Saint-Gobain’s 2025 Shareholders’ Meeting

A Look at Leadership, Governance, and Continuity

On June 5, 2025, Saint-Gobain held its Shareholders’ Meeting, followed by a Board of Directors’ meeting, marking significant decisions regarding the company’s leadership and governance. With a strong attendance of 76.59% of shares having voting rights, all proposed resolutions were adopted by a large majority, underscoring shareholder confidence in the company’s strategic direction.

A key outcome of the meeting was the renewal of Benoit Bazin’s term of office as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This re-appointment, in line with the intention announced on November 28, 2024, ensures continuity at the helm of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. Jean-François Cirelli will continue in his vital role as Lead Independent Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board, providing ongoing stability and independent oversight. Additionally, Sibylle Daunis Opfermann, Director representing employee shareholders, was also reappointed, reinforcing the representation of this important stakeholder group.

In a move to further strengthen its governance and bring fresh perspectives, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved the appointment of three new independent directors:

• Maya Hari, a Singaporean national and partner at Modern Manifesto, brings a wealth of experience to the board.
• Antoine de Saint-Affrique, a French national and Chief Executive Officer of Danone, adds significant leadership and industry expertise.
• Hans Sohlström, a Finnish national and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stora Enso, contributes further international and business acumen.

These strategic appointments significantly enhance the independence of Saint-Gobain’s Board of Directors, bringing the proportion of independent directors to 91% of Board members (excluding employee directors and those representing employee shareholders in accordance with the French Afep-Medef code). This figure rises to 100% when excluding the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, demonstrating a strong commitment to best practices in corporate governance.

The meeting also marked the departure of Pamela Knapp, Agnès Lemarchand, and Gilles Schnepp from the Board of Directors, as their terms of office concluded. The Board expressed its sincere appreciation for their valuable contributions to discussions, decisions, and the work of the Board Committees throughout their tenures.

The outcomes of Saint-Gobain’s 2025 Shareholders’ Meeting highlight a clear path forward for the company, characterized by leadership continuity, a reinforced commitment to independent governance, and the strategic addition of diverse and experienced talent to its Board. This solid foundation is crucial as Saint-Gobain continues to navigate and innovate within its global markets. For a comprehensive overview, the full report is available for review.