At today's Annual General Meeting, shareholders of AkzoNobel approved the company's 2011 financial statements and appointed Ton Büchner as member of the Board of Management of Akzo Nobel. Büchner was duly appointed as CEO by the Supervisory Board as announced in June 2011. At the same time, Hans Wijers stepped down from his position as CEO and member of the Board of Management after his long and successful tenure at AkzoNobel, transforming the former conglomerate into the world's largest coatings and specialty chemicals company.

Keith Nichols was reappointed to the Board of Management for another four-year term, and Leif Darner - who will reach the regular retirement age for Board of Management members in 2014 - was reappointed for a two-year term. Rob Frohn stepped down from the Board of Management effective May 1, 2012.