Dr Xiaozhi Liu to join Johnson Matthey as a Non-Executive Director

Xiaozhi has worked extensively in the automotive sector, particularly in China, as well as in Europe and the US. Her knowledge and perspective on technology driven businesses in China and globally will complement and enhance that of our other board members, particularly as the automotive powertrain evolves.

Currently Xiaozhi is the Chief Executive of ASL Automobile Science & Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a consulting and business development company which she founded in June 2009 focusing on automotive innovation and technology commercialisation, particularly for the Chinese market.

Prior to founding ASL, between January 2007 and December 2009, Xiaozhi held positions as President, Chief Executive and Chairman of Neotek Corporation, a manufacturer of brake components and other automobile parts. Before that she held various positions within the General Motors Group, including as Director of Electronics, Controls and Software in the US and Managing Director of General Motors Taiwan.

As well as bringing deep, relevant executive experience, Xiaozhi also holds non-executive director positions at Autoliv, a global automotive safety supplier from Sweden, at Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd, a global automotive glass manufacturing company from China, and at Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, a multinational drink and brewing holdings company based in Leuven, Belgium.

Odile Desforges will stand down from her role as a non-executive director at the end of the company’s Annual General Meeting in July 2019, after six years as a member of our board.

Speaking on these board changes Patrick Thomas, Chairman of Johnson Matthey said:

“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Odile for her valuable contributions, including her automotive industry insights, during her time as a non-executive director and we all wish her well for the future.

I am very pleased to welcome Xiaozhi to our board and I know that we will benefit from the perspective and experience that she brings. This is particularly relevant and valuable to Johnson Matthey as our markets, customers and organisation continue to evolve and grow. We are looking forward to working with her and it is great to have Xiaozhi join the team.”

Disclosures required pursuant to Rule 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (including directorships held in other publicly quoted companies at any time in the previous five years):

Xiaozhi was appointed as a director of Autoliv, Inc in November 2011, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In October 2013, Xiaozhi was appointed as a director of Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

In March 2019, Xiaozhi was appointed as a director of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, a company listed on Euronext Brussels, subject to shareholder approval.

Other than as stated in this announcement, there are no other disclosures required pursuant to Rule 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.