Viridien: Viridien’s governance is evolving
Viridien announced changes to its governance structure, with the temporary unification of Chairman and CEO roles under Sophie ZURQUIYAH, effective April 30, 2025. Philippe SALLE will transition from his current Chairman position to become Lead Director and Vice-Chairman, subject to mandate renewal at the April 2025 General Meeting. This unified governance structure will remain in place until the 2026 General Meeting.
The reorganization comes as the company completes its transformation strategy, aiming for more agile governance aligned with its ambitions. ZURQUIYAH, who has served as CEO since 2018, will assume the combined role for a transitional period. The Board is already planning to restore separate governance positions in 2026.
Viridien ha annunciato modifiche alla sua struttura di governance, con l'unificazione temporanea dei ruoli di Presidente e Amministratore Delegato sotto Sophie ZURQUIYAH, a partire dal 30 aprile 2025. Philippe SALLE passerà dalla sua attuale posizione di Presidente a quella di Direttore Esecutivo e Vice-Presidente, soggetto al rinnovo del mandato nell'Assemblea Generale di aprile 2025. Questa struttura di governance unificata rimarrà in vigore fino all'Assemblea Generale del 2026.
La riorganizzazione avviene mentre l'azienda completa la sua strategia di trasformazione, puntando a una governance più agili in linea con le sue ambizioni. ZURQUIYAH, che ricopre il ruolo di AD dal 2018, assumerà il ruolo combinato per un periodo di transizione. Il Consiglio ha già in programma di ripristinare posizioni di governance separate nel 2026.
Viridien anunció cambios en su estructura de gobernanza, con la unificación temporal de los roles de Presidente y CEO bajo Sophie ZURQUIYAH, a partir del 30 de abril de 2025. Philippe SALLE pasará de su actual posición de Presidente a Director Principal y Vicepresidente, sujeto a renovación de mandato en la Junta General de abril de 2025. Esta estructura de gobernanza unificada permanecerá en vigor hasta la Junta General de 2026.
La reorganización se produce mientras la empresa completa su estrategia de transformación, buscando una gobernanza más ágil alineada con sus ambiciones. ZURQUIYAH, quien ha sido CEO desde 2018, asumirá el rol combinado por un período de transición. La Junta ya está planeando restaurar posiciones de gobernanza separadas en 2026.
Viridien은 2025년 4월 30일부터 Sophie ZURQUIYAH가 의장과 CEO 역할을 임시로 통합한다고 발표했습니다. Philippe SALLE은 현재 의장직에서 리드 이사 및 부의장으로 이동할 예정이며, 2025년 4월 정기총회에서 임기 갱신에 따라 변경될 것입니다. 이 통합된 거버넌스 구조는 2026년 정기총회까지 유지됩니다.
이번 조직 개편은 회사가 보다 민첩한 거버넌스를 목표로 하는 변화 전략을 완수하면서 이루어졌습니다. 2018년부터 CEO로 재직 중인 ZURQUIYAH는 전환 기간 동안 통합 역할을 수행할 것입니다. 이사회는 2026년에 별도의 거버넌스 직위를 복원할 계획을 이미 세우고 있습니다.
Viridien a annoncé des changements dans sa structure de gouvernance, avec l'unification temporaire des rôles de Président et de CEO sous Sophie ZURQUIYAH, à compter du 30 avril 2025. Philippe SALLE passera de son poste actuel de Président à celui de Directeur Principal et Vice-Président, sous réserve du renouvellement du mandat lors de l'Assemblée Générale d'avril 2025. Cette structure de gouvernance unifiée restera en place jusqu'à l'Assemblée Générale de 2026.
La réorganisation intervient alors que l'entreprise termine sa stratégie de transformation, visant une gouvernance plus agile alignée avec ses ambitions. ZURQUIYAH, qui est CEO depuis 2018, assumera le rôle combiné pour une période de transition. Le Conseil d'Administration prévoit déjà de restaurer des postes de gouvernance distincts en 2026.
Viridien hat Änderungen in seiner Governance-Struktur angekündigt, mit der vorübergehenden Zusammenlegung der Rollen von Vorsitzendem und CEO unter Sophie ZURQUIYAH, wirksam ab dem 30. April 2025. Philippe SALLE wird von seiner aktuellen Vorsitzendenposition zum Hauptdirektor und stellvertretenden Vorsitzenden wechseln, vorbehaltlich der Mandatsverlängerung auf der Hauptversammlung im April 2025. Diese vereinheitlichte Governance-Struktur bleibt bis zur Hauptversammlung 2026 bestehen.
