The Board of Directors of NV Bekaert SA announced it has nominated Ms Mei Ye as independent Director of the Board. The nomination of Ms Ye will be subject to approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, 2014. Ms Mei Ye is an external advisor to McKinsey & Company and an independent Director of the Board of Shenyin & Wanguo Securities Company.

After the General Meeting of May 14, 2014, Baron Buysse will retire after 14 years in the chair of the company's Board. Bert De Graeve, CEO of Bekaert since 2006, will become Chairman of the Board in succession of Baron Buysse. Matthew Taylor, CEO designate since September 2013, will assume the position of CEO of Bekaert.

His nomination as a member of the Board of Directors will be subject to approval by the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Sir Anthony Galsworthy, who has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2004, will retire from the Board, in line with the age limit as stipulated in the company's Statutes.