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The Supervisory Board of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines N.V.
today announced it intends to appoint five new members. Having successfully completed its share exchange transaction
with Air France, KLM said it will now adjust the constitution of its Supervisory Board as
agreed with Air France. The nine-member KLM Supervisory Board will henceforth
consist of five Dutch members and four appointed by Air France.
The KLM Supervisory Board
said it intends to appoint Hans N.J. Smits as a new Dutch member. He will join the existing Dutch members Mrs. Asscher-Vonk and Messrs.
Storm, Kok, and Geersing. Air France has nominated Messrs. J.F. Henri
Martre, Jean-Didier F.C. Blanchet, Henri Guillaume, and Remmert Laan. The current
non-Dutch members Eustace, Wilson, and Van den Berghe will be stepping down.
Messrs. Maljers and Van Lede will also be leaving the KLM Supervisory Board to
join the Conseil d'Administration of Air France (later to be renamed Air
France-KLM). In its new constitution, the board will be chaired by Mr. Storm.
Hans Smits (54) has extensive experience in the airline industry, having served as
Director General and later Secretary General of the Dutch Ministry of Transport. He
was also President & CEO of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from 1992 through
1998. He later served as President & CEO of Rabobank. Mr. Smits is currently
Director of Arthur D. Little, Netherlands.
Jean-Didier Blanchet (64) served Air France for many years, rising to the post of
Chief Executive Officer. He later served as CEO of the Le Méridien hotel chain. He is,
among other things, currently Chairman of the French organization Cercle des
Transports, which protects the interests of transport companies.
Henri Guillaume (61) was previously Chairman of ANVAR, a French governmental
organization actively involved in promoting corporate innovation, research, and
development. Until 1999, Mr. Guillaume was Vice President of ERAP, predecessor
of the Elf concern.
Remmert Laan (62) has worked for the French corporate bank Lazard Frères since
1979, and holds directorships at various Dutch, Belgian, and French companies.
Henri Martre (76) was Chairman & CEO of Aérospatiale and stood at the cradle of
the successful European multinational aircraft manufacturer Airbus. He was
Vice-Chairman of the Airbus Supervisory Board until 1992. Mr. Martre currently
holds directorships at various companies in the airline industry.
The KLM Supervisory Board
said it intends to appoint these new members following the Annual General Shareholders' Meeting on June
23, 2004, in Amstelveen. |
