Umicore SA announced changes to the composition of its Executive Committee. William Staron, who is currently Executive Vice President for Catalysis, has decided to retire at the end of 2012. Pascal Reymondet, who is currently Executive Vice President of Performance Materials, will become Executive Vice President of Catalysis.

Stephan Csoma, who is currently Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, will take over from Pascal Reymondet as Executive Vice President of Performance Materials and join the Executive Committee. Stephan has extensive strategic and operational experience that includes setting up Umicore's first industrial operations in China in the mid-1990s, Umicore's Zinc Chemicals operations from 2001 to 2005 and serving as Senior Vice President for Umicore's South American operations between 2005 and 2009. Filip Platteeuw, currently Vice President of Corporate Development, has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Filip brings a strong combination of financial and strategic expertise to the Executive Committee. He joined Umicore in 2004 after nine years in investment and corporate banking and equity research with KBC. Ludo Vandervelden, who is currently CFO, will take up a leadership role outside the Executive Committee.

As Chief Information Officer he will be responsible for Umicore's information systems. He will also assume responsibility for procurement. Umicore will benefit from Ludo's expertise and experience in these two areas. The roles of Marc Grynberg (CEO), Hugo Morel (EVP Recycling), Marc Van Sande (EVP Energy Materials) and Denis Goffaux (CTO) are unchanged.

All of the above appointments will become effective from November 1, 2012.