11/02/2021 | 06:59 CET | Group Announcements
Stäfa (Switzerland), February 11, 2021 – Sonova Holding AG, a leading provider of hearing solutions, announces today that its Board of Directors has nominated Greg Behar and Roland Diggelmann as new Board members for election at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2021. At the same time, Beat Hess, Vice Chair and member of the Board of Directors since 2012, will retire from his position for age reasons. In addition, Michael Jacobi will not stand for re-election at the 2021 AGM, having served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2003 and as Chair of the Audit Committee from 2004 to 2019.
Greg Behar (born in 1969, Swiss citizen) has been since 2014 the CEO of Nestlé Health Science SA, a global leader in the science of nutrition. His career has taken him to many different parts of the world, as President & CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. (USA), and in various leadership positions with Boehringer-Ingelheim GmbH, Novartis, and Nestlé SA. Mr. Behar holds an MBA from INSEAD, France, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and manufacturing from EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of California in Los Angeles, USA.
Roland Diggelmann (born in 1967, Swiss citizen) has over 20 years of executive experience in the medical device industry across many parts of the world. Since 2019, he has been CEO of Smith & Nephew plc (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), a UK-based leading global medical technology company active in orthopedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound management. Prior to that, he was managing director for the Asia/Pacific region and later CEO of Roche Diagnostics from 2008 to 2018. He previously held senior management positions in sales and marketing as well as strategic planning at Zimmer Holdings and Sulzer Medica (later known as Centerpulse). Mr. Diggelmann studied Business Administration at the University of Bern, Switzerland.
Robert Spoerry, Chair of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG, stated: “I am extremely pleased to propose two highly qualified executives for election to the Board of Directors at the next AGM. They both have a strong affinity to our business activities and an outstanding track record in leading successful global businesses as CEOs in the medical device sector and the broader healthcare industry. I am convinced that with their extensive international experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and business expertise they will be valuable contributors to the work of the Board and the further growth of Sonova. Their nomination is a continued step in the rejuvenation of the Board.”
Mr. Spoerry added: “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to sincerely thank Beat Hess and Michael Jacobi for their many years of invaluable collaboration, work, and outstanding contributions to the company. As long-standing Vice Chair of the Board, Beat Hess assisted the Group through his broad general business experience covering multiple areas including legal matters, corporate governance, compliance and risk management. Equally, Michael Jacobi, through his long-standing role as Chair of the Audit Committee, utilized his profound financial expertise to contribute meaningfully to the successful development of Sonova over many years, including his most recent support of the Group in coping with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish them both all the best in their future endeavors.”
– End –