4.26.2004 ET

(CSRwire) Following an extensive international recruitment process, AccountAbility is delighted to announce the appointment of Maria Sillanpää as Managing Director.

Maria is one of a small number of people renowned internationally as a practitioner in the fields of social and sustainability accounting, reporting and assurance. She joins AccountAbility after 5 years working for KPMG's Global Sustainability Services in London where she had overall responsibility for leading and developing work on social accountability, supply chains and business integrity.

Before joining KPMG, Maria spent six years managing the award-winning Ethical Audit Team at The Body Shop International where she was responsible for the design and implementation of social auditing and for the publication of the company's non-financial Values Reports.

Tom Delfgaauw, Chair of AccountAbility Council and former Vice President of Sustainable Development at Shell International, commented, "The appointment of a managing director to AccountAbility is further proof of the tremendous growth that the organisation is enjoying; growth in size and scope, growth in influence and growth in professionalism. Solid governance structures have always been a strong feature in AccountAbility, and together with Simon Zadek, the CEO, Maria Sillanpää will help lift the organisation to the next level of achievement. Maria is an extremely well-liked and respected individual and we are delighted that she has chosen to accept the appointment and wish her every success."

Prior to her acceptance of the role of Managing Director Maria contributed to AccountAbility in numerous ways since it's inception in 1995. A member of the founding Executive Committee, Maria was also instrumental in setting up the AA1000 Framework and Assurance Standard, as well as serving as Director of the Operational Board since April 1999.

AccountAbility is delighted to welcome such a committed and experienced professional to take on this challenging new role. As Maria said, "Over the last ten years the world of corporate responsibility and accountability has matured at a remarkable speed whilst growing increasingly complex and multifaceted. One thing is certain however; accountability. Whether related to the behaviours of corporate, governmental or civil society actors accountability is and will remain at the very epicentre of the global debate. Over the years I have been pleased to observe the tremendous input that AccountAbility has already made to the debate, and am even more pleased now that I have the opportunity to join a team that has clearly established a reputation as one of the pre-eminent organisations working in this important area."

The entire AccountAbility team is now looking forward to July when Maria will join them as Managing director. Simon Zadek, CEO, summed up by saying, "We are all delighted that Maria has accepted this new and important role with AccountAbility, and are all looking forward to working with her to further develop both our organisation and the impact we have."

Notes to Editors:
1. AccountAbility's mission is to promote accountability for sustainable development within business, NGOs and government. Headquartered in London, it is an international professional institute committed to enhancing the standards and performance of organisations and individuals. It has a global membership of organisations and individuals, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Nike, KPMG, the Co-operative Bank, BT and Novo Nordisk.
2. AccountAbility's web address is www.accountability.org.uk

For more information please contact: