Umicore restructures Board of Directors

Archiv – The Board of Directors of world wide specialist in precious metals fabrication and recycling Umicore, has elected its current CEO Thomas Leysen as Chairman as of November 2008. His position as CEO will be taken by Marc Grynberg, he is Umicores Chief Financial Officer since 2000 and Executive Vice President of the Automotive Catalyst business since 2006. The present Chairman Karel Vinck of Hoboken, Belgium headquartered Umicore, has expressed his desire to retire upon reaching the age of 70.Belgium | The Board of Directors of world wide specialist in precious metals fabrication and recycling Umicore, has elected its current CEO Thomas Leysen as Chairman as of November 2008. His position as CEO will be taken by Marc Grynberg, he is Umicores Chief Financial Officer since 2000 and Executive Vice President of the Automotive Catalyst business since 2006. The present Chairman Karel Vinck of Hoboken, Belgium headquartered Umicore, has expressed his desire to retire upon reaching the age of 70.
Karel Vinck was CEO of Umicore from 1995 and 2000, a period during which he restructured the activities, restored profitability and created solid foundations for the company to grow. In 2000, he assumed the Chairmanship of the Board. In that capacity, he oversaw the continued transformation of Umicore into a leading global materials technology group, Umicore says.
Karel Vinck comments: ’Technology as well as qualified and motivated people are the main ingredients of a successful company. During 13 years I have had the privilege to work with an outstanding management team and workforce, whose dedication and thoroughness were the foundations of the success of Umicore. The transformation which the company went through has been remarkable, both in terms of financial results as well as social and environmental performance. I am happy and proud to leave at a time when the company is one of the recognized world leaders in its sector. Let me underline the unique relationship I have built with Thomas Leysen, who is an extraordinarily talented leader. With Thomas as Chairman and Marc Grynberg as the new CEO, the company will be in good hands.’
Thomas Leysen became CEO of Umicore in 2000. He has reshaped the company through significant portfolio changes, such as the acquisition of PMG in 2003, the demerger of Cumerio and the IPO of Nyrstar last year, and has fostered a new culture of innovation throughout the company.