Siemens has first woman on board

Global - Former Philips CPO Barbara Kux has joined Siemens as its supply chain chief, becoming the first woman to be appointed to Siemens' managing board.

The 54-year-old Swiss citizen joins the company in the newly created supply chain management organisation and will be responsible for the company's global procurement volume of 42 billion euros (US$5.29 billion).

She will also serve as chief sustainability officer and take over the marketing of the company's cross-sector environmental portfolio, the company said.

Peter Loscher, president and CEO of Siemens said that "in view of the current global economic changes, the appointment of Kux comes at just the right moment. Her responsibility for Siemens' global procurement will give Kux a lever that is critically important for further increasing the company's overall efficiency.

"The first appointment of a woman to the managing board underscores the fact that we at Siemens want more women in top management positions and offer them outstanding career opportunities," he said.