrey
GU27 3SG

Dear Rob

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as deputy non
executive chairman of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as deputy non-executive chairman of the Company is effective
from 4 October 2001. You will, subject to Board resolution, be appointed
chairman of the board upon my retirement at the conclusion of the Annual General
Meeting in January 2002. Your appointment is on the terms, and subject to, the
conditions of the Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be
terminated pursuant to the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office as a director until the next Annual General
Meeting which is to be held on 18 January 2002 and you shall then be eligible
for re-election by the shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when
you retire by rotation in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently
expected to be at the Annual General Meeting in 2005. At that time, however, it
may be agreed by you and the Board that you stand for re-election by the
shareholders for a second term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As deputy non-executive chairman you are not an employee of the Company and, for
the avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims
against the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as deputy non-executive chairman include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

You should be available for BOC business for approximately one and a half days
per week. When and as required, you will be provided with suitable office
accommodation and secretarial support at our Windlesham premises.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for the remainder of 2001 and for 2002 are
attached (Appendix 1). The Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third
Friday in January.

You are invited to join and chair the Nomination Committee which meets as
required and you shall be entitled to attend, either at your request or that of
the relevant committee, the Management Resources Committee, the Audit Committee
and the Pensions Governance Committee.

You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity insurance for its
directors, details of which are available from the Company Secretary.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

As deputy non-executive chairman your fees will be paid at the rate of Pound
Sterling75,000 per annum, rising to Pound Sterling225,000 per annum upon your
appointment to Chairman of the Board. This sum will be deemed to accrue from day
to day, will be payable in equal monthly instalments in arrears and is subject
to deductions of national insurance and income tax under the Inland Revenue PAYE
regulations. You will also be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses
necessarily incurred in performing your duties.

Your fees will be reviewed annually in December by the Management Resources
Committee. The first review will be in December 2002.

The Company will contribute up to one third of the cost of maintaining your
Hammersmith office in recognition of the fact that to satisfactorily perform
your duties it will be necessary to use such offices. The Company will provide
you with suitable transport to enable you to meet your responsibilities to The
BOC Group.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the attached folder.

A personal details form is enclosed for your completion (Appendix 2) which will
provide all the necessary information to comply with the various regulations.
When completed return the form to our Company Secretarial Department.

The information will be used to make the necessary declarations and register
entries and to produce the Form 288(a) which will be sent to you for signature
to indicate your consent to act as a director. This form will then be filed with
the Registrar of Companies. This must be done within 14 days of the date of your
appointment.

Attached is a copy of the Directors' Reference Binder which contains information
likely to be useful to you in connection with your appointment as a director of
the Company.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person). If you do not
already hold shares in the Company which would meet this requirement, the shares
must be acquired within two months of the date of your appointment subject to
the regulations on dealing in the Company's securities set out in the next
paragraph.

When you wish to purchase the shares, using our brokers, Cazenove & Co Ltd, in
London may be the easiest way. Should you wish to use Cazenove their contact
details can be obtained from the Company Secretarial Department (01276 807759).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the enclosed Directors' Reference Binder.
However you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be
obtained from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to
Deal in the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should
be sent via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request
to be reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated
to you.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a company's securities. You should be aware that the next
open period for dealing will be from 15 November 2001 to 4 January 2002.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to the Company Announcements Office of The
London Stock Exchange as required by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

11.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

David John

Sir David John
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as deputy
non-executive chairman of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: Rob Margetts                          Date: ......4 - 10 - 01.........

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                            DATED 19TH NOVEMBER 2002

                                THE BOC GROUP PLC

                                       AND

                                   RENE MEDORI

                        --------------------------------

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                         -------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                               PAGE

<S>                                                                                              <C>
SECTION 1                                                                                        2
THE KEY TERMS                                                                                    2
SECTION 2                                                                                        4
PART A                                                                                           4
DEFINITIONS                                                                                      4
PART B                                                                                           6
MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS                                                                          6
1.  JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND START
    OF EMPLOYMENT                                                                                6
2.  DUTIES                                                                                       6
3.  OTHER INTERESTS                                                                              7
PART C                                                                                           8
BENEFITS                                                                                         8
4.  SALARY                                                                                       8
5.  BONUS AND INCENTIVES                                                                         8
6.  SHARE OPTIONS                                                                                8
7.  CAR                                                                                          9
8.  PENSION                                                                                      9
9.  EXPENSES                                                                                     9
10. HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAY PAY                                                                     9
11. SICKNESS AND SICK PAY                                                                        10
PART D                                                                                           11
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY                                                        11
12. CONFIDENTIALITY                                                                              11
13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS                                                                 11
PART E                                                                                           14
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT                                                                        14
14. NOTICE AND PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE                                                         14
15. GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION                                                                  15
16. DISMISSAL ON SHORT NOTICE                                                                    16
17. DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE                                                                     16
18. RETIREMENT                                                                                   17
PART F                                                                                           18
AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT / WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE                                         18
19. RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER
    OF SHARES                                                                                    18
20. RESTRICTIONS                                                                                 18
PART G                                                                                           21
OTHER MATTERS                                                                                    21
21. DIRECTORSHIP                                                                                 21
22. DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE                                                                     21
23. NOTICES                                                                                      21
24. OTHER AGREEMENTS                                                                             21
25. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS                                                                        22
26. DATA PROTECTION                                                                              22
27. GOVERNING LAW                                                                                22
SCHEDULE 1                                                                                       23
</TABLE>

                                       1
<PAGE>

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                                    SECTION 1

                                  THE KEY TERMS

            (to be read in conjunction with Section 2 and Schedule 1)

The terms and conditions contained in this Section 1, together with those
contained in Section 2 and Schedule 1, outline the main terms and conditions of
your employment and contain the particulars required by the Employment Rights
Act 1996.

<TABLE>

<S>                                          <C>
Employer:                                    The BOC Group plc, a company
                                             incorporated under the laws of
                                             England and Wales with registered
                                             number 22096 and with registered
                                             office Chertsey Road, Windlesham,
                                             Surrey GU20 6HJ (where we refer to
                                             The BOC Group plc in this contract
                                             we will use the "Company", "we",
                                             "us" or "our").

Employee:                                    Rene Medori (where we refer to you
                                             as the employee we will use "you"
                                             or "your").

Job Title:                                   Group Finance Director or such
(Clause 1)                                   other title as we may from time to
                                             time reasonably assign to you.

Effective Date:                              12 July 2000
(Clause 1)

Start Date of Continuous Employment:         7 December 1987
(Clause 1)

Normal place of work:                        The Company's offices in
(Clause 1)                                   Windlesham, Surrey, UK or at such
                                             other location within a 25 mile
                                             radius of Windlesham as we may from
                                             time to time require.

Normal hours of work:                        37.5 per week
(Clause 1)

Line Manager:                                Mr A E Isaac, Chief Executive
(Clause 2)

Base Salary:                                 Pound Sterling330,000 effective
(Clause 4)                                   1 June 2002

Pension:                                     Senior Executive Pension Scheme
(Clause 8)                                   ("SEPS") level: B

                                             In this employment, you will be
                                             subject to the pensions 'earning
                                             cap' imposed by the Finance Act
                                             1989. As your pensionable pay will
                                             be in excess of the earnings cap,
                                             if you join our Senior Executive
                                             Pension Scheme you will also be
                                             eligible for a supplementary
                                             payment as set out in the enclosed
                                             document entitled "Policy in
                                             respect of Capped Earnings". The
                                             supplement will be paid at the rate
                                             of 40% of your pensionable pay
                                             above the earnings cap.

Holiday:                                     25 days per calendar year.
(Clause 10)
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>
Notice Period:                             When given by the Company: 12 months.
(Clause 14)                                When given by you: 6 months.

Normal Retirement Age:                     60 years
(Clause 18)
</TABLE>

Additional company policies and procedures from time to time are set out and
available to you on our intranet site. The policies and procedures do not form
part of your contract of employment. However, you are expected to comply with
such policies and procedures to the extent that they apply to you.

If there is any conflict between this Agreement and any policy or procedure,
this Agreement will take priority.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 2

                                     PART A

                                   DEFINITIONS

In this Section 2:

o    "BOARD" means our board of directors from time to time of;

o    "BUSINESS" means our business or businesses or those of any company in the
     Group in or with which you have been involved or concerned at any time
     during the period of 12 months prior to the Restriction Date;

o    "COMPANY WORKS" means all Works authored, originated, conceived, written or
     made by you alone or with others (except only those Works which are
     authored, originated, conceived, written or made by you wholly outside the
     course of your employment);

o    "DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY" means you acting either alone or jointly with or
     on behalf of any other person, firm or company, whether as principal,
     partner, manager, executive, employee, contractor, director, consultant,
     investor or otherwise;

o    "GROUP" means the Company and any company which is from time to time an
     associated company of the Company. In this definition "ASSOCIATED COMPANY"
     means any subsidiary or a holding company of the Company or a subsidiary
     (other than the Company) of a holding company of the Company, and
     "SUBSIDIARY" and "HOLDING COMPANY" have the same meanings as in section 736
     of the Companies Act 1985;

o    "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS" means any and all patents, trade marks,
     signs and services marks, rights in designs, trade or business names or
     signs, copyrights, database rights and topography rights (whether or not
     any of these is registered and including applications for registration of
     any such thing) and all rights or forms of protection of a similar nature
     or having equivalent or similar effect to any of these which may exist
     anywhere in the world;

o    "KEY PERSONNEL" means any person who is at the Restriction Date, or was at
     any time during the period of 12 months prior to the Restriction Date,
     employed or engaged in the Business in an executive capacity and with whom
     you had material contact during that time;

o    "PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who has been
     engaged in negotiations, with which you have been personally involved, with
     us or a company in the Group with a view to purchasing goods and services
     from us or any company in the Group in the period of 12 months prior to the
     Restriction Date;

o    "RELEVANT CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
     during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a customer or client
     of ours or any company in the Group, with whom or which you dealt directly
     or for whom or which you were responsible on behalf of us or any company in
     the Group at any time during that period;

o    "RELEVANT GOODS OR SERVICES" means any goods or services competitive with
     those supplied by us or by any company in the Group in our, or in its,
     capacity as a gases business, at any time during the 12 months prior to the
     Restriction Date in the supply of which you were involved or concerned at
     any time during that period;

o    "RELEVANT PERIOD" means:

     (i)  for the purposes of Clause 20.1, the period of 6 months from the
          Restriction Date; and

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (ii) for the purposes of Clauses 20.2 and 20.3, the period of 12 months
          from the Restriction Date;

o    "RELEVANT SUPPLIER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
     during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a supplier of any
     goods or services (other than utilities and goods or services supplied for
     administrative purposes) to us or any company in the Group and with whom or
     which you had personal dealings during your employment other than in a
     minimal way;

o    "RESTRICTION DATE" means the earlier of the Termination Date and the start
     of any period of Garden Leave;

o    "TERMINATION DATE" means the date on which your employment terminates; and

o    "WORKS" means all works, designs, innovations, inventions, improvements,
     processes, get-up, trade marks and trade names.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                     PART B

                             MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS

1    JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND START OF
     EMPLOYMENT

     Your Job Title is specified in the Key Terms.

     Your normal working hours are specified in the Key Terms. However, you are
     required to work such additional hours as are reasonably necessary for the
     proper performance of your duties. You will not be paid for any hours
     worked in excess of your normal working hours.

     Your normal place of work is specified in the Key Terms. You will travel to
     such places inside or outside the United Kingdom as we may from time to
     time reasonably require, but you will not be obliged to reside or work
     outside the United Kingdom for a continuous period in excess of one month.

     The nature of your work is such that your working time cannot be measured
     or predetermined by us or can be determined by you. As such, the limit to
     working time of 48 hours per week on average will not apply to you.

     Your employment under the terms of this Agreement begins or began on the
     Effective Date set out in the Key Terms.

     Your Start Date of Continuous Employment is set out in the Key Terms.

2    DUTIES

     Your role, powers and duties will be those which the Board may from time to
     time properly assign to you, and you will report to the Line Manager
     specified in the Key Terms. You may be required to carry out additional
     duties or alternative, comparable roles either for us or the Group and
     either on a temporary or a permanent basis without additional remuneration.

     During your employment you will:

     (a)  faithfully and diligently and to the best of your ability exercise
          such powers and perform such duties as the Board may require, and
          comply with all limitations, rules and regulations the Board may
          notify to you;

     (b)  at all times endeavour to promote the interests and reputation of the
          Group;

     (c)  subject to any consent given by us under Clause 3 below, devote the
          whole of your time, attention and ability to your duties; and

     (d)  at all times keep us fully informed (in writing if so requested) of
          your conduct of our business or affairs and provide such explanations
          as we may require.

                                       6
<PAGE>

3    OTHER INTERESTS

     During your employment you will not, without first obtaining our written
     consent (and we will not unreasonably withhold our consent):

     (a)  undertake any other business or occupation; or

     (b)  become a director, employee or agent of any other company or firm or
          person; or

     (c)  hold a direct or indirect interest in any supplier or customer of any
          company in the Group; or

     (d)  hold an interest in any other company or firm other than a
          shareholding in any company in the Group or a shareholding not
          exceeding 5% in a company listed on a recognised stock exchange unless
          we require you not to do so in any particular case on the ground that
          such other company is or may be carrying on a business competing or
          tending to compete with any business of the Group.

     During your employment you will not knowingly deal directly or indirectly
     in any shares of the Company or any company in the Group except in
     accordance with our Guide for Dealing in the Securities of The BOC Group
     plc for Directors and Designated Employees from time to time, which is set
     out and available to you on request.

     This Clause 3 will not restrain, nor require our consent for, your personal
     involvement in a family business, trust or other concern, unless

     (a)  such involvement relates directly or indirectly, to the offer or
          provision of any Relevant Goods or Services or

     (b)  such involvement affects, or is likely to affect, your ability to
          devote your time and attention to your duties under Clause (2) above.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                     PART C

                                    BENEFITS

4    SALARY

     We will pay your Base Salary as set out in the Key Terms less tax, National
     Insurance contributions and any other withholdings or deductions required
     by law or agreed in advance.

     Your Base Salary accrues from day to day and we will pay this in equal
     instalments monthly in arrears direct to an account nominated by you.

     Your Base Salary includes any fees or remuneration to which you may be
     entitled as a director, nominee or representative of the Company or any
     company in the Group.

     Although we are not obliged to increase your Base Salary, it will be
     reviewed annually on 1 January and from time to time.

     By signing this agreement you hereby authorise us to deduct from your Base
     Salary any sums due from you to us.

