PARIS — Kering is refilling its board of directors ranks, following the departure of a trio of members.
The company will propose the appointment of three new independent directors — Rachel Duan, Giovanna Melandri and Dominique D’Hinnin — to join the board, which will be voted on at the annual general meeting on April 25.
Their nominations follow the departure of French Ivorian banking executive Tidjane Thiam, who left in January to pursue his political ambitions; Jean-François Palus, who stepped into the role of chairman and chief executive officer of Gucci, and actress Emma Watson, whose three-year term is set to expire.
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Former GE senior vice president Duan would bring “her vast knowledge of the Asian market together with her strong international experience in operation and corporate governance” to the board. Chinese national Duan also served as president and CEO of GE Global Markets, and held several positions in the U.S., Japan and China during her 25-year career at the company.
Melandri, the former Italian minister of culture, serves as president of the Human Foundation, an organization that promotes the impact economy and sustainable finance. Melandri is also a founder and global ambassador of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment. Melandri was a member of parliament in Italy for 20 years, as well as the minister for youth policy. She also chaired the National Museum for Contemporary Arts in Rome.
The dual Italian and U.S. citizen specializes in sustainability and cultural issues and will work with Kering using her expertise in sustainability, in social impacts and in sustainable finance and economics.
Eutelsat Communications chairman of the board of directors D’Hinnin rounds out the trio of nominees. He also served as co-managing partner and chief financial officer of the media and travel retail group Lagardère, and is expected to bring his financial expertise and corporate governance experience to Kering.
The additions will tip the 13-member board’s scales to 55 percent women, with a wide international breadth represented. Six nationalities including American, British, Chinese, French, Italian and Turkish will be on the board.