Philips announces planned top management changes

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) today announced that Philips' Supervisory Board has decided to propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders on March 30, 2006, to appoint the current heads of the company's five product divisions as members of Philips' Board of Management, effective April 1, 2006.

Philips' five product divisions are headed by:

 

·Mr. Jouko Karvinen (b. 1957, Finnish), CEO Philips Medical Systems

·Mr. Andrea Ragnetti (b. 1960, Italian), CEO Philips Domestic Appliances and
Personal Care, and Chief Marketing Officer, Royal Philips Electronics

·Mr. Rudy Provoost (b. 1959, Belgian), CEO Philips Consumer Electronics

·Mr. Theo van Deursen (b. 1946, Dutch), CEO Philips Lighting

·Mr. Frans van Houten (b. 1960, Dutch), CEO Philips Semiconductors

 

In commenting on these appointments, Gerard Kleisterlee, President and CEO of Royal Electronics, said, “The current board members and I believe it's important we extend our circle to include the heads of the company's five product divisions, as these colleagues play a crucial role in driving profitable growth at Philips. We look forward to working together with them as a team to meet the long-term strategic goals we've set for the company.”

 

Philips also announced that, as planned, Ad Huijser will retire from Philips' Board of Management, effective April 1, 2006. Mr. Huijser combined his membership of the board with the role of Chief Technology Officer.

 

“Ad Huijser has made a significant contribution to Philips during his 35-year career with the company – in particular overseeing the company's research activities that form the cornerstone of the advanced technologies we bring to market. We’ll miss his contribution on the board, and wish him all the best for his retirement,” Mr. Kleisterlee added.

 

In his role of Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Huijser will be succeeded by Rick Harwig (b. 1949, Dutch), currently CEO of Philips Research. The appointment will take effect as of April 1, 2006. In his new capacity, Mr. Harwig will also be a member of the Group Management Committee.

 

Upon the retirement of Mr. Huijser and upon receiving shareholder approval for the new board appointments, there will be a total of eight members on Philips' Board of Management.

 

Note for editors:

 

Below is an overview of the current and new composition of Philips' Board of Management and Group Management Committee:

 

Current

From April 1, 2006

   

Board of Management

Board of Management

Gerard Kleisterlee, President & CEO

Gerard Kleisterlee, President & CEO

Pierre-Jean Sivignon, CFO

Pierre-Jean Sivignon, CFO

Gottfried Dutine

Gottfried Dutine

Ad Huijser (Technology)

Jouko Karvinen

 

Andrea Ragnetti

 

Rudy Provoost

 

Theo van Deursen

 

Frans van Houten

   

Group Management Committee

Group Management Committee

The members of the Board of Management

The members of the Board of Management

plus:

plus:

Jouko Karvinen

Arie Westerlaken (Legal)

Andrea Ragnetti

Tjerk Hooghiemstra (HR)

Rudy Provoost

Daniel Hartert (IT)

Theo van Deursen

Barbara Kux (Procurement)

Frans van Houten

Rick Harwig (Technology)

Arie Westerlaken (Legal)

 

Tjerk Hooghiemstra (HR)

 

Daniel Hartert (IT)

 

Barbara Kux (Procurement)

 

 

For more information on Philips' Board of Management and Group Management Committee including photos, please visit www.newscenter.philips.com. You can also visit http://www.webcast.philips.com/15122005 to access a webcast, which begins at 10:00 AM (CET) today, December 15, covering the announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Gerd Goetz

Philips Corporate Communications
Tel:  +31 20 59 77 77213   
Email:  gerd.goetz@philips.com

Forward-looking statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.


About Royal Philips Electronics :

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.semiconductors.philips.com.