Die Reorganisation erfolgt, während das Unternehmen seine Transformationsstrategie abschließt, mit dem Ziel einer agilere Governance, die mit seinen Ambitionen übereinstimmt. ZURQUIYAH, die seit 2018 als CEO tätig ist, wird die kombinierte Rolle für einen Übergangszeitraum übernehmen. Der Vorstand plant bereits, 2026 getrennte Governance-Positionen wiederherzustellen.
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Insights
The temporary unification of Chairman and CEO roles at Viridien represents a significant governance shift but follows an increasingly common pattern among French companies seeking operational agility. The appointment of Philippe SALLE as Lead Director creates a important counterbalance, adhering to governance best practices. The pre-planned transition period until 2026 demonstrates thoughtful succession planning.
The temporary nature of this unified structure, combined with enhanced Lead Director responsibilities, suggests this is more about facilitating strategic execution than a permanent governance philosophy change. Sophie ZURQUIYAH's dual role capitalizes on her deep operational knowledge while maintaining board oversight through strengthened independent director functions.
This governance evolution appears designed to accelerate decision-making during a critical transformation phase, though it warrants close monitoring of power dynamics and effectiveness of independent oversight mechanisms.
From a market perspective, this governance restructuring sends mixed signals. While unified leadership can streamline strategic execution, investors typically prefer separated Chairman-CEO roles for better oversight. However, several mitigating factors make this less concerning: the clearly defined temporary nature, SALLE's continued involvement as Lead Director and the explicit commitment to return to separated roles by 2026.
The timing aligns with Viridien's transformation phase, suggesting a tactical rather than strategic shift. Markets generally react neutrally to such temporary governance changes when accompanied by strong independent oversight mechanisms. The pre-announced transition timeline and succession planning provide transparency that should help maintain investor confidence.
Paris (France), December 18, 2024, released at 5h45 pm
Viridien’s governance is evolving
Change in governance structure: temporary unification of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer under the leadership of Sophie ZURQUIYAH, and the appointment of Philippe SALLE as Lead Director
While the Company is completing its transformation strategy and in order to adopt an agile governance structure more aligned with its ambitions and suited to its current context, the Board of Directors of Viridien met on December 18, 2024, and made the following decisions:
- The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will be temporarily combined as of April 30, 2025 under the leadership of Sophie ZURQUIYAH, who has been Chief Executive Officer and Director since 2018 ;
- Philippe SALLE will be appointed Lead Director, subject to the renewal of his mandate as a director by the General Meeting of April 30, 2025.
Given the new responsibilities taken on by Philippe SALLE at another publicly listed company in France, the Board of Directors of Viridien deemed it appropriate to replace its current Chairman effective April 30, 2025. To ensure stability and balance, the Board will propose renewing Philippe SALLE’s mandate as director at the General Meeting on April 30, 2025. He will also take on the roles of Vice-Chairman and Lead Director, with specific responsibilities to be detailed in the updated Board rules.
Upon the recommendation of the Appointment, Remuneration and Governance Committee, the Board has decided to implement the succession plan designed for this purpose. Therefore, Sophie ZURQUIYAH will assume, for a transitional period, the combined roles of Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Viridien as of April 30, 2025. This unified governance will remain in place no later than the end of Sophie ZURQUIYAH 's term as a director, until the General Meeting of 2026.
Colette LEWINER, Chair of the Appointment, Remuneration and Governance Committee, stated: “On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Philippe SALLE for his chairmanship since 2018, which has significantly contributed to the transformation of Viridien. His continued presence on our Board as Lead Director will ensure continuity and provide a balance of power within a unified governance structure. We also thank Sophie ZURQUIYAH for agreeing to take on the Chairmanship of the Board alongside her role as Chief Executive Officer. Her leadership and strategic vision will enable the continued transformation of the Group. The Board, with the support of its Appointment, Remuneration and Governance Committee, is already engaged in discussions to restore a separate governance structure in 2026.”
About Viridien:
Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,500 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).
Contact:
Group General Secretary
general.secretary@viridiengroup.com
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FAQ
When will Sophie ZURQUIYAH assume the combined Chairman and CEO role at Viridien?
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Why is Viridien implementing these governance changes?
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