Management

Our Executive Committee makes sure AkzoNobel’s strategies, policies and resources are used to meet our business objectives and targets. While striving to achieve these goals, we always put the interests of our stakeholders first.

As of January 1, 2011 the Executive Committee assumed day-to-day management responsibility for AkzoNobel. AkzoNobel broadened its leadership team in order to accelerate sustainable growth.  A nine-strong Executive Committee (ExCo) was established, which comprises the five members of the Board of Management and four leaders with functional expertise, allowing both the functions and the business areas to be represented at the highest levels in our company.  The functions represented on the ExCo are: HR & Organizational Development, Research, Development & Innovation, Legal and Supply Chain/Sourcing.

Under the chairmanship of our CEO, Hans Wijers, the members of the Executive Committee share powers and responsibility for managing the company efficiently and effectively. However, the CFO alone is specifically responsible for AkzoNobel’s finances.

Dutch law calls for a two-tier corporate structure. This means the Board of Management is accountable for its performance to a separate and independent Supervisory Board.
The Board of Management is also answerable to the shareholders of the company at the Annual General Meeting.

As Mr. Wijers, the CEO, will retire from his current role with effect from April 23, 2012, it shall be proposed to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for Mr. Büchner to succeed Mr. Wijers as CEO/member of the Board of Management with effect from April 23, 2012.  Mr. Büchner has joined the company as per December 1, 2011 and has been appointed as a member of the Executive Committee effective January 1, 2012.

The five Executive Committee members report to the CEO.