Change of relevance in the Board of Directors of Grifols, which continues to try. In a relevant event sent to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), the pharmacist indicates that Thomas Glanzmann, current president of the Board of Directors, has announced his intention not to present himself to the re -election of his position as a counselor at the next Board Ordinary General Shareholders, having provided his services as Minister of Grifols for 19 years.
Anne-Catherine Berner, former Minister of Finland, and current independent counselor and president of the Commission of appointments and remuneration of Grifols, will be the successor of Glanzmann as the non-executive president of the Council.
Glanzmann has already abandoned all executive positions earlier than expected. In fact, with the appointment of Nacho Abia as CEO in April 2024, the pharmaceutical Gotham City Research accounts and in the middle of the OPA raised by Brookfield, Abia went on to assume executive tasks to final of September.
The company has indicated that, with the appointment of an independent president, it continues to strengthen its corporate governance. In fact, a good part of the criticisms launched by investors, including investment funds that have entered capital and have a representative in the Council, have been critical of the Grifols good governance policy. Among other points, the relationship with Scranton, society of the founding family, which holds an 8.67% Grifols participation, and has been used in different corporate operations has been criticized. These positions have generated doubts about the company’s debt and its consolidation in the balance.
In a subsequent statement, the company states that Glanzmann, together with the Grifols family, was decisive in the hiring of ABIA as CEO and in the creation of a new management team that, with the support of the Council and the family, introduced important Changes in company governance. “In 2024, Glanzmann led the company’s response to the unprecedented attack of short vendors and Brookfield’s interest in acquiring the company,” says the company, which adds that, despite the challenges, it obtained excellent financial results in the first nine months of the year.
In this sense, with respect, Grifols points out that, at the Board, the Council will propose to reduce its number of members from 13 to 12 and, if this proposal is approved, the Glanzmann position will be amortized.
The appointment of Berner as non -executive president of the Board of Directors and with Independent character will take place immediately after the Board. Until then, both will keep their current positions.
In addition, the pharmacist states that with the appointment of an independent president, the position of independent coordinator will also be eliminated (Lead Independent Director).
Grifols faces a key week. This Wednesday will present the accounts of 2024 and Thursday will celebrate in London its capital Markets Day, a long -awaited date for the market, in which it will present different forecasts for the coming years, with which it will try to recover the favor of investors and analysts .
Trajectory of the new president
Berner was a deputy of the Finnish Parliament and Minister of Transportation and Communications from 2015 to 2019, within the Finnish government. At present, he is a member of several Administration Councils: Kühne + Nagel AG, a global transport and logistics company, and SEB AB, a Nordic Public Group of Financial Services.
Since 2022, he presides over the advisory council of Getec Energie Holding GmbH in Germany, Energy Services Group. In addition, that same years, the directive joined the Council of Medicover AB, a company dedicated to health and diagnostic services.
