The Netherlands – AkzoNobel has announced it will broaden its leadership team in order to accelerate sustainable growth. The company noted that this decision “should be considered in the context of new strategic ambitions,” which are due to be announced tomorrow at a Capital Markets Day in London.
A nine-strong Executive Committee will be established, comprised of the current Board of Management members and four new leaders.
Joining AkzoNobel to form part of the new Executive Committee is Marjan Oudeman. Once named one of the Wall Street Journal’s “Women to Watch” in Europe, Oudeman previously worked for Tata Steel Limited, where she was divisional director of Strip Products. She will be responsible for human resources and organizational development. Also joining the new leadership team will be Graeme Armstrong (Research, Development and Innovation), Sven Dumoulin (General Counsel) and Werner Fuhrmann (Supply Chain/Sourcing).
“With this enhanced leadership team in place, we will be better positioned to deliver the best innovations, world-class sustainability performance, the most efficient supply chains and the most engaged employees, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our actions,” said CEO Hans Wijers.
“The new set-up will position us to better drive a common agenda across AkzoNobel and enable us to set clearer priorities in managing change,” Wijers added.
The broadening of the leadership team coincides with several management changes within the company’s businesses. The members of the Executive Committee will officially take up their positions on Jan, 1, 2011.
The AkzoNobel Executive Committee:
· Hans Wijers, CEO
· Keith Nichols, CFO
· Leif Darner, Performance Coatings
· Tex Gunning, Decorative Paints
· Rob Frohn, Specialty Chemicals
· Marjan Oudeman, HR and Organizational Development
· Graeme Armstrong, Research, Development and Innovation
· Sven Dumoulin, General Counsel
· Werner Fuhrmann, Supply Chain/Sourcing
Business Unit Changes
Richard Stuckes, currently managing director of Decorative Paints U.K, Ireland and South Africa, will be appointed as managing director AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Europe. He will run the entire AkzoNobel Decorative Paints business in Europe.
Frank Sherman, currently managing director of Surface Chemistry, will focus on his role as country director for AkzoNobel in North America, based in Chicago. Sherman has been instrumental in setting up the North American leadership team and will continue full-time in that role. On April 1, 2011, after leading Surface Chemistry through a restructuring for more than seven years, he will step down from the managing director role.
Bob Margevich, currently managing director of Functional Chemicals based in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, will be appointed managing director of Surface Chemistry, based in Chicago. After three years in Functional Chemicals, Margevich will return to the United States to lead Surface Chemistry effective April 1, 2011.
Jan Svärd will be appointed managing director of Functional Chemicals, effective March 1, 2011, based in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. Svärd is currently managing the Pulp and Paper Chemicals business. Ruud Joosten, currently managing director of Decorative Paints Northern and Eastern Europe, will be appointed managing director of Pulp and Paper Chemicals effective February 1, 2011, based in Gothenburg.
Knut Schwalenberg will be appointed managing director of Industrial Chemicals, effective Jan. 1, based in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. He will succeed Werner Fuhrmann, who has been appointed to AkzoNobel’s new Executive Committee, with responsibility for Supply Chain/Sourcing.
Peter Tomlinson, currently director EMEA at Marine and Protective Coatings, will become regional director AkzoNobel Middle East, effective Oct. 1, initially in parallel to his current role.