5    BONUS AND INCENTIVES

     (a)  You will be eligible to participate in the BOC Group Variable
          Compensation Plan in accordance with its terms from time to time.
          Bonus payments under the BOC Group Variable Compensation Plan will
          depend upon our business performance and your personal performance.

          Bonus payments will be made less tax, National Insurance contributions
          and any other withholdings or deductions required by law. We reserve
          the right to vary, replace or withdraw the BOC Group Variable
          Compensation Plan at any time.

     (b)  You may participate in our annual and long term incentive arrangements
          as notified to you from time to time. Your participation will be
          subject to the rules of any such annual and long term incentive
          arrangements. We reserve the right to vary, replace or withdraw the
          annual and long-term incentive arrangements at any time.

6    SHARE OPTIONS

     If at any time you are granted options under a share option scheme of ours,
     those options will be subject to the rules of that scheme in force from
     time to time. The rules of any such option scheme will not form part of
     your contract of employment. If your employment terminates for any reason
     you will not be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or
     benefit or prospective right or benefit under any such scheme which you may
     otherwise have enjoyed.

     Where your employment is terminated by the Company in accordance with
     Clause 14 of this Agreement then, for the purpose of the exercise of share
     options granted prior to the date of this Agreement, you will be deemed
     to cease to be an Executive on the date 12 months after the expiry (or
     notional expiry) of the Notice Period.

                                       8
<PAGE>

7    CAR

     We will provide you with a car, or the equivalent financial benefit, in
     accordance with our Car Scheme and Car Holders Guide from time to time,
     which are set out and available to you on our intranet site. You may elect
     instead to receive a monthly cash allowance in lieu of a car.

     You will observe the provisions and conditions of any policy of insurance
     and our Car Scheme and Car Holders Guide in force from time to time.

8    PENSION

     You will be eligible to participate in our Senior Executive Pension Scheme
     ("SEPS") at the level indicated in the Key Terms, subject to its rules from
     time to time.

     Joining SEPS is not a condition of employment and you may wish to make, or
     continue with, alternate personal pension arrangements.

     An outline of the main features of SEPS will be provided to you with this
     Agreement, together with an application for membership form. Please forward
     the form, together with a copy of your birth certificate, to the HR
     Services Department at Guildford.

     The documents provided to you also refer to a lump-sum death-in-service
     benefit. It is our policy to cover all employees for this benefit,
     regardless of whether they join SEPS.

9    EXPENSES

     We will reimburse any expenses reasonably incurred by you in the proper
     performance of your duties, subject to production of valid receipts with
     expenses claim documentation in accordance with our expenses policy.

10   HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAY PAY

     Our holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

     For each full calendar year you are entitled to the number of days' paid
     holiday set out in the Key Terms, in addition to public holidays. If you
     leave or join us during a calendar year, your holiday entitlement will be
     calculated on a pro rata basis.

     Where accrued holiday cannot be taken on termination of employment, payment
     in lieu of holiday will be made in accordance with your statutory
     entitlement under the Working Time Regulations 1998. Where you have taken
     holiday in excess of your holiday entitlement a sum equivalent to any
     salary received for holiday taken in excess of your holiday entitlement
     will be deducted by us from any sums due to you on the termination of your
     employment calculated on the basis of 1/260th of your current annual Base
     Salary for each day taken in excess of your holiday entitlement.

     Your holiday dates should be agreed in advance. Any holiday not taken in
     the calendar year in which it accrues may be carried into the following
     calendar year but must be used by the end of March in the following
     calendar year, after which it will lapse. No payment will be made in lieu
     of untaken holiday except on termination of employment.

     We may require you to take any unused holiday entitlement during your
     Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave, even if booked to be taken
     after the end of the Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave.

                                       9
<PAGE>

11   SICKNESS AND SICK PAY

     Subject to compliance with our sickness policy from time to time, if you
     are absent from work due to sickness you will be entitled to receive at our
     discretion Company sick pay (which includes statutory sick pay) in
     accordance with our sickness policy. Our sickness policy is set out and
     available to you on our intranet site.

     We may require you to undergo a medical examination by a medical
     practitioner appointed by us at any time. We will pay the costs of any such
     medical examination, and you agree that the medical report may be disclosed
     to and discussed with us.

     You are eligible to join our private medical insurance scheme, details of
     which are set out and available to you on our intranet site, subject to the
     rules of such scheme from time to time.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                     PART D

                    CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

12   CONFIDENTIALITY

     You will at all times (both during and after the end of your employment)
     keep confidential all private information about the Company (or about any
     other company or business in the Group), including technical and financial
     information, which you may have acquired while in our employment. You will
     not use such information for your own benefit or for the benefit of any
     business not within the Group. You will keep such information confidential
     to yourself and your immediate supervisor, unless otherwise instructed by
     us. Such information includes (without limitation) the following:

     (a)  the business methods and information of any member of the Group
          (including, without limitation, prices charged, discounts given to
          customers or obtained from suppliers, product development, marketing
          and advertising programmes, costings, budgets, turnover, sales targets
          and other financial information);

     (b)  lists and particulars of the Group's suppliers and customers and the
          individual contacts at such suppliers and customers;

     (c)  details and terms of our agreements with suppliers and customers;

     (d)  secret manufacturing or production processes and know-how employed by
          any member of the Group or their suppliers; and

     (e)  confidential details as to the design of the Group's or its suppliers'
          products and inventions or developments relating to future products.

     These restrictions will not restrict you from using your own personal skill
     in any business in which you may lawfully be engaged after termination of
     your employment.

     You will not, after the termination of your employment, or during your
     employment (except in the ordinary course of your duties), make any
     communication to the press or publish any material or include in any
     lecture or document any matter relating to us or any company in the Group,
     or any matters with which we or any company in the Group may be concerned,
     unless you have previously and on each occasion obtained permission from
     us.

13   INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

13.1 All Company Works shall vest in and be owned by us immediately upon their
     creation. It will be part of your normal duties to:

                                       11
<PAGE>

     (a)  consider in what manner and by what new methods or devices our
          products, services, processes, equipment or systems with which you are
          concerned or for which you are responsible might be improved; and

     (b)  promptly disclose to us full details of any invention or improvement
          which you make or discover in the course of your duties including,
          without limitation, details of all Company Works; and

     (c)  further our interests

     with the intent that subject to applicable law we will be entitled to
     ownership of any Company Works and to the exclusive use of them free of
     charge and any third party rights.

13.2 If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to us
     all of your right, title and interest in the Company Works together with
     all of your right, title and interest in any and all Intellectual Property
     Rights which might exist in the Company Works.

13.3 If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to us all
     future copyright in the Company Works and you agree that all such future
     copyright will vest in us by operation of law.

13.4 You irrevocably and unconditionally waive, in our favour, and in favour of
     our licensees and successors-in-title, any and all moral rights conferred
     on you in relation to the Company Works (existing or future) and any and
     all other moral rights under any legislation now existing or in future
     enacted in any part of the world. You will, at our request and expense,
     take all steps that may be necessary or desirable to us to enforce against
     any third party your moral rights in any of the Company Works.

13.5 You acknowledge that these covenants will be treated as good consideration
     and we will be the proprietor of any design which forms part of the Company
     Works.

13.6 Nothing in this Clause 13 shall be construed as restricting your or our
     rights under sections 39 to 43 (inclusive) of the Patents Act 1977.

13.7 You will not knowingly do anything to imperil the validity of any patent or
     protection or any patent application therefor relating to any of the
     Company Works but will at our cost render all possible assistance to us
     both in obtaining and in maintaining such patents or other protection.

13.8 You will not either during your employment or afterwards exploit or assist
     others to exploit any of the Company Works or any invention or improvement
     which you may make or discover in the course of your duties.

13.9 You irrevocably authorise us as your attorney for the purposes of this
     Clause 13 to use your name and to sign and to execute any documents or do
     any thing on your behalf (or where permissible to obtain the patent or
     other protection in our own name or in that of our nominees in relation to
     any of the Company Works).

                                       12
<PAGE>

13.10 You will both during your employment under this Agreement and afterwards,
      at our request and expense, do all things and execute all documents
      necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 13.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                     PART E

                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

14   NOTICE AND PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE

     In order to terminate your employment under this Agreement, you must give
     to us in writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the Key Terms.

     Subject to Clauses 16,17 and 18, you are entitled to receive from us in
     writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the Key Terms. Where
     your employment continues during all part of the Notice Period then, for
     the purpose of the calculation of any bonus payment for such period, your
     personal performance rating will not be less than the average of your
     personal performance ratings over the previous two financial years.

     After notice has been given in accordance with this Agreement or following
     any period of Garden Leave under Clause 15, we may at our discretion
     terminate your employment by paying you a sum in lieu of the unexpired
     portion of the Notice Period. Such payment will be made as soon as
     reasonably practicable and shall be equivalent to the aggregate of:

     (a)  your Base Salary;

     (b)  your bonus (calculated by reference to the average of actual bonus
          payments, if any, over the previous two financial years provided that,
          where your employment is terminated in accordance with this paragraph
          within five years of the date of this Agreement, this amount will be
          no less than the average of the actual bonuses paid for the Company's
          financial years 2000/01 and 2001/02).

     (c)  the cash allowance in lieu of your Company car;

     (d)  the salary supplement on pensionable earnings above the pensions cap;
          and

     (e)  your pension (calculated in accordance with the paragraphs below)

     each pro rata to the unexpired portion of the Notice Period, and shall be
     deemed to include compensation for any other payments or benefits which you
     might otherwise have received during the Notice Period, other than pension
     benefits (which are dealt with below). The payment shall be subject to
     deductions of income tax and National Insurance as appropriate, together
     with any amounts you owe to us. You will not under any circumstances have
     any right to receive a payment in lieu of the Notice Period unless we have
     exercised our option to do so.

     If your employment is terminated by paying you a sum in lieu of the
     unexpired portion of the Notice Period, you will also be entitled (subject
     to relevant Inland Revenue limits and to the rules of SEPS from time to
     time) to pension and lump sum benefits which are determined in accordance
     with the rules from time to time of SEPS that apply to an individual of
     your age at the date of termination but calculated as though you had a
     period of Pensionable Service (as defined in the rules of SEPS) which was
     equal to your actual Pensionable Service plus the unexpired portion of the
     Notice Period. For the avoidance of doubt, the benefits will be based on
     your Pensionable Salary (as defined in the rules of SEPS) at the date of
     termination.

     To the extent that the pension and lump sum benefits to which you are
     entitled under the preceding paragraph exceed the benefits to which you are
     entitled under SEPS, we will, at our sole discretion:

     (i)   procure that your benefits from SEPS are enhanced accordingly; or

                                       14
<PAGE>

     (ii)  pay you an amount equal to the difference between the capital value
           of the benefits to which you are entitled under the preceding
           paragraph and the capital value of the benefits to which you are
           entitled under SEPS as at the date of termination; or

     (iii) procure that your benefit from SEPS is enhanced to an extent
           determined by us and pay you an amount equal to the difference
           between the capital value of the benefit to which you are entitled
           under the preceding paragraph and the capital value of the benefit
           that you are entitled to under SEPS following such enhancement. This
           amount will not be grossed up for tax purposes.

     The capital value of the benefits referred to in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii)
     above will be calculated using the commutation factor used by SEPS on the
     date of termination appropriate for individuals of your age on the date of
     termination. Such commutation factor will be adjusted to include provision
     for a contingent spouse's pension by the appropriate factor from the
     relevant standard scale of factors for a contingent spouse's pension used
     by SEPS on the date of termination.

     You will be responsible for any income tax or other statutory deductions
     payable on any sums paid to you under sub-clause (ii) or (iii).

15   GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION

     We may at any time or from time to time suspend you from the performance of
     your duties and/or exclude you from any of the premises of the Group:

     (a)  during all or any part of your Notice Period (defined as a period of
          "GARDEN LEAVE") where we reasonably believe that you are, or will be
          at any time during your Notice Period, engaged, concerned or
          interested in any business concern in circumstances requiring our
          prior written consent under Clause 20.1; or

     (b)  for no longer than one month at any one time, in circumstances in
          which we reasonably believe that you are guilty of misconduct or are
          in breach of this Agreement and in order that the circumstances giving
          rise to that belief may be investigated (defined as a period of
          "SUSPENSION").

     We are not obliged to give you any powers or duties or to provide any work
     for you. During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension we may appoint any
     other individual to perform your duties.

     Base Salary and other benefits will continue to be paid during any period
     of Garden Leave or Suspension.

     During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension, you will:

     (a)  be bound by the provisions of this Agreement (including your
          obligation of confidentiality) and must continue at all times to
          conduct yourself with good faith towards us and not do anything that
          is harmful to us or any company in the Group;

     (b)  not contact or deal with customers, suppliers or employees of any
          member of the Group or enter onto the premises of any member of the
          Group without the prior written consent of your Line Manager; and

     (c)  remain available to perform any reasonable duties required by us; if
          you do not, we will not be obliged to pay your Base Salary and other
          benefits during any period in which you are not available.

                                       15
<PAGE>

16   DISMISSAL ON SHORT NOTICE

     If you become eligible for an ill-health pension under SEPS, we may
     terminate your employment by giving to you in writing not less than one
     half of the Notice Period set out in the Key Terms.

     If in our reasonable opinion you become permanently incapacitated by bodily
     or mental illness or accident from properly performing your duties, and you
     are not eligible for an ill-health pension, we may terminate your
     employment by giving to you in writing not less than the Notice Period set
     out in the Key Terms.

17   DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE

     We may summarily terminate your employment without notice or any
     compensation or payment in lieu if you:

     (a)  are convicted of any criminal offence other than a minor misdemeanour,
          or an offence under road traffic legislation for which a penalty other
          than imprisonment is imposed; or

     (b)  commit any act of dishonesty or serious or persistent misconduct, any
          act of gross negligence or other material breach or non-observance of
          this Agreement; or

     (c)  are declared bankrupt or enter into any arrangement with or for the
          benefit of your creditors; or

     (d)  are guilty of conduct which is inconsistent with our interests or the
          interests of any company in the Group; or

     (e)  become a patient under any mental health statute; or

     (f)  are to become disqualified from being a director by reason of an order
          made by any competent court (except a court of a country or
          jurisdiction which the parties may agree, from time to time, as being
          excluded from this provision).

     Your entitlements to Base Salary and all other benefits will cease on the
     day your employment is summarily terminated.

                                       16
<PAGE>

18   RETIREMENT

     Your employment will terminate automatically on the date when you reach
     your Normal Retirement Age, as set out in the Key Terms.

