AkzoNobel has broadened its leadership team. A nine-person executive committee has been established comprised of the current board of management members including Hans Wijers, CEO; Keith Nichols, CFO; Leif Darner, performance coatings; Tex Gunning, decorative paints and Rob Frohn, specialty chemicals 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 for strip products. She will be responsible for human resources and organizational development. Also joining the new leadership team will be Graeme Armstrong, responsible for research, development and innovation; Sven Dumoulin, general counsel and Werner Fuhrmann, supply chain/sourcing.  
    
AkzoNobel also made a number of business unit changes. 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. 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 U.S. to lead Surface Chemistry effective April 1. Jan Svärd will be appointed managing director of Functional Chemicals, effective March 1, 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, 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. 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.