SAPPI LIMITED - Retirement of Mike Haws and appointment of Kirk Ross as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi North America

Retirement of Mike Haws and appointment of Kirk Ross as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi North America

Sappi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP
ISIN: ZAE000006284
("Sappi" or “the Company”)

Retirement of Mike Haws and appointment of Kirk Ross as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Sappi North America

Sappi Limited, a global leader in renewable woodfibre-based solutions and the bioeconomy, today
announced that Kirk Ross (51) has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi North
America, effective 01 January, 2027, following a hand-over period.

Kirk, who currently serves as Vice President Manufacturing for Sappi North America, will succeed Mike
Haws (63), who will retire in February 2027 following a distinguished 40-year career in the pulp and
paper industry, including 14 years with Sappi and seven years as President and CEO of Sappi North
America.

Commenting on the retirement, Steve Binnie, Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Limited, said:

“I would like to thank Mike for his outstanding service and leadership throughout his career and
particularly during his time with Sappi. His tenure was marked by several significant achievements,
including the successful integration of the Matane Pulp Mill, guiding the North American business
through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and restoring the business to record
profitability in 2021 and 2022.

Under his leadership, Sappi North America also developed and implemented the strategic conversion of
paper machine no. 2 (PM2) at Somerset Mill, a transformative investment aligned with Sappi’s Thrive
strategy and our vision for long-term growth.”

Kirk brings nearly three decades of industry experience and two decades of leadership within Sappi to
his new role. Since being appointed Vice President Manufacturing in July 2025, he has led
manufacturing operations across Sappi North America.

Prior to this role, Kirk served as Project Director for Project Elevate, the conversion and expansion of
Somerset Mill’s PM2 to produce packaging-grade products. During his career with Sappi, he has also
held several senior leadership positions, including Director of Marketing and Brand Management,
Director of Research and Development, and Director of Manufacturing Services.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Binnie said:

“I am pleased that we are able to ensure a seamless leadership transition from Mike Haws to Kirk Ross.
Over the course of his career, Kirk has developed a unique combination of business, technical,
manufacturing, and commercial expertise. He has played a significant role in shaping and executing
Sappi’s Thrive strategy and has been instrumental in advancing our investments in packaging and
speciality papers products in North America.

I am confident that, under his leadership, Sappi North America is well positioned to build on its strong
foundation and continue creating value for customers, employees, communities, and shareholders.”

Steve Binnie added:

“This appointment reflects the strength of Sappi’s succession planning process and demonstrates our
commitment to leadership continuity, organisational stability, and long-term success.”

Kirk Ross holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine, is a UMaine Pulp and
Paper Foundation scholarship recipient and participated in the Harvard Business School Executive
Education Program in 2024.


Rosebank
01 October 2026

South African Corporate Advisor, Sponsor and Corporate Broker to Sappi
Rand Merchant Bank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited
Date: 01/10/2026 03:00:00
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