     If the date when you reach your Normal Retirement Age occurs prior to the
     expiry of the Notice Period, then you will only be entitled to receive such
     notice (or payment in lieu of notice) for the period up to that date.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                     PART F

            AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT / WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE

19   RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER OF SHARES

     Unless otherwise agreed, at the end of your employment or on your being put
     on Garden Leave for whatever reason you must return all documents, computer
     files or tapes, credit cards, computers, mobile phones, company cars and
     all other items of property in your possession or control belonging to, or
     containing any confidential information of, us or any company in the Group
     or its customers or suppliers.

     At the end of your employment or on your being put on Garden Leave for
     whatever reason you must on request:

     (a)  resign any directorship or other office held by you in the Company or
          any company in the Group; and

     (b)  transfer to us or as we may direct any shares or other securities held
          by you as nominee or trustee for the Company or any company in the
          Group without payment in either case.

     If you fail to do so within one week of request, you irrevocably authorise
     us as your attorney to appoint a person in your name and on your behalf to
     execute any documents or do any things necessary for such purpose(s).

20   RESTRICTIONS

20.1 NON-COMPETITION

     Without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement you will not
     without our prior written consent directly or indirectly at any time within
     the Relevant Period engage or be concerned or interested in any business
     concern which (a) competes or (b) will at any time during the Relevant
     Period compete with the Business. This clause will not restrain you from
     being engaged or concerned in any business insofar as your duties or work
     shall relate solely:

     (i)  to geographical areas where the business concern is not in competition
          with the Business; or

     (ii) to services or activities of a kind other than involving the Relevant
          Goods or Services.

20.2 NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DEALING

     You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly at
     any time within the Relevant Period:

                                       18
<PAGE>

     (a)  solicit the custom of; or

     (b)  facilitate the solicitation of; or

     (c)  do business with

     any Relevant Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Service; or

     (a)  solicit the custom of; or

     (b)  facilitate the solicitation of; or

     (c)  do business with

     any Prospective Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services; or

     (a)  interfere; or

     (b)  endeavour to interfere,

     with their continuance of supplies to us and / or any company in the Group
     (or the terms relating to those supplies) by any Relevant Supplier.

20.3 NON-ENTICEMENT

     You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly at
     any time during the Relevant Period:

     (a)  entice away from us or any company in the Group; or

     (b)  endeavour to entice away from us or any company in the Group; or

     (c)  employ or engage; or

     (d)  endeavour to employ or engage

     any Key Personnel.

20.4 The provisions of this Clause 20 shall constitute severable undertakings
     given for our benefit and the benefit of each company in the Group and may
     be enforced by us on behalf of any of them.

20.5 You will not at any time after the end of your employment directly or
     indirectly represent yourself as being in any way connected with or
     interested in the business of

                                       19
<PAGE>

     the Group (except, if it be true, as a shareholder of the Company or as a
     director of the Company).

20.6 You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Clause 20, in view
     of the nature of the businesses in which the Group is engaged, are
     reasonable and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests of
     the Group.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                     PART G

                                  OTHER MATTERS

21.  DIRECTORSHIP

     You will not except with our consent during your employment resign your
     office as a director of the Company or any company in the Group or do
     anything which could lead to you being disqualified from continuing to act
     as a director.

22.  DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE

     The disciplinary rules applicable to your employment can be found in our
     disciplinary policy and may be varied by us from time to time. Our
     disciplinary policy does not form part of your contract and is not legally
     binding on us.

     In the event that you are dissatisfied with any disciplinary action taken
     against you or have any grievance relating to your employment you should
     refer the matter to the appropriate person or committee specified in our
     grievance procedure, who or which will give you a full and fair hearing and
     whose decision will be final and binding.

     Our disciplinary policy and grievance procedure are set out and available
     to you on our intranet site.

23.  NOTICES

     Any notice to be given under this Agreement may be given either personally
     or by registered post:

     o    to us at our registered office for the time being; or

     o    to you at your last known address.

     Any notice given by post will be effective on the second day (Sundays
     excepted) after it is posted. In proving that it was effective, it will be
     enough to prove that the notice was properly addressed and posted as a
     pre-paid first class letter.

24.  OTHER AGREEMENTS

     You acknowledge that there are no other agreements or arrangements whether
     written oral or implied between the Company or any company in the Group and
     you relating to your employment; all such previous agreements or
     arrangements are cancelled. You are not entering into this Agreement in
     reliance on any representation not set out in this Agreement.

                                       21
<PAGE>

25.  COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS

     There are no collective agreements with trade unions which directly affect
     your terms and conditions.

26.  DATA PROTECTION

     You consent to us and the Group holding and processing both electronically
     and manually the data it collects which relates to you for the purposes of
     the administration and management of its employees and its business and for
     compliance with applicable procedures, laws and regulations. You also
     consent to the transfer of such personal information to other offices we or
     the Group may have or to other third parties whether or not outside the
     European Economic Area for administration purposes and other purposes in
     connection with your employment where it is (in our view) necessary or
     desirable for us to do so.

     You are also referred to our data protection policy, which is set out and
     available to you on our intranet site.

27.  GOVERNING LAW

     This Agreement will be governed by and construed under English law and the
     Courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may
     arise out of or in connection with this Agreement.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                                   RELOCATION

     This schedule supplements the main terms and conditions of your employment
     set out in the main body of this Agreement.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                      <C>
Education Support                        The Company will cover the cost of school fees for your children until the
                                         end of their final year of secondary education when they are age 18 and
                                         travel costs to the United States should they pursue tertiary education in
                                         the United States. These fees will be paid directly by you and the Company
                                         will pay you a supplement in your salary to reimburse you for your
                                         outgoings. This supplement will be paid monthly and grossed up to cover
                                         income tax. You should advise the Company on an annual basis before the
                                         start of the school academic year on the level of support required so that
                                         the supplement can be amended appropriately.

Housing Support Costs                    The Company will pay full housing costs, in line with Company policy,
                                         initially for a period of three years commencing 14 August 2000 until 30
                                         September 2003.

Specific Relocation Costs                The Company has agreed to directly reimburse you and cover any
                                         tax liability on the following costs incurred as a result of your
                                         relocation from Murray Hill, New Jersey to the UK:-

                                         (a)  Sales costs in the US - All costs e.g. Closing costs, legal fees,
                                              realtor fees.

                                         (b)  Transfer costs - transfer and storage.

                                         (c)  Purchase Costs - survey fees,
                                              legal and search fees, stamp duty,
                                              mortgage arrangement fees,
                                              mortgage indemnity fees in the UK.

                                         (d)  Bridging loan - the Company will
                                              cover any interest on a bridging
                                              loan should you find a new
                                              property to purchase in the UK
                                              prior to sale in the US.

                                         (e)  Disturbance Allowance - A sum of
                                              Pound Sterling22,000 net will be
                                              paid to cover furnishings etc in
                                              your August 2000 salary payment.
                                              This will be paid in your August
                                              2000 salary payment.

Other Items                              Given your international transfer
                                         to the UK and the complexity of your
                                         ongoing remuneration, the Company will
                                         fund advice on completing your tax
                                         return on an ongoing basis. This will
                                         normally be capped at Pound
                                         Sterling2,000 per annum.

</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of
         the parties to it on the day and year first before written.

         Signed by.......................        A E Isaac
         for and on behalf of
         the Company
         in the presence of:

         Witness   R K Lourey

         Name      R K Lourey

         Address   Wimbledon

         I confirm that I have read and understood Sections 1 and 2 and Schedule
         1, and on that basis I accept the terms and conditions contained in
         this Agreement.

         Signed by you                               Rene Medori
         in the presence of:
                                                     19-11-02

         Witness    R Lourey

         Name       R K Lourey

         Address    Wimbledon

                                       24

<PAGE>

9 October 2002

Mr Roberto G Mendoza
115 67th Street
New York
N.Y. 10021
USA

Dear Roberto

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company is effective from 9
October 2002 and is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of the
Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated pursuant to
the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on 17 January 2003 and you shall then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by rotation
in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to be at the
Annual General Meeting in 2006. At that time, however, it may be agreed by you
and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders for a second
term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for the remainder of 2002 and for 2003 are
attached (Appendix 1). The Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third
Friday in January.

You are invited to become a member of the Management Resources Committee which
meets immediately prior to most Board meetings. I would also invite you to join
the Nomination Committee and the Audit Committee which meet as required.

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the Company
Secretary.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling30,000 per
annum. This sum will be deemed to accrue from day to day, will be payable in
equal monthly instalments in arrears and is subject to deductions of national
insurance and income tax under the Inland Revenue PAYE regulations. You will
also be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses necessarily incurred in
performing your duties.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the attached folder.

A personal details form is enclosed for your completion (Appendix 2) which will
provide all the necessary information to comply with the various regulations.
When completed return the form to our Company Secretarial Department.

The information will be used to make the necessary declarations and register
entries and to produce the Form 288(a) which will be sent to you for signature
to indicate your consent to act as a director. This form will then be filed with
the Registrar of Companies. This must be done within 14 days of the date of your
appointment.

Attached is a copy of the Directors' Reference Binder which contains information
likely to be useful to you in connection with your appointment as a director of
the Company.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person). If you do not
already hold shares in the Company which would meet this requirement, the shares
must be acquired within two months of the date of your appointment subject to
the regulations on dealing in the Company's securities set out in the next
paragraph.

When you wish to purchase the shares, using our brokers, Cazenove & Co Ltd, in
London may be the easiest way. Should you wish to use Cazenove their contact
details can be obtained from the Company Secretarial Department (01276 807759).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the enclosed Directors' Reference Binder.
However you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be
obtained from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to
Deal in the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should
be sent via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request
to be reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated
to you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

company's securities. You should be aware that the next open period for dealing
will be from 13 November 2002 to 3 January 2003.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to a Regulatory News Service as required by the
UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

11.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Rob Margetts

Rob Margetts
Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: R G Mendoza                      Date: .........Oct 22, 2002.......

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
23 January 2002

Mr Matthew F C Miau
11F. No.187 Tiding Blvd
Sec 2 Neihu
Taipei
Taiwan
ROC

Dear Matthew

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company is effective from 23
January 2002 and is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of the
Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated pursuant to
the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on 17 January 2003 and you shall then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by rotation
in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to be at the
Annual General Meeting in 2006. At that time, however, it may be agreed by you
and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders for a second
term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group other than the joint
venture BOC Leinhwa Industrial Gases Company Limited or any other company within
that joint venture group of companies.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for 2002 is attached (Appendix 1). The
Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third Friday in January.

You are invited to become a member of the Management Resources Committee which
meets immediately prior to most Board meetings and, sometimes, additionally at
the end of November.

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the Company
Secretary.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling30,000 per
annum. This sum will be deemed to accrue from day to day, will be payable in
equal monthly instalments in arrears and is subject to deductions of national
insurance and income tax under the Inland Revenue PAYE regulations. You will
also be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses necessarily incurred in
performing your duties.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the attached folder.

A personal details form is enclosed for your completion (Appendix 2) which will
provide all the necessary information to comply with the various regulations.
When completed return the form to our Company Secretarial Department.

The information will be used to make the necessary declarations and register
entries and to produce the Form 288(a) which will be sent to you for signature
to indicate your consent to act as a director. This form will then be filed with
the Registrar of Companies. This must be done within 14 days of the date of your
appointment.

Attached is a copy of the Directors' Reference Binder which contains information
likely to be useful to you in connection with your appointment as a director of
the Company.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person). If you do not
already hold shares in the Company which would meet this requirement, the shares
must be acquired within two months of the date of your appointment subject to
the regulations on dealing in the Company's securities set out in the next
paragraph.

When you wish to purchase the shares, using our brokers, Cazenove & Co Ltd, in
London may be the easiest way. Should you wish to use Cazenove their contact
details can be obtained from the Company Secretarial Department (01276 807759).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the enclosed Directors' Reference Binder.
However you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be
obtained from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to
Deal in the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should
be sent via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request
to be reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated
to you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

company's securities. You should be aware that the next open period for dealing
will be from 6 February 2002 to 12 April 2002.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to the Company Announcements Office of The
London Stock Exchange as required by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

11.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Rob Margetts

Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: Matthew F C Miau                   Date: ......23 Jan 2002............

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

27 November 2001

Mr C J O'Donnell
Smith & Nephew
Heron House
15 Adam Street
London
WC2N 6LA

Dear Chris

The following sets out the principal terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc ("the Company"):

1.     TERM OF OFFICE

Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company, which was effective
from 19 March 2001, is on the terms, and subject to, the conditions of the
Company's Articles of Association. Accordingly, it may be terminated pursuant to
the terms of the Articles.

You will initially hold office until the next Annual General Meeting which is to
be held on 18 January 2002 and you shall then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. Your term of office will then expire when you retire by rotation
in accordance with the Articles of Association, currently expected to be at the
Annual General Meeting in 2005. At that time, however, it may be agreed by you
and the Board that you stand for re-election by the shareholders for a second
term.

On termination of your appointment, you undertake to resign from all offices
held by you in any companies forming part of The BOC Group.

As a non-executive director you are not an employee of the Company and, for the
avoidance of doubt, you accept and agree that you will have no claims against
the Company or any company forming part of The BOC Group (each a "Group
Company") on termination of your appointment subject only to the terms set out
in paragraph 3 below.

2.     DUTIES

Your duties as a non-executive director include, but are not limited to,
attendance at all Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and meetings of
board committees to which you are appointed. You may also be requested to attend
meetings with third parties.

The schedule of Board meeting dates for 2002 is attached (Appendix 1). The
Annual General Meeting is normally held on the third Friday in January.

You are a member of the Management Resources Committee which meets immediately
prior to most Board meetings and, sometimes, additionally at the end of
November, and you are also a member of the Audit Committee which meets four
times a year. With effect from 18 January 2002 you will become Chairman of the
Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee.

At all times you will use your best endeavours to promote the interests of the
Company. You should note that the Company currently maintains indemnity
insurance for its directors, details of which are available from the Company
Secretary.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

3.     FEES AND EXPENSES

Non-executive director fees will be paid at the rate of Pound Sterling30,000 per
annum. The fees will be increased by a further Pound Sterling5,000 per annum
following your appointment as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

In accordance with the Smith & Nephew plc policy regarding their employees
holding non-executive positions with other companies, the fees owing will be
settled upon receipt of a quarterly invoice from Smith & Nephew plc. Similarly,
if you incur any expenses in performing your duties these should be included on
the invoice from Smith & Nephew plc as disbursements.

4.     INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

You may also claim the reasonable costs of any independent professional advice
which you, with or without other directors of the Company, have properly taken
in the best interests of the Company as to the nature or ambit of your duties as
a non-executive director. In any such case you should discuss the issues with me
in advance, or if this is not deemed appropriate, then with one or more of your
non-executive colleagues. A brief summary of the subject matter on which you
intend to seek advice, and the name of the proposed advisers, should also be
first furnished to the Company Secretary. Thereafter, the advice when obtained
by you should be made available to your other directors.

