Michael Page International plc, a London-based professional staffing firm, appointed Patrick de Smedt as an independent, non-executive board director, effective Aug. 1.

A Belgian citizen, de Smedt spent 23 years at Microsoft. He founded the Benelux subsidiaries, led the development of its Western European business and served as chairman of Microsoft for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Since leaving Microsoft in 2006, de Smedt has served on the boards of a number of European public and private companies. He is currently a non-executive director of Victrex plc and Kodak Alaris Holdings Ltd and senior independent director of Anite plc and Morgan Sindall Group plc. He was previously a non-executive director of CPP Group plc.

“We were looking for an experienced non-executive director who had built an international business career in multiple countries, who had deep experience in leading people, and who brought considerable knowledge of the importance of social media and information technology to a business like ours,” said Chairman Robin Buchanan. “We were also keen to add national and/or cultural diversity to the board. Not only does Patrick fit that profile exactly but also he brings an entrepreneurial attitude which will fit well on the board and with the PageGroup culture.”

Michael Page has operations worldwide and ranks No. 24 on Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2014 list of largest global staffing firms.