AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, April 5, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Wolters Kluwer, a leading multinational publisher and information services company, announced today that Christopher Ainsley, president and CEO of the Wolters Kluwer Health Division, has resigned from the Chicago-based company for personal reasons. His resignation will be effective following a brief transition period. Hugh Yarrington, member of the Wolters Kluwer Executive Board, will serve as interim CEO.
Mr. Yarrington has been a member of the Wolters Kluwer Executive Board since 1998. During this time, he was responsible, at various times, for the Legal, Tax & Business North America, Education, Legal, Tax & Business Asia Pacific, and Health divisions, as well as for technology and human resources worldwide. Prior to joining the Executive Board, Mr. Yarrington was with CCH Incorporated, where he served as president from 1996 through 1998.
"Christopher has led the Health Division through a time of significant change in the health and medical information markets," said Nancy McKinstry, Wolters Kluwer's Chairman. "Wolters Kluwer Health is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for its information, including our traditional products in print as well as customer-focused workflow tools and new information solutions for healthcare professionals. Hugh is a seasoned professional with broad operating experience who is well known to Wolters Kluwer Health and has spent considerable time working with the division's leadership in recent months. I am confident that Hugh will advance the momentum and meet our previously articulated guidance for the division as we transition to new, long-term leadership there."
About Wolters Kluwer Health
Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading provider of information for professionals and students in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Facts & Comparisons; online information services including Ovid Technologies, Medi-Span and SKOLAR; and pharmaceutical information provider Adis International.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer (Euronext Amsterdam: WKL) is a leading multinational publisher and information services company. The company's core markets are in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal and regulatory, and education sectors. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2003) of Euro 3.4 billion, employs approximately 19,500 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its depositary receipts of shares are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.
Wolters Kluwer Contacts
Investors/Analysts Oya Yavuz Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: +31 (0)20 6070 407 ir@wolterskluwer.com
Media Caroline Wouters Manager, External Communications Tel: +31 (0)20 6070 459 press@wolterskluwer.com
Wolters Kluwer Health Connie Hofmann Director, Communications Tel: + 1 215-521-8511 Chofmann@wkhealth.com