5.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

At all times during, and after the termination, of your appointment as a
director of the Company you must not use for your own purposes or for another's
benefit or disclose to any third party any confidential information about The
BOC Group.

Confidential information means details about the business, prospective business,
technical processes, computer software, intellectual property rights or finances
of The BOC Group, or any combinations of these matters, including without
limitation, price lists, details of customers and suppliers, information
relating to research and development, marketing strategies and tactics which may
come into your possession by virtue of your appointment and which the Company
regards, or could reasonably be expected to regard as confidential, whether or
not such information is marked as such.

All confidential information and all other documents, papers and property
relating thereto (on whatever media or wherever located) which may have been
made or prepared by you, or at your request or have come into your possession or
under your control in the course of your appointment or which relate in any way
to The BOC Group, the business (including prospective business) or affairs of
The BOC Group or of any customer, supplier, agent distributor or sub-contractor
of The BOC Group shall as between the Company and you be deemed to be the
property of the Company. You will return to the Company all such documents and
other property including all copies immediately upon the termination of your
appointment or at any earlier time on demand.

You will immediately inform the Company if you become aware of the possession,
use or knowledge of any confidential information by any person not authorised to
possess, have use or knowledge of that information, whether during or after your
appointment and will, at the Company's request, provide such reasonable
assistance as is required to deal with such an event.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

All such confidential information should not be disclosed unless or until it
enters the public domain, other than by breach of the terms of this letter, is
obtained from a third party who is lawfully authorised to disclose such
information, or is authorised for release by prior written consent of the Board.
Notwithstanding this, you are not prevented from disclosing confidential
information where it is required to be disclosed by law or any regulatory or
government authority.

6.     REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement under the Companies Act 1985 for a company to maintain a
register showing certain personal particulars of its directors. These details
must also be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

A Register of Directors' Interests must also be maintained pursuant to the
Companies Act 1985. Any interests held by you or connected persons in the shares
and options of the Company must be recorded. All changes to these interests must
also be notified to the Company and recorded throughout your directorship of the
Company. A more detailed overview of the requirements of the UK Companies Act
and UK Listing Authority is contained in section 20 of the Directors Reference
Binder.

7.     DATA PROTECTION ACT

The Company, in connection with the administration of this appointment and your
directorship, will have to hold and process certain personal data relating to
you. Your signature to this letter will be taken as your consent to that
processing.

8.     DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION SHARES

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, as a director you are
required to hold 500 ordinary shares in The BOC Group plc registered in your own
name (not in a nominee name or jointly with any other person).

9.     DEALING IN BOC SECURITIES

There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the
dealing by directors in the securities of the Company. These are explained in
more detail in sections 16 and 17 of the Directors' Reference Binder. However
you should be aware that in advance of any dealing, permission must be obtained
from the Chairman or Chief Executive using a 'Request for Permission to Deal in
the Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. Such request should be sent
via the Company Secretarial Department who will arrange for the request to be
reviewed and the consent, or refusal, to deal decision to be communicated to
you.

If consent is given, you should deal promptly and in any event within 3 working
days from receipt of the permission. If you delay by more than 3 working days,
you must reapply for permission to deal.

As a listed company, The BOC Group plc is subject to the Model Code set out in
the UKLA Listing Rules. The Model Code restricts the periods during which
directors may deal in a company's securities. The dates for 2001/2002 are given
in section 15 of the Directors Reference Binder.

Upon completion of the transaction full details must be reported immediately to
the Company Secretarial Department using the 'Notification of Dealing in
Securities of The BOC Group plc' form enclosed. This information will be used to
make the necessary notification to the Company Announcements Office of The
London Stock Exchange as required by the UKLA Listing Rules.

10.    PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS

This letter agreement is in substitution for all previous agreements /
arrangements between you and the Company, and this letter agreement records the
true and full position as at the date hereof.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

11.    NOTICES

All notices must be given in writing and may be given by personal delivery, post
or fax. Notice served by you on the Company should be sent to the Company's
registered office. Notices served by the Company on you will be sent to your
last known address.

Notices will be deemed to have been served:

(a)    if hand delivered, at the time of delivery; or

(b)    if sent by fax, twelve hours after being transmitted (excluding weekends
       and public holidays) subject to satisfactory confirmation of
       transmission; or

(c)    if sent by post, two days after posting (excluding weekends and public
       holidays).

12.    GOVERNING LAW

This appointment and the terms of this letter shall be governed by and construed
in all respects in accordance with English law.

Yours sincerely

Sir David John

Chairman
encs

I acknowledge, and agree to, the principal terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of The BOC Group plc as set out above.

Signed: C J O'Donnell                         Date: ......3 / 12/ 01......

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                               DATED 1ST MAY 1999

                                THE BOC GROUP PLC

                           DR KRISHNAMURTHY RAJAGOPAL

                       -----------------------------------

                                SERVICE AGREEMENT

                      ------------------------------------

                                       1
<PAGE>

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 1st May 1999

BETWEEN

THE BOC GROUP PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales
with registered number 22096 and with registered office Chertsey Road,
Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6HJ (the COMPANY); and

Dr Krishnamurthy Rajagopal          (the EXECUTIVE).

IT IS AGREED as follows:

DEFINITIONS

1.       In this Agreement:

EFFECTIVE DATE means 1st May 1999

EMPLOYMENT means the employment established by this Agreement;

GROUP COMPANY means any or, where the context so admits, all of (i) any holding
company of the Company from time to time, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company or
of any such holding company from time to time and (iii) any other company which
is a "related company" in the consolidated accounts of the Company and its
subdivisions;

HOLDING COMPANY, SUBSIDIARY, SUBSIDIARIES shall have the meanings given by
section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended).

EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES

2.1      The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve
         the Company as Chief Executive, BOC Edwards or in such other capacity
         as the Company shall reasonably require and in the course of such
         employment the Executive shall render such services either to the
         Company or to any Group Company as the Company may reasonably require.

2.2      The Employment shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue
         unless and until terminated by the Company or the Executive in
         accordance with clauses 8.4 and 11.

2.3      The Executive's employment with any Group Company counts as part of the
         Executive's period of continuous employment for statutory purposes,
         which period began on 1 October 1981.

2.4      It is further agreed that any right to claim unfair dismissal or a
         redundancy payment, subject to the terms of the Employment Rights Act
         1996 (or any re-enactment or amendment thereof) or otherwise, shall be
         excluded upon the expiry of this Agreement (without it being renewed)
         when the Executive attains the age of 60 years as provided in clause
         11.4 below.

2.5      During the Employment the Executive shall not act as director, employee
         or adviser to any other company, firm or organisation or engage in or
         carry on for profit or gain any other trade, business or occupation
         except with the previous consent in writing of the Company.

                                       2
<PAGE>

2.6      The Executive shall perform his duties hereunder at the offices of the
         Company at Crawley or at the offices of any Group Company or shall
         transfer to another location within a 25 mile radius of Crawley as the
         Company may in its absolute discretion from time to time require. The
         Executive shall not be obliged (except for visits in the ordinary
         course of his duties) to work for a continuous period in excess of one
         month or reside outside the United Kingdom.

SALARY AND INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

3.1      The salary of the Executive shall be Pound Sterling200,000 per annum
         payable in arrears in equal monthly instalments, or such higher sum as
         the Company may from time to time determine. The salary shall be
         subject to deduction for income tax, national insurance and
         contributions to the Company's pension fund, deductions required by law
         and any other deduction which the parties from time to time agree. The
         Company reserves the right to deduct from the Executive's salary any
         amount of national insurance benefits receivable by the Executive in
         case of sickness. Payment shall be made direct to the Executive's bank.

3.2      The Executive shall participate in such annual and long term incentive
         arrangements as the Management Resources Committee of the Board shall,
         from time to time, determine.

HOURS OF WORK

4.       The normal business hours of the Company, 37.5 hours per week, shall
         apply to the Executive, unless advised to the contrary, provided that
         the Executive shall work such other hours as may be necessary or
         appropriate from time to time to carry out his duties properly and
         effectively. The Executive shall devote the whole of his working time,
         attention and abilities exclusively to the business of the Company and
         shall in all respects obey and conform to the regulations from time to
         time issued by the Company and applicable to him and shall at all times
         faithfully serve the Company and the Group Companies and use his best
         endeavours to promote the interests thereof.

HOLIDAYS

5.       Subject always to the requirements of the business, the Executive's
         annual holiday entitlement shall normally be 25 working days in each
         calendar year to be taken by prior arrangement with the Company and the
         statutory holidays normally observed by the Company. The Executive's
         entitlement to any holiday which is not taken by the Executive in the
         course of the calendar year in which it accrues shall lapse on expiry
         of the said year. No payment is made in lieu of holidays not taken and
         the Executive is not entitled to payment in lieu of holiday on
         termination of the Employment.

COMPANY CAR AND EXPENSES

6.1      To assist the Executive in carrying out his duties under the
         Employment, the Company shall during the Employment provide him with a
         fully expensed motor car of an age and type appropriate (in the opinion
         of the Company) to his responsibilities and position in the Company.
         Each such motor car shall be exchanged by the Company for a new motor
         car as soon as practicable following the expiry of a period of four
         years calculated from the date of

                                       3
<PAGE>

         registration of such motor car or according to the Company's car policy
         in force from time to time.

6.2      The Executive will take good care of the vehicle and will procure that
         the provisions and conditions of any policy of insurance are observed
         in all respects and will comply in full with the provisions of the
         Company's car policy in force from time to time. In the event of any
         failure on the part of the Executive to comply with the provisions of
         this clause 6.2 or of if at any time the Executive loses his driving
         licence, the Company reserves the right to require the Executive to
         return his company car, and shall be under no obligation to provide
         any replacement benefit.

6.3      The Company or another Group Company shall reimburse the Executive for
         all entertaining, travelling, hotel and other out of pocket expenses
         reasonably and properly incurred by him in the course of the Employment
         in accordance with the relevant rules of the Company for the time being
         in force.

PENSION SCHEME AND HEALTH SCHEME

7.1      During the Employment the Executive shall be eligible to belong to the
         Senior Executive Pension Scheme. The Executive will also be eligible to
         belong to the BOC Personal Accident Benefit Scheme. The Executive shall
         be eligible to belong to the schemes referred to in this clause 7 under
         the rules of the said schemes from time to time. Nothing contained in
         this Agreement shall limit or restrict the rights of the Executive
         under these schemes. A contracting out certificate is in force in
         respect of the Employment. Further details of the pension scheme and
         accident scheme may be obtained from the Pensions Department at
         Windlesham. The Company reserves the right to withdraw or amend any of
         the rules or benefits of the schemes at any time.

7.2      During the Employment, the Executive and his spouse shall be entitled
         to benefit under the Company's medical insurance scheme in force at any
         time and from time to time.

SICKNESS

8.1      If the Executive is absent from work as a result of sickness or injury
         he will notify the Chief Executive's office by telephone as soon as
         practicable on the first day of his absence or in the event of his
         being unable to do so as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. A
         medical certificate signed by a practising medical practitioner must be
         submitted to the Personnel Department if the Executive is absent from
         work as a result of sickness or injury for more than 8 working days.

8.2      The Company will, subject to receipt of the appropriate certificate(s)
         in accordance with clause 8.1 and subject to the provisions of clause
         8.4 below, continue to pay the Executive at his normal rate of pay
         during any periods of absence through sickness or injury up to an
         aggregate maximum of 90 days in any calendar year of the Employment
         subject to the provisions of clause 3 above.

8.3      The Executive will not be entitled to be paid in respect of any period
         during which he has been absent without leave.

                                       4
<PAGE>

8.4      In the event of the Executive in the reasonable opinion of the Company
         becoming permanently incapacitated by bodily or mental illness or
         accident from properly discharging his duties as they were immediately
         prior to the said incapacity the Company may by six months' notice in
         writing terminate the Employment.

8.5      Statutory sick pay (SSP) will be paid by the Company where appropriate
         in accordance with the legislation in force at the time of absence. Any
         payment made by the Company under the foregoing provisions will also
         discharge its obligation to pay SSP. Further details of payment of SSP
         and of the requirements concerning notification of absence due to
         sickness can be obtained from the Personnel Department.

8.6      The Company reserves the right to require the Executive to undergo a
         medical examination by a doctor appointed by the Company at any time
         (provided that the costs of such examination shall be paid by the
         Company).

GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

9.1      A copy of the disciplinary rules and procedures of the Company in force
         from time to time can be obtained from the Group Personnel Department
         at Windlesham. These rules and procedures shall apply to the Employment
         and form part of this Agreement.

9.2      If the Executive is either dissatisfied with any disciplinary decision
         relating to him or wishes to seek to redress any grievance relating to
         the Employment he should appeal to the Management Resources Committee
         of the Board which will afford to the Executive the opportunity of a
         full and fair meeting and whose decision shall be final and binding.

SUSPENSION

10.      The Executive may be suspended by the Chief Executive on full pay from
         the Employment at any time, provided that such suspension shall be for
         a period no longer than three months at any one time.

TERMINATION

11.1     The Company may terminate the Employment summarily (but without
         prejudice to its rights and remedies for any breach of this Agreement
         by the Executive) if;

         (a)      the Executive is guilty of dishonesty or serious or persistent
                  misconduct, in all cases whether or not in connection with or
                  referable to the Employment; or

         (b)      the Executive is declared bankrupt or enters into any general
                  composition or arrangement with or for the benefit of his
                  creditors including a voluntary arrangement under the
                  Insolvency Act 1986; or

         (c)      the Executive commits any material breach or non-observance of
                  any of the terms of this Agreement or is guilty of conduct
                  which is likely to bring himself or the Company or any Group
                  Company into disrepute; or

                                       5
<PAGE>

         (d)      the Executive becomes a patient pursuant to any statute
                  relating to mental health; or

         (e)      the Executive is convicted of any arrestable criminal offence
                  (other than an offence under road traffic legislation in the
                  United Kingdom).

         In the event of the Employment being terminated by the Company pursuant
         to this clause 11.1, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any
         payment from the Company except in respect of salary accrued due to the
         date of such termination. This clause is without prejudice to any
         rights the Company may have at common law or otherwise to terminate the
         Employment summarily.

