Reed Elsevier is sad to learn of the death of Pierre Vinken, former Reed Elsevier CEO and Chairman, who passed away on Friday aged 83.

After Elsevier acquired Excerpta Medica, Pierre was appointed to the Board of Directors of Elsevier NV in 1972.  He was CEO for 16 years until his retirement in 1995. After that he became Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Elsevier NV and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Reed Elsevier plc until 1999.

Pierre played a very important role in the development of Elsevier NV, and had the vision to develop Reed Elsevier into a leading international professional publisher.  His name will always be connected with that of Reed Elsevier.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.