Akzo Nobel Announces Succession in the Board Of Management.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ARNHEM, the Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2003

Akzo Nobel has announced that Rob Frohn (43) will be nominated as a member of the Board of Management at the General Meeting of Shareholders on April 22, 2004. Mr. Frohn will succeed Fritz Frohlich (61) as Chief Financial Officer as of May 1, 2004. Mr. Frohlich will leave Akzo Nobel as of the same date, having reached the retirement age.

Mr. Frohn, General Manager of Akzo Nobel's business unit Surface Chemistry based in Sweden, started his career with the Company in 1984 as a business analyst. After several jobs in the area of control and finance/treasury in the Netherlands and the United States, he became General Manager of the European Detergent Raw Materials unit in 1994. This unit is part of Akzo Nobel's business unit Surface Chemistry. In 1997, he was promoted to General Manager for the Oleochemicals unit of Surface Chemistry. He was appointed to his current position in 2000.

Since 1992, Mr. Frohn has served on the Board of Trustees and the Investment Committee of the Akzo Nobel Pension Fund in the Netherlands.

Hans Wijers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Akzo Nobel: "Rob Frohn has the right qualifications, experience and capabilities that uniquely position him to fulfill the CFO role with the same quality and drive as Fritz Frohlich has always done."

Mr. Frohlich joined Akzo in 1991 as President of the Fibers Group in Wuppertal, Germany. He was appointed to the Board of Management with responsibility for Fibers worldwide in 1993. In 1998 he was promoted to Deputy Chairman of the Akzo Nobel Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer.

Note for the editor

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2002 totaled EUR 14 billion. The Company currently employs approximately 67,500 people in more than 80 countries. Financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 18, 2003.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com

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This press release contains statements, which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals.

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