11.2     In addition to the Company's entitlement pursuant to clauses 8.4 and
         11.1 above of this Agreement and subject to the provisions of clauses
         11.6 and 16.1 below, the Company may terminate the Employment at any
         time by, at its sole and absolute discretion, either:

         (a)      giving the Executive 2 years written notice of termination of
                  the Employment; or

         (b)      paying the Executive at any time salary but, for the avoidance
                  of doubt, without any additional payment in respect of the
                  benefits to which the Executive is entitled under clauses 3.2,
                  5,6,7 and 8 of this Agreement or any other contractual
                  entitlement of the Executive under this Agreement in lieu of
                  any required period of notice or unexpired part thereof (the
                  "unexpired notice period") provided that: (i) to the extent
                  that the Executive is covered by pension arrangements under
                  clause 7.1 of this Agreement, then the Executive shall be
                  credited with the equivalent of additional months of
                  Pensionable Service at his then current base salary equal to
                  the number of months of payment in lieu of any required period
                  of notice and (ii) in the event that the Executive holds
                  options under the Senior Executives Share Option Scheme or
                  PSRs under the Phantom Share Scheme (or any successor scheme
                  to those schemes) at the date of termination of the Employment
                  then, to the extent that any such options or PSRs would have
                  become exercisable during any period of notice which the
                  Company might have given under paragraph (a) of this
                  Sub-Clause, it is hereby confirmed that the Company would be
                  minded (but not hereby committed, in view of the discretion
                  conferred under rule 5(4) of the Senior Executives Share
                  Option Scheme and rule 5(3)(c) of the Phantom Share Scheme)
                  to ensure that the Executive would be entitled to retain the
                  relevant options and / or PSRs and to exercise in accordance
                  with the rules of the scheme any rights thereunder.

11.3     If the Company terminates the Employment in accordance with clause 11.2
         (b) above, then the Executive shall be entitled to pension and lump sum
         benefits which are determined in accordance with the rules from time to
         time of the Senior Executive Pension Scheme that apply to an individual
         of the Executive's age at the date of leaving. For the avoidance of
         doubt, the benefits will be based on the Executive's Pensionable Salary
         at the date of leaving.

11.4     Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 10 above, the Company shall
         have the right at any time after either party has given notice of
         termination of the Employment to require the Executive;

                                       6
<PAGE>

         (a)      not to attend at any premises of the Company or any Group
                  Company and otherwise to suspend him from the performance of
                  any duties or obligations under this Agreement; and

         (b)      to resign immediately from any offices he may hold in the
                  Company or any Group Company.

11.5     The Employment shall terminate in any event without notice upon the
         Executive attaining the age of 60 years.

11.6     If notice is served by the Company pursuant to the provisions of clause
         11.2 (a) above, the Executive will be obliged to work out the notice in
         accordance with the provisions of this Agreement subject to clause 11.4
         above.

11.7     The Company's right to make or procure a payment under the provisions
         of clause 11.2 (b) above is subject to the following:

         (a)      the Company may deduct from such payment an amount equal to
                  any sum owed by the Executive to the Company or any Group
                  Company;

         (b)      the Company may deduct from such payment such amount as it may
                  be required by law to so deduct before making such payment
                  (including without limitation deducting income tax and
                  national insurance); and

         (c)      the Company may require the Executive, before making any
                  payment as above, to enter into such agreement as the Company
                  may reasonably require whereby: (i) the Executive validly and
                  effectively waives each and every claim the Executive has or
                  may have against the Company and any Group Company and any of
                  its or their directors or officers arising out of the
                  termination of the Employment; and (ii) confirming that the
                  provisions contained in clauses 12,13 and 15 of this Agreement
                  remain in full force and effect, notwithstanding the
                  termination of this Employment.

11.8     Notwithstanding the foregoing, references in this clause 11 to two
         years shall be construed as references to any shorter period that
         expires upon the Executive attaining the age of 60 years.

11.9     The Executive may terminate the Employment upon six months' notice in
         writing expiring at any time.

11.10    Termination of this Agreement pursuant to clause 8.4 above or this
         clause 11 shall not effect the Executive's entitlement to any accrued
         right or benefit under the rules from time to time of the schemes
         referred to in clause 7.

11.11    Upon termination of the Employment, whether lawfully or in breach of
         contract, the Executive shall, at the request of the Company,
         forthwith:

         (a)      in writing under seal resign his position as a director of any
                  Group Company without compensation for loss of office as such
                  director, and should the Executive fail to do so, he hereby
                  irrevocably authorises the Company to appoint some person in
                  his name and on his behalf to

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  sign any documents and do all things necessary or requisite to
                  give effect thereto; and

         (b)      execute stock transfer forms in favour of the Company or any
                  Group Company or such nominee as it shall appoint in respect
                  of any nominee shares held by the Executive on behalf of the
                  Company or any Group Company.

COMPANY PROPERTY

12.      On termination of the Employment the Executive shall, unless otherwise
         agreed, forthwith return to the Company all correspondence, documents,
         data, books, papers (including copies), materials, credit cards, his
         company car, car keys and all other property and information relating
         to the Company or Group Companies or their affairs remaining in the
         Executive's possession or under his power or control.

SHARE OPTION AND OTHER RIGHTS ON TERMINATION

13.1     It is acknowledged that the Executive may, during the Executive's
         period of continuous employment with the Company, be or have been
         granted rights under the rules from time to time of the BOC Senior
         Executive Share Option Scheme or any other share incentive, share
         option, bonus or phantom scheme operated by the Company or any Group
         Company to acquire shares in the Company or any other Group Company.

13.2     If, on termination of the Employment whether lawfully or in breach of
         contract, the Executive loses, under the rules of the relevant scheme
         referred to in clause 14.1, any such rights which may have been granted
         to him, the Executive shall not be entitled, by way of compensation for
         loss of office or otherwise howsoever, to any sum or other benefit to
         compensate him for the loss of any rights under any such scheme.

RESTRAINT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

14.1     The Executive shall keep secret and shall not at any time (whether
         during the Employment or after the termination of the Employment) use
         for his own or another's advantage, or reveal to any person, firm,
         company or organisation, and shall use his best endeavours to prevent
         the publication or disclosure of any of the trade secrets, business
         methods, computer systems or information which the Executive knew or
         ought reasonably to have known to be confidential concerning the
         business or affairs of (i) the Company, (ii) any Group Company, or
         (iii) any of its or their customers, so far as they shall have come to
         his knowledge during the Employment until the same has become public
         knowledge without fault on the part of the Executive. This obligation
         shall include (but not be limited to) information of a secret or
         confidential character relating to the plans, trade or business of the
         Company or any Group Company or to the methods, processes, formulae,
         appliances, machinery or plant used by either it or them and any
         experiments or research carried out by it or them or by any person in
         its or their employment. The restrictions contained in this clause
         shall not operate so as to prevent the Executive from using his own
         personal skill in any business in which he may be lawfully engaged
         (subject to clauses 15.7 and 15.8 below) after the Employment is ended.

                                       8
<PAGE>

14.2     The Executive shall not, after the termination of the Employment, make
         any communication to the press or publish any material or include in
         any lecture or document any matter relating to the Company or any Group
         Company, or any matters with which the Company or any Group Company may
         be concerned, unless the Executive shall have previously and on each
         occasion obtained permission from the Company.

14.3     In the course of his duties, the Executive may produce original work or
         designs or make inventions. The Executive shall promptly refer to the
         Company any original work, invention or design made or discovered or
         devised by him (either alone or with others) during or in the
         consequence of his work with the Company or any Group Company and, at
         the Company's expense, if the Company considers the matter may be
         relevant to its business or that of any Group Company, do all things
         reasonably required of him to enable patent or other industrial
         property protection to be applied for and obtained either in the
         Company's name or as may be appropriate. Industrial property rights
         arising from all work carried out by the Executive in the course of his
         normal (or specifically assigned) duties belong to the Company and its
         Group Companies.

14.4     The provisions of clause 14.3 above do not prejudice any rights under
         the Patents Act 1977 in relation to any invention made by the
         Executive.

14.5     During the Employment the Executive shall not knowingly deal directly
         or indirectly in any shares of the Company or any Group Company except
         in accordance with the rules on insider dealing from time to time in
         force in the Company.

14.6     Without prejudice to clause 14.5 above, the Executive shall not deal
         directly or indirectly in any shares of any company at a time when by
         reason (directly or indirectly) of his Employment he is in possession
         of confidential information which if generally known might reasonably
         be expected materially to affect the market price of such shares nor
         shall he pass on such information to any third party except upon the
         specific authority of the Company.

14.7     For a period of twelve months after the termination of this Agreement
         the Executive shall not undertake or carry on either alone or in
         partnership or be employed by or be interested in either directly or
         indirectly, other than as the holder of publicly quoted shares, any
         trade or business which is similar to and, by virtue of its location,
         competes with any trade or business being carried on (including,
         without limitation, a trade or business being carried on in the United
         Kingdom and the USA) at the date of termination of the Employment by
         (i) the Company or (ii) any Group Company and in which the Executive
         has been involved or with which the Executive has been concerned as
         part of the Employment.

14.8     For a period of twelve month's after the termination of this Agreement
         the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (whether on his own
         account or for any person, firm, company or organisation):

         (a)      solicit or endeavour to solicit or entice away or endeavour to
                  entice away from the Company or any Group Company: or

         (b)      deal with

                                       9
<PAGE>

         any person, firm, company or organisation who or which in the preceding
         twelve months shall have been a customer of or in the habit of dealing
         with (i) the Company or (ii) any Group Company, and with whom the
         Executive has had direct dealings or personal contact as part of the
         Employment so as to harm the goodwill of the Company or any Group
         Company.

14.9     For a period of twelve months after the termination of the Employment
         the Executive shall not (whether on his own account or for any other
         person, firm, company or organisation) solicit or endeavour to solicit
         or entice away or endeavour to entice away from the Company or any
         Group Company, any employee employed in any executive capacity at the
         date of termination of the Employment or at any time within a period of
         twelve months prior to that date and with whom the Executive has worked
         or with whom he has had personal contact as part of the Employment.

14.10    The Executive acknowledges and agrees:

         (a)      that each of clauses 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8
                  and 14.9 constitute an entirely separate and independent
                  restriction on him;

         (b)      that the duration, extent and application of each of the
                  restrictions are no greater than is necessary for the
                  protection of the interests of the Company; and

         (c)      that if any such restriction shall be adjudged by any court of
                  competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable as going
                  beyond what is reasonable in the circumstances for the
                  protection of the interests of the Company but would be valid
                  if part of the wording thereof was deleted the restriction
                  shall apply within the jurisdiction of that court with such
                  deletions as may be necessary to make it valid and effective.

14.11    Each covenant is given by the Executive to the Company on its own
         behalf and as agent for each other Group Company.

14.12    Any reference in this clause 14 to Group Company shall include the
         Company, any holding company from time to time of the Company and any
         subsidiary from time to time of the Company or of any such holding
         company.

MISCELLANEOUS

15.1     The Company shall be entitled upon the termination of this Agreement to
         set off or transfer any monies payable to the Executive hereunder
         including any monies due to the Executive under the terms of the
         respective schemes referred to in clause 7 hereof in or towards
         satisfaction of any liability of the Executive to the Company or any
         Group Company on any other account.

15.2     This Agreement supersedes all previous agreements (if any) between the
         Company or any Group Company and the Executive relating to the terms or
         conditions of the Employment but shall not take effect so as to release
         the Executive from any obligation to any of the said companies relating
         to the protection of proprietary, secret or confidential material or
         information and related matters.

                                       10
<PAGE>

15.3     Any notice to be given under this Agreement to the Executive may be
         served by being handed to him personally or by being sent by recorded
         delivery first class post to him at his usual or last known address;
         and any notice to be given to the Company may be served by being left
         at or by being sent by recorded delivery first class post to its
         registered office for the time being. Any notice served by post shall
         be deemed to have been served on the day (excluding Sundays and
         statutory holidays) next following the date of posting and in proving
         such service it shall be sufficient proof that the envelope containing
         the notice was properly addressed and posted as a prepaid letter by
         recorded delivery first class post.

15.4     This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance
         with, the laws of England.

AS WITNESS the hands of the parties the day and year first before written.

SIGNED by F D Rosenkranz, Chief              F D Rosenkranz
Executive, for and on
Behalf of the Company:

In the presence of:                          D F Beattie

SIGNED AS A DEED and
DELIVERED by the Executive
in the presence of:                          K Rajagopal

WITNESS                                      M Noel
                                             M Noel
Name: Address                                The BOC Group

                                       11
<PAGE>

THIS DEED OF VARIATION, made on 22nd November 2002 is a variation in the terms
of the Service Agreement dated 1 May 1999 (the Service Agreement) between

THE BOC GROUP PLC (the Company) and

DR KRISHNAMURTHY RAJAGOPAL (the Executive)

Whereby it is agreed between the parties that the following variations shall be
made to the Service Agreement:

1.       Clauses 11.2 and 11.3 shall be replaced with the following clauses:-

         11.2     In addition to the Company's entitlement pursuant to clauses
                  8.4 and 11.1 above of this Agreement and subject to the
                  provisions of clauses 11.6, the Company may terminate the
                  Employment at any time by, either:

                  (a)      giving the Executive 12 months written notice of
                           termination of the Employment (the "Notice Period");
                           or at its sole and absolute discretion,

                  (b)      paying the Executive a sum in lieu of the Notice
                           Period or any unexpired portion of the Notice Period.
                           Such payment shall be equivalent to the salary, bonus
                           (calculated by reference to the average of actual
                           bonus payments, if any, over the previous two
                           financial years provided that, where your employment
                           is terminated in accordance with this paragraph
                           within five years of 22 November 2002, this amount
                           will be no less than the average of the actual
                           bonuses paid for the Company's financial years
                           2000/01 and 2001/02) and the cash allowance in lieu
                           of Company car (each pro rata to the unexpired
                           portion of the Notice Period) and shall be deemed to
                           include compensation for any other payments or
                           benefits which might otherwise have been received
                           during the Notice Period subject to the provisions
                           set out below. The payment shall be subject to
                           deductions of income tax and National Insurance as
                           appropriate, together with any amounts owed to the
                           Company. The Executive will not under any
                           circumstances have any right to receive a payment in
                           lieu of the Notice Period or any unexpired portion of
                           the Notice Period under this sub clause unless the
                           Company has exercised its option to do so.

                  Where your employment continues during all part of the Notice
                  Period then, for the purpose of the calculation of any bonus
                  payment for such period, your personal performance rating will
                  not be less than the average of your personal performance
                  ratings over the previous two financial years.

