Tom Knutzen to be new CEO of Danisco

12/08/05 Tom Knutzen, 43, is to be the next CEO of Danisco. He replaces Alf Duch-Pedersen, who as planned retires at the end of August 2006 when he turns 60.

Alf Duch-Pedersen has been CEO of Danisco since 1 May 1997, and together with the Executive Board he has carried out a successful refocusing of Danisco from conglomerate to leading supplier of ingredients to the global food industry.

Tom Knutzen joins the Executive Board as of 1 February 2006. He will spend the first three months – with Alf Duch-Pedersen as CEO – getting to know Danisco's business and organisation. On 1 May 2006, Tom Knutzen will take over as CEO of Danisco. Alf Duch-Pedersen will be available to the Company up to 31 August 2006.

Tom Knutzen comes from a position as President and CEO of the NKT Group's listed parent company, NKT Holding A/S, where he has been employed since 1996, first as CFO and since May 2000 as President and CEO. NKT is a global industrial group reporting annual revenue of around DKK 8 billion in 2004 and with some 6,000 employees. The group's principal activities include the development and sale of professional cleaning equipment and optical power cables. Tom Knutzen holds an MSc in strategic and financial planning.

The choice of Tom Knutzen as Danisco's new CEO is the result of a thorough and meticulous selection process. Tom Knutzen's international business profile, his management capabilities and the positive results achieved by NKT under his leadership were decisive factors in the Board of Directors' choice.

http://www.danisco.com/cms/connect/corporate/media+relations/news/frontpage/investor_177_en.htm