Akzo Nobel appoints John McLaren Director of Corporate Communications

Akzo Nobel appoints John McLaren Director of Corporate Communications Arnhem, the Netherlands, November 8, 2004 - Akzo Nobel today announced a further strategic appointment, with John McLaren (41) joining the Company as Director of Corporate Communications. John McLaren joins Akzo Nobel after a highly successful period with DSM, where he was responsible for the communication of the company's Vision 2005 strategy. During his tenure, DSM's Corporate Communications department was awarded Communicatie magazine's best media relations department, and the Henri Sijthoff Prize for the best Annual Report in the Netherlands. Prior to DSM, Mr. McLaren worked in London for Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation as Director of Communications at News Network and in Washington DC for the WorldSpace Corporation, the international satellite broadcaster. Akzo Nobel Chairman, Hans Wijers, said: "We are delighted to welcome such a proven corporate communicator to Arnhem. John McLaren's experience in international strategic communications will be a major asset to Akzo Nobel as we set about the business of better explaining ourselves as a company. I am convinced that our shareholders and employees will gain great value through a wider and deeper understanding of Akzo Nobel's mission and strategy, and John will be key to our achieving this objective." John McLaren added: "I am very pleased to have been able to join up with Akzo Nobel, and wholly embrace Mr. Wijers' vision of the future for Akzo Nobel. I am honored to be taking on this challenging role for one of Europe's biggest companies. I believe that communications has become one of the fundamental success drivers for global companies. Ensuring that key stakeholders, externally and internally, understand the company, its philosophy and strategy, is more than just good PR; it can be the difference between success and failure. "Akzo Nobel has a fantastic heritage, and I look forward to being a part of an even better and more successful future." - - - Note for the editor John McLaren was appointed on October 21, 2004. Not for publication - for more information Akzo Nobel N.V., Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 26 366 4343, Contact: John Jennings Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2003 totaled EUR 13 billion. The Company currently employs some 63,000 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for 2004 will be published on February 4, 2005. Internet: www.akzonobel.com Safe Harbor Statement* This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please refer to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the Company's website. * Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/11/08/20041108BIT20280/wkr0001.pdf Pressmeddelandet som pdf