New York (Aug. 5, 2004) - William W. George, former chairman and chief executive at medical technology concern Medtronic, was appointed chair of the Global Center for Leadership & Business Ethics - an independent body established by Big Four firm KPMG that will recognize individuals or organizations exhibiting extraordinary business ethics and leadership qualities.
As chairman of the Global Center, George will direct the Laureate Award & Medal Series, honoring individuals or institutions committed to excellence.
KPMG said the Global Center will be issuing an international call for nominations for the Laureate Award & Medal Series to senior corporate executives and audit committee chairs, business school deans and academic leaders, professional associations, members of Congress, regulatory agencies, and economists, he said. Candidate nominations will be due to the center by Sept. 24, 2004.
Award winners will be determined in November, with presentation of the awards during the same week in December when Nobel Prizes are given.
George served as CEO of Medtronic Inc. from 1991 to 2001, and as chairman from 1996 until he retired in 2002. He is currently a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and serves on the boards of Goldman Sachs, Target Corp., and Novartis AG.
He is the author of “Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value.”
— WebCPA staff