                  Where your employment is terminated by the Company in
                  accordance with this paragraph 11.2 then, for the purpose of
                  the exercise of share options granted to you under any Company
                  share option scheme prior to the date of this Agreement, you
                  will be deemed to cease to be an Executive on the date 12
                  months after the expiry (or notional expiry) of the Notice
                  Period.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         11.3     If the Company decides to exercise its discretion to terminate
                  the Employment in accordance with clause 11.2 (b) above the
                  Company agrees that prior to such notice being given the
                  Company shall procure that the Executive shall be entitled and
                  shall be granted pension and lump sum benefits which are
                  determined in accordance with the rules from time to time of
                  the Senior Executive Pension Scheme that apply to an
                  individual of the Executive's age at the date of leaving but
                  calculated as though the Executive had a period of Pensionable
                  Service which was equal to his actual Pensionable Service plus
                  the Notice Period or any unexpired notice period. For the
                  avoidance of doubt, the benefits will be based on the
                  Executive's Pensionable Salary at the date of the termination
                  of the Employment.

2        Clause 14.7 shall be amended so that the period of the restriction
         after the termination of the Service Agreement shall be a period of six
         months and not twelve months.

3        Clause 14.8 shall be amended so that the period of the restriction with
         regard to clause 14.8 (b) (the dealing provision) after the termination
         of the Service Agreement shall be for a period of six months and not
         twelve months.

IN WITNESS whereof this Deed of Variation has been signed by or on behalf of the
parties to it on the day and year first before written.

EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
The BOC Group plc acting by

A E Isaac.....................(Director)

and

C A Hunt......................(Acting Secretary)

SIGNED AS A DEED and..........K Rajagopal
DELIVERED by the
Executive

in the presence of

Witness  R K Lourey

Name     R Lourey
Address  34 Ernle Rd
         Wimbledon

                                       13
<PAGE>

                             DATED 21 NOVEMBER 2002

                                THE BOC GROUP INC

                                       AND

                                   JOHN WALSH

                        --------------------------------

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                         -------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                PAGE

<S>                                                                                              <C>
SECTION 1                                                                                        2
THE KEY TERMS                                                                                    2
SECTION 2                                                                                        4
PART A                                                                                           4
DEFINITIONS                                                                                      4
PART B                                                                                           6
MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS                                                                          6
1.  JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND
    START OF EMPLOYMENT                                                                          6
2.  DUTIES                                                                                       6
3.  OTHER INTERESTS                                                                              6
PART C                                                                                           8
BENEFITS                                                                                         8
4.  SALARY                                                                                       8
5.  BONUS AND INCENTIVES                                                                         8
6.  SHARE OPTIONS                                                                                8
7.  COMPANY CAR                                                                                  9
8.  PENSION                                                                                      9
9.  EXPENSES                                                                                     9
10. VACATION AND VACATION PAY                                                                    9
11. SICKNESS AND SICK PAY                                                                        10
PART D                                                                                           11
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY                                                        11
12. CONFIDENTIALITY                                                                              11
13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS                                                                 11
PART E                                                                                           14
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT                                                                        14
14. NOTICE                                                                                       14
15. GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION                                                                  15
16. DISMISSAL ON SHORT NOTICE                                                                    16
17. DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE                                                                     16
18. RETIREMENT                                                                                   16
PART F                                                                                           17
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS / AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT / WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE                 17
19. RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER
    OF SHARES                                                                                    17
20. RESTRICTIONS                                                                                 17
PART G                                                                                           20
OTHER MATTERS                                                                                    20
21. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF                                                                            20
22. SEVERABILITY AND REFORMATION                                                                 20
23. DIRECTORSHIP                                                                                 20
24. DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE                                                                     20
25. NOTICES                                                                                      21
26. OTHER AGREEMENTS                                                                             21
27. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS                                                                        21
28. DATA PROTECTION                                                                              21
29. SUCCESSORS                                                                                   22
30. AMENDMENT; WAIVER                                                                            22
31. SURVIVAL                                                                                     22
32. GOVERNING LAW                                                                                22
33. COUNTERPARTS                                                                                 22
SCHEDULE 1                                                                                       23
</TABLE>

                                       1
<PAGE>

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

                                    SECTION 1

                                  THE KEY TERMS

            (to be read in conjunction with Section 2 and Schedule 1)

The terms and conditions contained in this Section 1, together with those
contained in Section 2 and Schedule 1, outline the main terms and conditions of
your employment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                          <C>
Employer:                                    The BOC Group, Inc., a Delaware Corporation where we refer
                                             to The BOC Group Inc in this contract we will use the
                                             "Company", "we", "us" or "our").

Employee:                                    Mr John Walsh (where we refer to you as the employee we
                                             will use "you" or "your").

Job Title:                                   Chief Executive, Industrial and Special Products or such
(Clause 1)                                   other title as we may from time to time reasonably assign
                                             to you.

Effective Date:                              12 July 2001
(Clause 1)

Start Date of Continuous Employment:         27 October 1986
(Clause 1)

Normal place of work:                        The Company's offices in Murray Hill, New Jersey, or at
(Clause 1)                                   such other location as we may from time to time require.

Reporting Person:                            Mr A E Isaac, Chief Executive, The BOC Group.
(Clause 2)

Base Salary:                                 US$15,173.08 bi-weekly, which has an annual equivalent of
(Clause 4)                                   US$394,500

Pension:                                     The Cash Balance Retirement Plan ("CASH"), the US Top Hat
(Clause 8)                                   Pension Program, the Savings Investment Plan ("SIP"), the
                                             'CASH' and 'SIP' make-up Accounts.

Vacation:                                    25 days per calendar year.
(Clause 10)

Notice Period:                               When given by the Company: 12 months. When given by you: 6
(Clause 14)                                  months.

</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

Additional company policies and procedures from time to time are set out and
available to you on our intranet site. The policies and procedures do not form
part of your contract of employment. However, you are expected to comply with
such policies and procedures to the extent that they apply to you.

If there is any conflict between this Agreement and any policy or procedure,
this Agreement will take priority.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 2

                                     PART A

                                   DEFINITIONS

In this Section 2:

o        "BOARD" means our board of directors from time to time;

o        "BOC GROUP PLC" means The BOC Group plc, a company incorporated under
         the laws of England and Wales.

o        "BUSINESS" means our business, the business or businesses of BOC Group
         plc, or businesses or those of any other company in the Group in or
         with which you have been involved or concerned at any time during the
         period of 12 months prior to the Restriction Date;

o        "COMPANY WORKS" means all Works authored, originated, conceived,
         written or made by you alone or with others (except only those Works
         which are authored, originated, conceived, written or made by you
         wholly outside the course of your employment);

o        "DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY" means you acting either alone or jointly with
         or on behalf of any other person, firm or company, whether as
         principal, partner, manager, executive, employee, contractor, director,
         consultant, investor or otherwise;

o        "GROUP" means the Company, BOC Group plc and any company which is from
         time to time an associated company of the Company and / or BOC Group
         plc. In this definition "ASSOCIATED COMPANY" means BOC Group plc, a
         holding company of BOC Group plc or any Subsidiary of BOC Group plc or
         any such holding company;

o        "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS" means any and all patents, trade marks,
         signs and services marks, rights in designs, trade or business names or
         signs, copyrights, database rights and topography rights (whether or
         not any of these is registered and including applications for
         registration of any such thing) and all rights or forms of protection
         of a similar nature or having equivalent or similar effect to any of
         these which may exist anywhere in the world;

o        "KEY PERSONNEL" means any person who is at the Restriction Date, or was
         at any time during the period of 12 months prior to the Restriction
         Date, employed or engaged in the Business in an executive capacity and
         with whom you had material contact during that time;

o        "PERMANENTLY DISABLED" means either (i) you become incapacitated by
         bodily injury or disease (including as a result of mental illness) so
         as to be unable to regularly perform the duties of your position for a
         period in excess of 180 days in any consecutive twelve-month period or
         (ii) a qualified independent physician determines that you are mentally
         or physically disabled so as to be unable to regularly perform the
         duties of your position and such condition is expected to be of a
         permanent duration.

o        "PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who has been
         engaged in negotiations, with which you have been personally involved,
         with us or a company in the Group with a view to purchasing goods and
         services from us or any company in the Group in the period of 12 months
         prior to the Restriction Date;

o        "RELEVANT CUSTOMER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
         during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a customer or
         client of ours or any company in the Group, with whom or which you
         dealt directly or for whom or which you were responsible on behalf of
         us or any company in the Group at any time during that period;

                                       4
<PAGE>

o        "RELEVANT GOODS OR SERVICES" means any goods or services competitive
         with those supplied by us or by any company in the Group in our, or in
         its, capacity as a gases business, at any time during the 12 months
         prior to the Restriction Date in the supply of which you were involved
         or concerned at any time during that period;

o        "RELEVANT PERIOD" means:

         (i)      for the purposes of Clause 20.1, the period of 6 months from
                  the Restriction Date; and

         (ii)     for the purposes of Clauses 20.2 and 20.3, the period of 12
                  months from the Restriction Date;

o        "RELEVANT SUPPLIER" means any person, firm or company who at any time
         during the 12 months prior to the Restriction Date was a supplier of
         any goods or services (other than utilities and goods or services
         supplied for administrative purposes) to us or any company in the Group
         and with whom or which you had personal dealings during your employment
         other than in a minimal way;

o        "RESTRICTION DATE" means the earlier of the Termination Date and the
         start of any period of Garden Leave;

o        "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any person, any other person
         directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common
         control with, such person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
         (including with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling",
         "controlled by" or "under common control with"), as used with respect
         to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of
         the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
         policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting
         securities or by contract or otherwise.

o        "TERMINATION DATE" means the date on which your employment terminates;
         and

o        "WORKS" means all works, designs, innovations, inventions,
         improvements, processes, copyrights, trade marks and trade names and
         all other similar intellectual property that gives rise to any
         Intellectual Property Right.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                     PART B

                             MAIN NON-MONETARY TERMS

1        JOB TITLE, NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, NORMAL PLACE OF WORK AND START OF
         EMPLOYMENT

         Your Job Title is specified in the Key Terms.

         Your normal place of work is specified in the Key Terms. You will
         travel to such places inside or outside the United States as we may
         from time to time reasonably require, and you may be required to reside
         in the United Kingdom for a continuous period in connection with your
         employment with the Company.

         Your employment with us under this Agreement will begin on the
         Effective Date set out in the Key Terms or, if earlier, began on the
         Start Date of Continuous Employment set out in the Key Terms.

2        DUTIES

         Your role, powers and duties will be those which the Board may from
         time to time properly assign to you, and you will report to the
         Reporting Person specified in the Key Terms. You may be required to
         carry out additional duties or alternative, comparable roles either for
         us or the Group and either on a temporary or a permanent basis without
         additional remuneration.

         During your employment you will:

         (a)      faithfully and diligently and to the best of your ability
                  exercise such powers and perform such duties as the Board may
                  require, and comply with all limitations, rules and
                  regulations the Board may notify to you;

         (b)      at all times endeavour to promote the interests and reputation
                  of the Group;

         (c)      subject to any consent given by us under Clause 3 below,
                  devote the whole of your time, attention and ability to your
                  duties; and

         (d)      at all times keep us fully informed (in writing if so
                  requested) of your conduct of our business or affairs and
                  provide such explanations as we may require.

3        OTHER INTERESTS

         During your employment you will not, without first obtaining our
         written consent (and we will not unreasonably withhold our consent):

         (a)      undertake any other business or occupation; or

         (b)      become a director, employee or agent of any other company or
                  firm or person; or

         (c)      hold a direct or indirect interest in any supplier or customer
                  of any company in the Group; or

         (d)      hold an interest in any other company or firm other than a
                  shareholding in any company in the Group or a shareholding not
                  exceeding 5% in a company listed on a recognised stock
                  exchange unless we require you not to do so in any particular
                  case on the ground that such other company is or may be
                  carrying on a business competing or tending to compete with
                  any business of the Group.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         During your employment you will not knowingly deal directly or
         indirectly in any shares of BOC Group plc, the Company or any company
         in the Group except in accordance with the Guide for Dealing in the
         Securities of The BOC Group plc for Directors and Designated Employees
         from time to time, which will be made available to you on request.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                     PART C

                                    BENEFITS

4        SALARY

         We will pay your Base Salary as set out in the Key Terms less
         applicable taxes and any other withholdings or deductions required by
         law or agreed in advance.

         Your Base Salary accrues from day to day and we will pay this in
         accordance with our payroll practices as in effect from time to time,
         to an account nominated by you.

         Your Base Salary includes any fees or remuneration to which you may be
         entitled as an employee, director, nominee or representative of the
         Company or any company in the Group.

         Although we are not obliged to increase your Base Salary, it will be
         reviewed annually on 01 January and from time to time.

         By signing this agreement, you hereby authorize us to deduct from your
         Base Salary any sums due from you to us.

5        BONUS INCENTIVES AND OTHER BENEFITS

         (a)      You will be eligible to participate in the BOC Group Variable
                  Compensation Plan in accordance with its terms from time to
                  time. Bonus payments under the BOC Group Variable Compensation
                  Plan will depend upon our business performance and your
                  personal performance.

                  Bonus payments will be made less applicable taxes and any
                  other withholdings or deductions required by law. We reserve
                  the right to vary, replace or withdraw the BOC Group Variable
                  Compensation Plan at any time.

         (b)      You may participate in our annual and long term incentive
                  arrangements as notified to you from time to time. Your
                  participation will be subject to the rules of any such annual
                  and long term incentive arrangements. We reserve the right to
                  vary, replace or withdraw the annual and long-term incentive
                  arrangements at any time.

         (c)      You will also be eligible for all other benefits that will
                  apply to an employee at your level within the US, as notified
                  to you by The Company from time to time.

6        SHARE OPTIONS

         If at any time you are granted options under a share option scheme of
         BOC Group plc, those options will be subject to the rules of that
         scheme of BOC Group plc in force from time to time. The rules of any
         such option scheme will not form part of your contract of employment.
         If your employment terminates for any reason you will not be entitled
         to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit or prospective
         right or benefit under any such scheme which you may otherwise have
         enjoyed.

         Where your employment is terminated by the Company in accordance with
         Clause 14 of this Agreement then, for the purpose of the exercise of
         share options granted prior to the date of this Agreement, you will be
         deemed to cease to be an Executive on the date 12 months after the
         expiry (or notional expiry) of the Notice Period.

                                       8
<PAGE>

7        COMPANY CAR

         We will provide you with a car in accordance with our Executive Leased
         Car Program. You will observe the provisions and conditions of any
         policy of insurance and the Rules of the Program in force from time to
         time.

8        PENSION

         You will be eligible to participate in our Cash Balance Retirement Plan
         ("CASH"), US Top Hat Program ("Top Hat Program"), Savings Investment
         Plan ("SIP") and the CASH and SIP Make-up Accounts, subject to their
         rules as amended from time to time.

9        EXPENSES

         We will reimburse any expenses reasonably incurred by you in the proper
         performance of your duties, subject to production of valid receipts
         with expenses claim documentation in accordance with our expenses
         policy.

10       VACATION AND VACATION PAY

         Our holiday year runs from 1 October to 30 September.

         For each full calendar year you are entitled to the number of days'
         public holiday set out in the Key Terms, in addition to public
         holidays. If you leave or join us during a calendar year, your holiday
         entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

         Where accrued holiday cannot be taken on termination of employment,
         payment in lieu of holiday will be made in accordance with the
         Company's policies as in effect from time to time. Where you have taken
         holiday in excess of your holiday entitlement a sum equivalent to any
         salary received for holiday taken in excess of your holiday entitlement
         will be deducted by us from any sums due to you on the termination of
         your employment calculated on the basis of 1/260th of your current
         annual Base Salary for each day taken in excess of your holiday
         entitlement.

         Your holiday dates should be agreed in advance. Any holiday not taken
         in the calendar year in which it accrues may be carried into the
         following calendar year but must be used by the end of March in the
         following calendar year, after which it will lapse. No payment will be
         made in lieu of untaken holiday except on termination of employment.

         We may require you to take any unused holiday entitlement during your
         Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave, even if booked to be taken
         after the end of the Notice Period or any period of Garden Leave.

                                       9
<PAGE>

11       SICKNESS AND SICK PAY

         In accordance with the provisions of the Salary Continuation Plan, if
         you are absent from work you are entitled to receive pay in accordance
         with the Rules of the Plan.

         Details of the Plan are set out and available to you on our Intranet
         site.

         You continue to be eligible to participate in our Long Term Disability
         Plan, which may, subject to the rules of the Plan, provide additional
         benefits after the benefits under the Salary Continuation Plan have
         been exhausted.

         You continue to be eligible to participate in the US Comprehensive
         Medical and Dental Plans (the "Medical Plans") details of which are set
         out and available to you on our Intranet site subject to the rules of
         such Plans as amended from time to time.

         Unless your employment is terminated in any of the circumstances set
         out in Clause 17, and subject to the following paragraph, on
         termination of your employment your membership (which, for the
         avoidance of doubt, will include coverage for pre-existing conditions
         in respect of all your nominated members) of the Medical Plans will
         continue for a period of 18 months after the Termination Date. In
         respect of your continued membership of the Medical Plans you will be
         required to pay to the Company, for the first 12 months of this period,
         the employee contribution rate only, and for the final 6 months of this
         period the full contribution rate plus 2% administration fee.

         If, at the Termination Date, you have met the age and service
         requirements for participation in the BOC Group Retiree Medical Program
         (the "Retiree Medical Program"), you will be entitled to enrol in the
         Retiree Medical Program in accordance with its rules, as amended from
         time to time.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                     PART D

                    CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

12       CONFIDENTIALITY

         You will at all times (both during and after the end of your
         employment) keep confidential all private information about the Company
         (or about any other company or business in the Group), including
         technical and financial information, which you may have acquired while
         in our employment. You will not use such information for your own
         benefit or for the benefit of any business not within the Group. You
         will keep such information confidential to yourself and your immediate
         supervisor, unless otherwise instructed by us. Such information
         includes (without limitation) the following:

         (a)      the business methods and information of any member of the
                  Group (including, without limitation, prices charged,
                  discounts given to customers or obtained from suppliers,
                  product development, marketing and advertising programmes,
                  costings, budgets, turnover, sales targets and other financial
                  information);

         (b)      lists and particulars of the Group's suppliers and customers
                  and the individual contacts at such suppliers and customers;

         (c)      details and terms of our agreements with suppliers and
                  customers;

         (d)      manufacturing or production processes and know-how employed by
                  any member of the Group or their suppliers; and

         (e)      details as to the design of the Group's or its suppliers'
                  products and inventions or developments relating to future
                  products.

         You will not, after the termination of your employment, or during your
         employment (except in the ordinary course of your duties), make any
         communication to the press or publish any material or include in any
         lecture or document any matter relating to us or any company in the
         Group, or any matters with which we or any company in the Group may be
         concerned, unless you have previously and on each occasion obtained
         permission from us.

13       INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

13.1     All Company Works shall vest in and be owned by us immediately upon
         their creation. It will be part of your normal duties to:

         (a)      consider in what manner and by what new methods or devices our
                  products, services, processes, equipment or systems with which
                  you are concerned or for which you are responsible might be
                  improved; and

                                       11
<PAGE>

         (b)      promptly disclose to us full details of any invention or
                  improvement which you make or discover in the course of your
                  duties including, without limitation, details of all Company
                  Works; and

         (c)      further our interests

         with the intent that subject to applicable law we will be entitled to
         ownership of any Company Works and to the exclusive use of them free of
         charge and any third party rights.

13.2     If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to
         us all of your right, title and interest in the Company Works together
         with all of your right, title and interest in any and all Intellectual
         Property Rights which exist in the Company Works.

13.3     If such rights do not vest immediately in us you agree to assign to us
         all future copyright in the Company Works and you agree that all such
         future copyright will vest in us by operation of law.

13.4     You irrevocably and unconditionally waive, in our favour, and in favour
         of our licensees and successors-in-title, any and all rights conferred
         on you in relation to the Company Works (existing or future) and any
         and all other rights under any legislation now existing or in future
         enacted in any part of the world. You will, at our request and expense,
         take all steps that may be necessary or desirable to us to enforce
         against any third party your rights in any of the Company Works.

13.5     You acknowledge that these covenants will be treated as good
         consideration and we will be the proprietor of any design which forms
         part of the Company Works.

13.6     You will not knowingly do anything to imperil the validity of any
         patent or protection or any patent application therefor relating to any
         of the Company Works but will at our cost render all possible
         assistance to us both in obtaining and in maintaining such patents or
         other protection.

13.7     You will not either during your employment or afterwards exploit or
         assist others to exploit any of the Company Works or any invention or
         improvement which you may make or discover in the course of your
         duties.

13.8     You hereby irrevocably authorise us as your attorney-in-fact for the
         purposes of this Clause 13 to use your name and to sign and to execute
         any documents or do any thing on your behalf (or where permissible to
         obtain the patent or other protection in our name or in that of our
         nominees in relation to any of the Company Works).

13.9     You will both during your employment under this Agreement and
         afterwards, at our request and expense, do all things and execute all
         documents necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of
         this Clause 13.

                                       12
<PAGE>

13.10    The provisions of this Clause 13 will constitute severable undertakings
         given for our benefit and the benefit of each company in the Group and
         may be enforced by us on behalf of any of them or by any such company
         directly.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                     PART E

                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

14       NOTICE

         In order to terminate your employment under this Agreement, you must
         give to us in writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the
         Key Terms.

         Subject to Clauses 16,17 and 18, you are entitled to receive from us in
         writing not less than the Notice Period set out in the Key Terms. Where
         your employment continues during all part of the Notice Period then,
         for the purpose of the calculation of any bonus payment for such
         period, your personal performance rating will not be less than the
         average of your personal performance ratings over the previous two
         financial years.

         After notice has been given in accordance with this Agreement or
         following any period of Garden Leave under Clause 15, we may at our
         discretion terminate your employment by paying you a sum in lieu of the
         unexpired portion of the Notice Period. Such payment will be made as
         soon as reasonably practicable and shall be equivalent to the aggregate
         of:

         (a)      your Base Salary;

         (b)      your bonus (calculated by reference to the average of actual
                  bonus payments, if any, over the previous two financial years
                  provided that, where your employment is terminated in
                  accordance with this paragraph within five years of the date
                  of this Agreement, this amount will be no less than the
                  average of the actual bonuses paid for the Company's financial
                  years 2000/01 and 2001/02);

         (c)      the cash allowance in lieu of your Company car.

         each pro rata to the unexpired portion of the Notice Period and shall
         be deemed to include compensation for any other payments or benefits
         which you might otherwise have received during the Notice Period, other
         than pension benefits (which are dealt with below). The payment shall
         be subject to income tax witholdings and normal statutory and
         voluntary, if any, deductions, together with any amounts you owe to us.
         You will not under any circumstances have any right to receive a
         payment in lieu of the Notice Period unless we have exercised our
         option to do so.

         If we terminate your employment in accordance with the preceding
         paragraph, the Top Hat Program benefit will be calculated based on your
         age at the notional expiry of your Notice Period and the amount of
         credited service will be equal to your actual credited service plus the
         unexpired portion of the Notice Period. For the avoidance of doubt, the
         benefit will be based on your final five-year average covered
         compensation (as defined in the rules of the Top Hat Program) at your
         Termination Date. Your active participation in CASH and SIP will cease
         on your date of termination. We will credit your CASH and SIP Make-up
         Accounts with an amount which is equivalent to the amount we would have
         contributed on your behalf to CASH, SIP and the CASH and SIP Make-up
         Accounts during the unexpired portion of your notice period.

                                       14
<PAGE>

         You will be responsible for any income tax or other statutory and
         voluntary deductions payable on any sums paid to you under this
         section.

15       GARDEN LEAVE AND SUSPENSION

         We may at any time or from time to time suspend you from the
         performance of your duties and/or exclude you from any of the premises
         of the Group:

         (a)      during all or any part of your Notice Period (defined as a
                  period of "GARDEN LEAVE") where we reasonably believe that you
                  are, or will be at any time during your Notice Period,
                  engaged, concerned or interested in any business concern in
                  circumstances requiring our prior written consent under Clause
                  20.1; or

         (b)      for no longer than one month at any one time, in circumstances
                  in which we reasonably believe that you are guilty of
                  misconduct or are in breach of this Agreement and in order
                  that the circumstances giving rise to that belief may be
                  investigated (defined as a period of "SUSPENSION").

         We are not obliged to give you any powers or duties or to provide any
         work for you. During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension we may
         appoint any other individual to perform your duties.

         Base Salary and other benefits will continue to be paid during any
         period of Garden Leave or Suspension.

         During any period of Garden Leave or Suspension, you will:

         (a)      be bound by the provisions of this Agreement (including your
                  obligations under clauses 12, 13 and 20) and must continue at
                  all times to conduct yourself with good faith towards us and
                  not do anything that is harmful to us or any company in the
                  Group;

         (b)      not contact or deal with customers, suppliers or employees of
                  any member of the Group or enter onto the premises of any
                  member of the Group without the prior written consent of the
                  Reporting Person; and

         (c)      remain available to perform any reasonable duties required by
                  us; if you do not, we will not be obliged to pay your Base
                  Salary and other benefits during any period in which you are
                  not available.

                                       15
<PAGE>

16       DISABILITY

         If in our reasonable opinion you become Permanently Disabled, we may
         terminate your employment by giving to you in writing not less than the
         Notice Period set out in the Key Terms. In this event any payments to
         which you are entitled during your notice period will be subject to the
         deduction of any sums payable under the Salary Continuation Plan and
         the Long Term Disability Plan.

17       DISMISSAL WITHOUT NOTICE

         We may summarily terminate your employment without notice or any
         compensation or payment in lieu thereof if you:

         (a)      are convicted of or plead no contest to any criminal offence
                  other than a minor misdemeanour, or an offence under road
                  traffic legislation for which a penalty other than
                  imprisonment is imposed; or

         (b)      commit any act of dishonesty or serious or persistent
                  misconduct, any act of gross negligence or other material
                  breach or non-observance of this Agreement; or

         (c)      are declared bankrupt or enter into any arrangement with or
                  for the benefit of your creditors; or

         (d)      are guilty of conduct which is inconsistent with our interests
                  or the interests of any company in the Group; or

         (e)      are or become disqualified from being an employee or director
                  by reason of an order made by any competent court (except a
                  court of a country or jurisdiction which the parties may
                  agree, from time to time, as being excluded from this
                  provision).

         Your entitlements to Base Salary and all other benefits will cease on
         the day your employment is summarily terminated.

18       RETIREMENT

         Your employment will terminate automatically on the date when you reach
         age 62 years.

         If this date occurs prior to the expiry of the Notice Period, then you
         will only be entitled to receive such notice (or payment in lieu of
         notice) for the period up to that date.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                     PART F

            RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS / AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT /
                             WHILST ON GARDEN LEAVE

19       RETURN OF PROPERTY; RESIGNATIONS FROM OFFICE; TRANSFER OF SHARES

         Unless otherwise agreed, at the end of your employment or on your being
         put on Garden Leave for whatever reason you must return all documents,
         computer files or tapes, credit cards, computers, mobile phones,
         company cars and all other items of property in your possession or
         control belonging to, or containing any confidential information of, us
         or any company in the Group or its customers or suppliers.

         At the end of your employment or on your being put on Garden Leave for
         whatever reason you must on request:

         (a)      resign any directorship or other office held by you in the
                  Company or any company in the Group; and

         (b)      transfer to us or as we may direct any shares or other
                  securities held by you as nominee or trustee for the Company
                  or any company in the Group without payment in either case.

         If you fail to do so within one week of request, you hereby irrevocably
         authorise us as your attorney-in-fact to appoint a person in your name
         and on your behalf to execute any documents or do any things necessary
         for such purpose(s).

20       RESTRICTIONS

20.1     NON-COMPETITION

         Without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement you will not
         without our prior written consent directly or indirectly, except in
         connection with the performance of your duties under this Agreement, at
         any time during the period you are employed by the Company or at any
         time during the Relevant Period engage or be concerned or interested in
         any business concern which (a) competes or (b) will at any time during
         the Relevant Period compete with the Business. This clause will not
         restrain you from being engaged or concerned in any business insofar as
         your duties or work shall relate solely:

         (i)      to geographical areas where the business concern is not in
                  competition with the Business; or

         (ii)     to services or activities of a kind other than involving the
                  Relevant Goods or Services.

                                       17
<PAGE>

20.2     NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-DEALING

         You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly,
         except in connection with the performance of your duties under this
         Agreement, at any time during the time you are employed by the Company
         or at any time during the Relevant Period:

         (a)      solicit the custom of; or

         (b)      facilitate the solicitation of; or

         (c)      do business with

         any Relevant Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services; or

         (a)      solicit the custom of; or

         (b)      facilitate the solicitation of; or

         (c)      do business with

         any Prospective Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services;
         or

         (a)      interfere; or

         (b)      endeavour to interfere,

         with their continuance of supplies to us and / or any company in the
         Group (or the terms relating to those supplies) by any Relevant
         Supplier.

20.3     NON-ENTICEMENT

         You will not without our prior written consent directly or indirectly,
         except in connection with the performance of your duties under this
         Agreement, at any time during the time you are employed by the Company
         or at any time during the Relevant Period:

         (a)      entice away from us or any company in the Group; or

         (b)      endeavour to entice away from us or any company in the Group;
                  or

         (c)      employ or engage; or

         (d)      endeavour to employ to engage

         any Key Personnel.

