FRIMLEY, England, November 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens has today announced the appointment of internationally renowned microbiologist and former chairman of GlaxoSmithKline, Sir Richard Sykes, as an advisory board member of Siemens Holdings plc.

Andreas J Goss, chief executive, Siemens plc said, I am delighted to welcome Sir Richard to our board. His great scientific knowledge and extensive experience of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries will be a valuable asset to our company. Sir Richard, a former Rector of Imperial College London, was knighted for his services to the pharmaceutical industry in 1994 and has an unrivalled track record both as a scientist and as a businessman, developing and commercialising some of the world's most significant healthcare therapies.

Sir Richard Sykes, with his broad experience, will bring enormous value to our business, said Mr Goss. Siemens is a renowned medical solutions provider with innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. With our laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. I look forward to working with Sir Richard, said Mr Goss.

Notes to Editors:

Sir Richard Sykes' appointment further strengthens the Siemens Holdings plc board which also comprises: Alan Wood (Chairman), Andreas Goss, Roland Jaksch, Guenter Dombrowe, Gerard Gent, Siegfried Russwurm, Christoph Kollatz, Ralf P Thomas, Sir Ian Robinson (Advisory Member), Dr Martin Read (Advisory Member).

Sir Richard Sykes biography and picture available on request

About Siemens in the UK:

Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 165 years ago. The company employs 20,387 people in the UK, including about 6,000 in the manufacturing sector. Last year's revenues were GBP3.6 billion, including exports of GBP873 million, and it spent almost GBP70 million on research and development. As a leading global engineering company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world's major challenges, across the key industrial sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company's global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit http://www.siemens.co.uk

For more information, contact: Anne Keogh, Siemens plc, Telephone: +44(0)1276-696312, Mobile: +44(0)7808-823545, E-mail: anne.keogh@siemens.com