Shortly after restructuring its management bodies, the Franco-German defensetechnology group KNDS is also strengthening its administrative management at itsheadquarters in Amsterdam (Netherlands).

On 1 April 2021, Nicander Johannes (Nick)Surber, a Dutch national, joined the company as General Counsel. He is thusresponsible for Legal, Corporate Governance and Compliance and also assumes thefunction of Corporate Secretary. In this role, he succeeds Margaret Hill, who is leavingKNDS of her own accord on the best amicable terms after four successful years.

Nick Surber, a 54-year-old fully qualified lawyer, specializes in corporate and contractlaw. His professional career history includes executive positions in industry and inrenowned Dutch law firms. Most recently, he was responsible for Anglo-American andGerman clients at BarentsKrans in The Hague.

KNDS (KMW+NEXTER Defense Systems) is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany andFrance.

KNDS forms a Group of 8,300 employees, with a 2019 turnover of 2.5 billion euro, an order backlog ofaround 9.6 billion euro and incoming orders of 4.3 billion euro. The range of its products includes mainbattle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges,customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a widerange of equipment.

The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry inEurope. The strategic alliance between KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness andinternational positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. Inaddition, it offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization andinteroperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.

KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.