20.4     The provisions of this Clause 20 shall constitute severable
         undertakings given for our benefit and the benefit of each company in
         the Group and may be enforced by us on behalf of any of them or by any
         such company directly.

20.5     You will not at any time after the end of your employment directly or
         indirectly represent yourself as being in any way connected with or
         interested in the business of the Group (except, if it be true, as a
         shareholder of BOC Group plc or as a director of BOC Group plc).

                                       18
<PAGE>

20.6     You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Clause 20, in
         view of the nature of the businesses in which the Group is engaged, are
         reasonable and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests
         of the Group.

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                     PART G

                                  OTHER MATTERS

21       INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

         You hereby recognize and acknowledge that a breach of the provisions or
         covenants contained in Clauses 12,13,19 or 20 will cause irreparable
         damage to the Company and the Group and their goodwill, the exact
         amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that
         the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate.
         Accordingly, you hereby agree that in the event of a breach of any of
         the provisions or covenants contained in Clauses 12,13,19 or 20, in
         addition to any other remedy which may be available at law or in
         equity, the Company and the Group will be entitled to specific
         performance and injunctive relief.

22       SEVERABILITY AND REFORMATION

         The parties hereto acknowledge that they have carefully reviewed the
         provisions of this Agreement and agree that they are fair and
         equitable. However, in light of the possibility of differing
         interpretations of law and changes in circumstances, the parties agree
         that if any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
         determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
         unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement shall,
         to the extent permitted by law, remain in full force and effect and
         shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Moreover, if any
         of the provisions contained in this Agreement is determined by a court
         of competent jurisdiction to be excessively broad as to duration,
         activity, geographic application or subject, such provision shall be
         construed, by limiting or reducing it to the extent legally permitted,
         so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable
         law.

23       DIRECTORSHIP

         You will not except with our consent during your employment do anything
         which could lead to you being disqualified from continuing to act as an
         employee or director of the Company or any company in the Group.

24       DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE

         The disciplinary rules applicable to your employment can be found in
         our disciplinary policy and may be varied by us from time to time. Our
         disciplinary policy does not form part of your contract and is not
         legally binding on us.

         In the event that you are dissatisfied with any disciplinary action
         taken against you or have any grievance relating to your employment you
         should refer the matter to the appropriate person or committee
         specified in our grievance procedure, who or which will give you a full
         and fair hearing and whose decision will be final and binding.

         Our disciplinary policy and grievance procedure are set out and
         available to you on our intranet site.

                                       20
<PAGE>

25       NOTICES

         Any notice to be given under this Agreement may be given either
         personally or by registered mail, return receipt requested:

         o        to us at our registered office for the time being; or

         o        to you at your last known address.

         Any notice given by post will be effective on the second day (Sundays
         excepted) after it is posted. In proving that it was effective, it will
         be enough to prove that the notice was properly addressed and posted as
         a pre-paid first class letter.

26       OTHER AGREEMENTS

         You acknowledge that there are no other agreements or arrangements
         whether written, oral or implied between the Company or any member of
         the Group and you relating to your employment; all such previous
         agreements or arrangements are cancelled. You are not entering into
         this Agreement in reliance on any representation not set out in this
         Agreement.

27       COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS

         There are no collective bargaining agreements with trade unions which
         directly or indirectly affect your terms and conditions of employment.

28       DATA PROTECTION

         You consent to us and the Group holding and processing both
         electronically and manually the data it collects which relates to you
         for the purposes of the administration and management of its employees
         and its business and for compliance with applicable procedures, laws
         and regulations. You also consent to the transfer of such personal
         information to other offices we or the Group may have or to other
         third parties whether or not outside the European Economic Area or the
         United States for administration purposes and other purposes in
         connection with your employment where it is (in our view) necessary or
         desirable for us to do so.

         You are also referred to our data protection policy, which is set out
         and available to you on our intranet site.

                                       21
<PAGE>

29       SUCCESSORS

         The rights and obligations of this Agreement shall bind and inure to
         the benefit of any successor of the Company or the Group.

30       AMENDMENT; WAIVER

         No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or
         discharged unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in
         writing and signed by the parties. No waiver by either party hereto, at
         any time, of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance
         with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
         such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
         provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent
         time.

31       SURVIVAL

         The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that all the terms, provisions
         and restrictions set forth in terms set forth in Clauses 12,13,20,21
         and 22 shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with
         their terms, notwithstanding any termination of your employment with
         the Company.

32       GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
         laws of the State of New Jersey in the United States without regard to
         the choice of law provisions thereof.

33       COUNTERPARTS

         This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in counterparts,
         each of which shall be deemed an original, but both such counterparts
         shall together constitute one and the same document.

IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of the parties
to it on the day and year first before written.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                                ASSIGNMENT TERMS

         This Schedule supplements the main terms and conditions of your
         employment set out in the main body of this Agreement and should also
         be read in conjunction with "Going Global with BOC - Your Guide to
         International Assignments" (the "Handbook") from time to time, which is
         set out and available to you on our intranet site. You should read the
         Handbook for a full explanation of the policies covering international
         assignments and definitions of the various terms used in this Schedule.

         DEFINITIONS

         In this Schedule:

         o        "Home Company" means the BOC Group, Inc., a Delaware
                  Corporation;

         o        "Home Country" means the United States of America;

         o        "Host Company" means The BOC Group plc, a company incorporated
                  under the laws of England and Wales; and

         o        "Host Country" means the United Kingdom.

         COMMENCEMENT

         The start date for your Host Company Assignment (as defined above) is
         12 July 2001 (the "Assignment Start Date") and is subject to prior
         receipt of any required work permit,

         o        visas for you and the members your family accompanying you and
                  any other authorizations which may be necessary, and

         o        satisfactory medical reports for you and each member of your
                  family accompanying you.

         In the event that there is a delay to these formalities it may be
         necessary to re-arrange the proposed Assignment Start Date.

         DURATION

         Your assignment under this Schedule 1 (the "Host Company Assignment")
         shall enable you to undertake of the duties of Chief Executive,
         Industrial and Special Products, of the Host Company for such period as
         the Host Company requires. During the Host Company Assignment, your
         office location will be Chertsey Road, Windlesham, United Kingdom or
         such other location within a 25 mile radius of Windlesham as we may
         from time to time require and you will report to Mr A E Isaac, Chief
         Executive. Subject to earlier termination under the applicable terms of
         the Agreement, the assignment is expected to be for a period of 3 years
         from the Assignment Start Date but this period may be varied subject to
         mutual agreement between you, your Home Company and your Host Company.

         OBLIGATIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

         You must devote the whole of your working time and attention to the
         assignment and in consequence you are not permitted to engage in any
         other business activity in your host country or any other occupation
         undertaken for profit or gain.

                                       23
<PAGE>

         You will be expected to comply with local conditions of employment and
         administrative procedures including safety regulations, local working
         hours, works rules, and business expense claims.

         As a representative of BOC you will be expected to comply with the
         local laws, customs and regulations in your host country.

         SPONSORSHIP

         Your Company sponsor for the purposes of this assignment will be the
         Group HR Director. The sponsor's role is described in the Handbook. If
         you accept this offer you should arrange a meeting with your sponsor
         prior to commencing the assignment.

         REMUNERATION

         Your notional salary will be US$ 394,500 per annum.

         Your assignment salary has been calculated using a market rate approach
         and will be Pound Sterling315,000 with effect from 1 June 2002 (the
         "Assignment Salary").

         Although we are not obliged to increase the Assignment Salary, it will
         be reviewed annually on 01 January and from time to time.

         BONUS

         Your bonus arrangements will continue as specified in your contract of
         employment, but will be based on the Assignment Salary, and will be
         made after prior deduction of Host Country hypothetical tax at the
         appropriate marginal rate.

         TAX ADVICE

         At the Host Company's expense, at the beginning of your assignment you
         will obtain tax advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers with respect to the
         relevant tax obligations. During your assignment, the Host Company will
         pay for relevant tax preparation assistance and tax reconciliation
         through PricewaterhouseCoopers.

         Subject to any local restrictions you may choose how you split the
         payment of the Assignment Salary between Home Country and Host Country
         currency, in line with the Handbook.

         VACATION AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

         Your annual contractual vacation arrangements will continue. In
         addition, you will be entitled to public holidays as observed by your
         Host Company.

         Your Host Company will provide you and the accompanying members of your
         family with annual business class return air tickets to your Home
         Country. You may alternatively choose to be provided with an Annual
         Travel Budget as described in the Handbook. Your Host Company will
         provide details of your Annual Travel Budget once you have commenced
         your assignment.

         MEDICAL COVER

         For the duration of your assignment you and the eligible members of
         your family will continue to be enrolled in the US Comprehensive
         Medical and Dental Plan. Any medical or dental costs not covered under
         these schemes, or under any UK scheme in which you participate in
         accordance with the following paragraph, will be to your own account.
         Your personal contribution for these plans will continue to be deducted
         from that part of your Assignment Salary paid in your Home Country.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         For the duration of your assignment you will also be eligible to
         participate in the UK private medical insurance scheme, subject to the
         rules of such scheme from time to time.

         If you are absent from work due to illness or injury, you will continue
         to receive your Assignment Salary and local benefits (less any Social
         Security benefits to which you may be entitled either in your host or
         home countries) for the first twelve weeks of such absence. Thereafter
         your Host Company may, at its discretion, request your Home Company to
         terminate this assignment and repatriate you and your accompanying
         family.

         You are responsible for claiming benefits to which you are entitled
         in your Home Country or Host Country.

         In the event of the death or serious illness of a member of your or
         your partner's immediate family, your Host Company will provide you
         and, if necessary, members of your accompanying family, with a business
         class return air fare for compassionate leave.

         RELOCATION AND REPATRIATION

         Your Host Company will provide business class air fares for you, and
         the members of your accompanying family, between your Home Country and
         Host Country on taking up your assignment and back at the end of your
         assignment or your employment, if your employment is terminated by the
         Host Company, unless such termination occurs under Clause 17 of this
         Agreement. The cost of shipping a reasonable quantity of personal
         effects to the Host Country and their return will also be covered in
         accordance with the Handbook.

         Your Host Company will pay to you a relocation allowance at the
         beginning and end of your assignment (including where your employment
         is terminated in the circumstances set out above) equivalent to one
         month's Base Salary. This is intended to cover incidental expenses such
         as mail-diversion, movement of personal effects, etc. You may also
         receive a settling in allowance as set out in the Handbook.

         HOST COUNTRY HOUSING

         Your Host Company will provide you with furnished accommodation and
         meet related costs in accordance with the Handbook.

         You are responsible for the provision of soft furnishings including
         linen, kitchenware, crockery, glassware and minor electrical equipment.

         HOME COUNTRY HOUSING

         Neither the Host Company nor the Home Company assumes any
         responsibility for the disposal, renting, maintenance or any other
         matter relating to any real property that you may own, rent or purchase
         in your Home Country or elsewhere.

         CAR

         We will provide you with a car in accordance with our Car Scheme and
         Car Holders Guide from time to time, which are set out and available to
         you on our Intranet site. You may elect instead to receive a monthly
         cash allowance in lieu of a motor car.

         You will observe the provisions and conditions of any policy of
         insurance and our Car Scheme and Car Holders Guide in force from time
         to time.

                                       25
<PAGE>

         CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

         The Host Company will pay for private schooling in your Host Country,
         for your children, as agreed with your Host Company.

         HOME COUNTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

         You will continue to be eligible for U.S. retirement, savings
         investment, and all other benefit plans for which you were eligible if
         you were not on assignment. Your contributions for these plans will be
         based on your notional base salary and deductions will be made
         accordingly from the part of your salary paid in the US.

         During this assignment you will continue to be covered by the BOC Group
         Personal Accident and Injury Scheme.

         COMPLETION OF ASSIGNMENT

         It is the Company's intention that on successful completion of this
         assignment, you will move on to a position which will enable you to
         continue to develop your career and where BOC can benefit from the
         skills and experience.

         On return to your Home Country following successful completion of the
         assignment you will revert to your Home Company terms and conditions of
         employment as set out in the contract of employment (but subject to
         your notional salary for the time being), and the additional benefits
         associated with your assignment will cease to apply.

         In extreme circumstances it may not be immediately possible to offer
         you an appropriate on-going position at the end of the assignment. If
         this is the case you will be guaranteed employment from the date of
         your return to your Home Company at your then notional salary and on
         the standard Home Company terms and conditions for the lesser of six
         months or until you secure another position with the Company. During
         this period every effort will continue to be made to place you in a
         suitable on-going position.

         In the event that no suitable on-going employment opportunity has been
         found at the end of six months, normal severance and notice conditions
         will apply, as defined in the Key Terms.

         EARLY TERMINATION OF ASSIGNMENT

         Your assignment may be terminated early if:

         o        you give not less than 3 months' written notice to your Home
                  Company, or

         o        your Home Company gives written notice to you to take effect
                  either immediately or at any time stated in the notice if in
                  the absolute discretion of your Home Company, for any reason
                  (including, but not limited to sickness or other incapacity),
                  it is impracticable or undesirable for the assignment to
                  continue; or

         o        your employment is terminated.

         On early termination of the assignment by your Home Company:

         o        repatriation arrangements will apply as if the assignment has
                  been completed, and

                                       26
<PAGE>

         o        you will be reimbursed for unavoidable expense incurred as a
                  result of termination for a maximum period of 3 months from
                  repatriation.

         Where termination results from notice given by you or in accordance
         with Clause 17 of this Agreement, you will be responsible for all
         arrangements and costs associated with your repatriation.

         MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

         Throughout the assignment you will remain an employee of your home
         company but once you leave your current job to take up this assignment,
         your terms and conditions of employment are supplemented by the terms
         of this letter and attachments.

         LAW

         This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
         laws of the State of New Jersey in the United States without regard to
         the choice of law provisions thereof.

                                       27
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of
         the parties to it on the day and year first before written.

         Signed by...............................A E Isaac
         for and on behalf of
         the Company
         in the presence of:

         Witness     R K Lourey

         Name        R Lourey

         Address     Wimbledon

         I confirm that I have read and understood this Agreement, including
         Schedule 1 thereto, and on that basis I accept the terms and conditions
         contained in this Agreement.

         Signed by you..........................J L Walsh
         in the presence of:

         Witness    Kay Hope

         Name       Kay Hope

         Address    The BOC Group
                    Chertsey Rd
                    Windlesham
                    Surrey GU20 6HJ

                                       28

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