SPEAKER: ANDERS KNUTSEN

Anders Knutsen assumed the leadership of Bang and Olufsen, the Danish audiovisual company, at a point of severe crisis. He rescued a tradition of immaculate design and engineering, so "perfect" that fewer and fewer could afford it! It started with a bang. It nearly ended in a whimper, but, thanks to Knutsen, the Bang is now bigger than ever."

Extract from 21 Leaders for the 21st Century - Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner.

Anders Knutsen graduated from University in Denmark with an MA in Economics in 1973 and began his career in personnel with Bang & Olufsen.

Heading up the Personnel and Working Environment Department for three years, he then moved through the company in various positions, and in 1992 was appointed President and CEO, a position he held for 11 years until July 2001.

He feels his main achievement has been to help turn the company into a thriving business 'without destroying the heart and soul'. Bang & Olufsen has recently been going through a radical period of change, starting with losing approximately 1200 dealers world-wide who didn't comply with its standards.

At the same time it is building a world class distribution to be a strong LIVE statement, integrating with its Internet strategies to expand the brand. The future for Bang & Olufsen is to move from a product to a vision-driven company.

Anders Knutsen also holds a number of Honorary Offices in Denmark, Chairman of Orange A/S, Chairman of L.M.Glasfiber A/S , Deputy Chairman of Danisco A/S and Frits Hansen A/S.