AkzoNobel has appointed Ruud Joosten executive committee member responsible for Decorative Paints with effect from the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 26. He will succeed Tex Gunning, member of the board of management, who will step down and retire. Ruud Joosten is currently managing director of Pulp and Performance Chemicals within the Specialty Chemicals Business Area.

Ruud Joosten has extensive experience in Decorative Paints and has been responsible for both mature and high growth regions. In his most recent role, he managed a truly global business in the Specialty Chemicals Business Area. In his new assignment, he will concentrate on adapting Decorative Paints Europe to the challenging market environment and on further expanding Decorative Paints’ presence in key growth markets.

Tex Gunning’s business career spanned more than 25 years in Unilever, lastly as Business Group President. In September 2007, Tex Gunning was appointed CEO of Vedior, a global company in HRM services. After a successful merger with Randstad, he joined AkzoNobel in 2009.

During his tenure at AkzoNobel, Tex Gunning played a crucial role in the integration of ICI’s paints activities into the AkzoNobel organization, resulting in substantial synergy savings. He oversaw the turnaround of Decorative Paints in North America, substantially restructured the European activities and grew the business significantly in high growth markets. Furthermore, he rationalized the Decorative Paints’ brand portfolio, including the creation of a new global brand identity and a worldwide ‘Let’s Colour’ marketing program.