Jan 8 -- Sappi, the world’s leading producer of coated fine paper, today announced that Berry Wiersum (51) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Fine Paper Europe (SFPE). Berry Wiersum replaces Wolfgang Pfarl (62), who will be retiring. Mr Wiersum joins Sappi Fine Paper Europe on 15 January 2007 and will work with Mr Pfarl for a familiarisation period until the end of March 2007 when he will take over as Chief Executive of SFPE. Mr Wiersum started his career at ICI Fibres, became President of Amoco Fabrics (Europe), then the President of Amoco Chemicals (Europe), and when Amoco was taken over by BP, he moved to BP to assist with the integration of the two groups in Europe. He subsequently left BP and joined Pechiney S.A. in France and ran the CEBAL packaging division until he was recruited as Managing Director of the Packaging division of Kappa Packaging BV and member of the Management Board responsible for paper manufacture and packaging in the Kappa group. He holds a Master of Arts degree with Combined Honours in Mediaeval and Modern History and subsidiaries in French and Music from the University of St Andrews in the UK. Commenting on his appointment Eugene van As, Chairman of Sappi Limited said: “Berry Wiersum is a seasoned executive with many years' experience in the process and manufacturing industry. He comes to Sappi with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to drive our European business forward in the years to come.” Van As also expressed his appreciation for the contribution of outgoing Chief Executive of SFPE, Wolfgang Pfarl: “Wolfgang Pfarl has made an enormous contribution to the paper industry in Europe through Leykam Mürztaler, then KNP Leykam, and subsequently Sappi where he helped create the leading coated paper producer in Europe. His legendary courtesy and friendship to customers and employees alike will long be remembered.”