Johnson Matthey now earns close
to 60% of its profits and has approximately 60% of its employees
in the United States, with a major proportion of both in its
Electronic Materials Division. Mr Wells, who was born in Scotland
and graduated at Glasgow University, has lives and worked in
the United States since 1960. He has exceptional experience of
the electronics industry, having held the following positions
during his career:
Fairchild Semiconductor 1969-1983,
rising from Divisional General Manager to Executive Vice President.
General Electric 1983-1985
first as President and CEO of GE's Intersil subsidiary, the head
of GE's semiconductor subsidiaries worldwide.
LSI Logic Corporation 1985-1992
President and COO, later Vice Chairman.
Exar Corporation 1992-1996
President and CEO. Since retiring in 1996 Mr Wells has continued
to serve on Exar's Board in a non-executive capacity.
Mr Wells is also a Board member
of Q Logic Corporation and Align-Rite International.
Commenting on the appointment,
David Davies, Chairman and Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey,
said:
"I am delighted that George Wells
is joining the Board of Johnson Matthey as a non-executive director.
Our businesses in North America, particularly Electronic Materials,
are central to Johnson Matthey's future growth and it is most
important that we have a non-executive director with the relevant
experience. George Wells has that in abundance and we look forward
to his input."
