AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - AkzoNobel is broadening its leadership team with the establishment of an executive committee. The nine-member committee will include the current Board of Management members and four new leaders.

Joining AkzoNobel to form part of the new executive committee is Marjan Oudeman. 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). The members of the executive committee will officially take up their positions on January 1, 2011.

The broadening of the leadership team coincides with several management changes within the company's businesses.

Richard Stuckes, currently Managing Director of Decorative Paints UK, Ireland and South Africa, will be appointed 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. 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, at present 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, staring 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.

Knut Schwalenberg will be appointed Managing Director of Industrial Chemicals, effective January 1, 2011. 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 October 1, 2010.