KLM Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer Rob J.N. Abrahamsen (63) will retire on July 25, 2001. The KLM Supervisory Board has decided to appoint Rob A. Ruijter as his successor. Mr. Ruijter will join the company on March 1, 2001.

Rob Ruijter (49) completed the greater part of his academic career in the United States, qualifying as Certified Public Accountant (CPA). From 1970 to 1983, he held various accounting positions at De Tombe & Melse and later Ernst & Young Accountants. He worked at British Petroleum from 1983 to 1993, rising to the post of Managing Director & CEO of BP Sweden. At Philips, he was Director of Finance of the Philips Group from 1993 to 1996, and Executive Vice President & CFO of Philips Lighting from 1996 to 2000. From early 2000 through October of that year, he was Executive Vice President & CFO of Baan Company NV, among other things responsible for the company’s financial reorganization and mergers & acquisitions activities. In this capacity, he was closely involved in negotiations that culminated in the acquisition of Baan Company by Invensys Plc. Mr. Ruijter’s qualities and experience are considered a valuable asset to the KLM Board of Managing Directors.

The KLM Works Council has issued a positive recommendation on the proposed appointment of Mr. Ruijter. The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be given notice of the intended appointment of Mr. Ruijter to the KLM Board of Managing Directors effective July 25, 2001, at its meeting to be held on that date.

Following the retirement of Mr. Abrahamsen, the KLM Board of Managing Directors will consist of the following members: President & CEO Leo M. van Wijk, Managing Director & COO Peter F. Hartman, Managing Director & CFO Rob Ruijter, and Managing Director & CHO Cees van Woudenberg.
——-