AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS -- (Marketwire) -- 01/23/13 -- AkzoNobel today announced that Graeme Armstrong will become Managing Director Surface Chemistry and Country Director for North America. Armstrong is currently Executive Committee member responsible for Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I). He succeeds Bob Margevich, who has chosen to go into retirement.

Armstrong will assume his new responsibilities on April 1 and will work alongside Margevich during the first two months to ensure a smooth transition. A process to find a successor for Armstrong in RD&I is ongoing. Armstrong will continue his RD&I responsibilities until a successor is announced.

Armstrong joined AkzoNobel in 2008 following the acquisition of ICI, where he led the company's RD&I function. Prior to joining ICI, Armstrong spent 19 years in the detergents industry for Unilever and JohnsonDiversey.

"I would like to congratulate Graeme with his new role," said Ton Büchner, CEO of AkzoNobel. "It was his clear wish to return to a business role, following a highly successful tenure as head of our RD&I activities. On behalf of myself and the Executive Committee, I would like to wish Graeme luck in his new position and thank Bob for his invaluable contributions to the company."

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AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today™.

Pdf file AkzoNobel press release:

http://hugin.info/130660/R/1672355/543854.pdf

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Source: Akzo Nobel NV via Thomson Reuters ONE

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