Thursday, May 11, 2023
Joumana Diab
The Wharton Club of Geneva has the pleasure to invite you to an exclusive luncheon with Mr Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich, Board Member of Four Seasons and Danone, and Chairman-designate of the future Sandoz board.
Our host will share and reflect on his professional and personal experiences, notably his track record growing and transforming businesses in competitive industries; leading the transformation at Firmenich and its subsequent merger with DSM; and, on the next steps ahead as Chairman and Board member given the current world environment.
The second part of the lunch will be dedicated to questions and is intended to be a dialogue. Chatham House rules apply.
The lunch will be a 3-course menu inspired by Michelin Star Chef Armel Bedouet, including mineral drinks and coffee and tea.
Event ticket price is 90 CHF p.p., payable in advance to avoid no-shows.
Kindly register before April 30, the earlier to better to facilitate logistics. Scroll down to bottom of the page for Registration button.
Mr. Ghostine has served as CEO of Geneva-based Firmenich, the world's largest privately owned perfume and taste company, since 2014, when he joined as the Group’s first non-family member CEO since it was founded in 1895. Over the past eight years, the Group has grown at a CAGR of +5% (organic), made 14 strategic acquisitions, and employs 11,000 people worldwide.
Under Gilbert’s leadership, Firmenich has developed into a recognized global leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, driven by bold and measurable ambitions including carbon neutral direct operations by 2025.
- In 2020, Firmenich achieved 100% renewable electricity in its operations worldwide, an industry-first.
- Today, the Group is one of only two companies worldwide that have received a CDP triple A rating for climate, water and forests in four consecutive years.
- Placing people at the heart of the Group’s success, Gilbert has also been committed to enabling a working environment where all his colleagues can thrive around the world. Today, Firmenich stands out with gender parity on its Executive Team, while women comprise 46% of management roles and 37% of the company’s global workforce. Firmenich is one of two companies in the world to secure “Living Wage Certification” for all employees.
Last but not least, Gilbert has been driving world-class research, creativity and winning performance for customers across Firmenich, while keeping the Company’s culture firmly anchored in its core values as a responsible business. Notably, Firmenich was first in its industry to employ AI-powered creation solutions and e- commerce platforms.
Gilbert Ghostine also has a deep understanding of the consumer goods and luxury industries, having spent over two decades with Diageo, prior to leading Firmenich. During his 21 years with the world’s leading premium spirits company, he held senior global leadership roles across four continents: Africa, Asia, the United States and Europe.
Gilbert is a Board member of Danone, where he is a member of the Audit Committee, and, a Board Member of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts where he chairs the remuneration and nomination committee. He was also recently appointed as Chairman-designate of the new Board of Directors of Sandoz. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Joseph University, Lebanon and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertghostine/
