Ontex Group NV has announced plans to strengthen and diversify its board of directors by including new members with experience in the personal hygiene and retail sectors, ESG and sustainability, procurement, finance and governance.
The board has named two new independent directors and four directors nominated by the company’s two major shareholders – one by GBL and three by ENA Investment Capital (ENA).
Relevant Additional Expertise
The move will help bring in relevant additional expertise to tackle challenges faced by the company and explore opportunities to improve its performance.
The independent directors nominated by the board include Manon Janssen, CEO and chair of Ecorys, and Isabel Hochgesand, chief procurement officer of Beiersdorf AG.
Janssen’s appointment is subject to approval by the company’s supervisory board, Ontex added.
The members nominated by ENA include Gustavo Calvo Paz, the former president of Kimberly Clark’s EMEA division; Philippe Costeletos, the founder of Stemar Capital Partners and former head of Europe at TPG; and Rodney G. Olsen, former CFO of Kimberly Clark’s APAC Division.
GBL has nominated Jesper Hojer, the former CEO of Lidl International.
'Exceptionally Talented People'
Hans Van Bylen, chair of the board, stated, “Ontex is honoured and privileged to attract high quality, exceptionally talented people to its board, who are committed to the company’s success.
“I want to thank both GBL and ENA Investment Capital for their long-term commitment and constructive support. We look forward to working together with our new directors to support the management team to deliver improved performance and create value for all our shareholders.”
Elsewhere, Gilberto Marin Quintero has decided to retire from the board.
He served as a director of the company since 2016, following the acquisition of Grupo Mabe by Ontex.
Quintero was the founder of Grupo Mabe, which became a key business in Ontex’s portfolio.
Commenting on his retirement, Van Bylen said, “The board is grateful to Quintero for his significant contribution as a member of the board over the last five years and his valuable insights and sector experience.”
Over the past few months, Ontex has implemented several measures to enhance its governance and leadership, including the appointment of Esther Berrozpe as its new chief executive officer.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Dayeeta Das. For more A-Brands news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
