PARIS, France – Danone is pleased to announce that three senior executives will be proposed as new independent members of its Board of Directors. In April 2022, and subject to the approval of the 2022 Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors will welcome:
- Patrice Louvet, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Ralph Lauren;
- Géraldine Picaud, currently Chief Financial Officer of Holcim;
- Susan Roberts, PhD, professor of nutrition at Tufts University and co-director of the Tufts Institute for Global Obesity Research.
These appointments will complement those of Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet and Antoine de Saint-Affrique, also presented to the 2022 Shareholders’ Meeting. By 2023, the Company will have renewed the totality of its Board of Directors, with the exception of Gilles Schnepp and the two Directors representing Employees, as announced in July 2021.
At the end of April 2022, and subject to the approval of the 2022 Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board will consist of 12 Directors, reaching 80% independence and gender parity; 60% of Directors will be CEOs and ex-CEOs, and 40% of them will have a non-French nationality.
Gilles Schnepp, Chairman of the Board said:
“The decision to propose the appointment of Patrice Louvet, Géraldine Picaud and Susan Roberts is another step forward for Danone and its Board renewal. They will bring their experience, as well as their internationally recognized expertise in Consumer Goods, Health and Nutrition, Sustainability, Finance and M&A. I would like to thank them, on behalf of the Board of Directors, for their engagement and look forward to working with them.
Last year as a Board we made clear our commitment to ensure our composition would comprise the right blend of capabilities, perspectives and experiences to support Danone’s performance. The appointment of Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet, announced last December, and the proposed appointment of Patrice Louvet, Géraldine Picaud and Susan Roberts announced today deliver on that commitment.
Today’s announcement marks another milestone for Danone, ahead of the Company’s Capital Market Day on March, 8 and 2022 Shareholders’ Meeting on April, 26.”
