Cartwright Named CEO Of Wolters Kluwer’s Legal, Tax & Business North America

Media Leader Promotes COO to Top Post

(New York, June 3, 2002) – Legal, Tax & Business North America (LTBNA), a division of Wolters Kluwer nv, announced today that that it has named Christopher A. Cartwright to the position of chief executive officer (CEO) for its $1.3 billion North American unit. The business, which employs more than 6200 people, operates several leading information services and software companies including Aspen Publishers Inc., Bankers Systems Inc., CCH Inc., CCH Legal Information Services, CCH Tax Compliance and CCH Canadian.  Cartwright was promoted to CEO from his current post as chief operating officer (COO) of LTBNA.

Today’s announcement was made by Nancy McKinstry, Executive Board Member of the Wolters Kluwer nv corporation. Cartwright succeeds McKinstry as CEO, and today’s announcement marks McKinstry’s move to full-time Executive Board member for the global organization. McKinstry was named to the board in May, 2001, and holds portfolio responsibilities for LTBNA, global technology and pricing. Cartwright will continue to report to McKinstry, and remains based in New York City.

"Chris is an outstanding leader with a strong track record of growing businesses. He brings deep expertise in information technology, general management, acquisition integration and strategic planning to this position" said McKinstry. She added, "Chris has played a critical role in LTBNA’s expansion in the marketplace, and with his comprehensive understanding of our business and markets, he is well positioned to lead our growing U.S. operations."

The North American unit Cartwright will spearhead includes the market-leading providers of electronic information and services for attorneys, accountants, and business and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Its multi-platform businesses consistently rank as leaders in the research and compliance areas; CCH Publishing, Tax Compliance, Bankers Systems and Legal Information Services hold the top positions in their respective markets. In his new role, Cartwright will have responsibility for all LTBNA operating businesses; his direct reports will include the CEOs of each LTBNA business unit, along with the divisional staff of the company’s financial, technology, business development, communications and human resource areas.

Prior to his appointment to COO in 2001, Cartwright served as president and CEO of CCH Legal Information Services (LIS), a provider of corporate representation, corporate filing and UCC services, and a Wolters Kluwer company. Under his leadership, LIS experienced rapid organic growth, expanded its line of technology-based services and products, completed a series of successful acquisitions and became one of Wolters Kluwer’s most profitable companies worldwide.

Cartwright joined LIS in 1997 as general manager of CT Corporation, LIS’ largest operating unit. At CT Corporation, Cartwright was responsible for a number of the company’s core activities, including service operations, business planning, agent services, government relations and legal precedent. Prior to joining LIS, he served as a senior vice president for Christie’s International Inc., where he was responsible for North American auction operations. Cartwright was previously a management consultant in the Strategic Management Services Group of Coopers & Lybrand.

Cartwright earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors. He is a resident of Manhattan.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Business North America, headquartered in New York, is a unit of Wolters Kluwer nv, Amsterdam. It is comprised of a number of highly respected legal, tax and business information, software and service companies, including Aspen Publishers, Incorporated, New York City/Gaithersburg, MD.; Bankers Systems Incorporated, St. Cloud, MN; CCH Canadian, Toronto; CCH Incorporated, Riverwoods, IL.; CCH Legal Information Services, New York City; and CCH Tax Compliance, Torrance, CA. 

Wolters Kluwer nv (www.wolterskluwer.com) is a multinational information services company with annual sales of more than EUR 3.8 billion, employing approximately 20,000 people in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The company's core activities are Legal & Regulatory, Health, and Education. Wolters Kluwer shares are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam. The financial results for the first half of 2002 will be announced on August 13, 2002.

Wolters Kluwer was recently recognized by Forbes Magazine's highly esteemed global "Best Big Companies" business survey as the world's leading global media organization.  

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