Evolva Holding SA (SIX: EVE) today publishes the agenda items for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders, taking place on 16 May 2017.

As a further step in the succession process initiated in 2016, Evolva’s Board proposes to reduce its membership to seven, better reflecting the company’s size and its shift away from pharma towards ingredients for health, wellness and nutrition. Two non-executive directors, Sir Tom McKillop and Claus Braestrup, have decided to retire from the Board. The Board proposes to appoint Gerard Hoetmer as Sir Tom’s successor as Chairman. Mr Hoetmer already is on Evolva’s Board and brings international top-level experience, gathered in various management positions at Unilever and as CEO of Dutch listed company Corbion N.V. (previously CSM N.V.). His biography is available online.

In addition, the AGM agenda includes proposals to maintain and increase the company’s financial flexibility. Moreover, the shareholders are asked to increase the pool of shares available for exercise of incentive equity plans. Evolva’s current Articles of Association do not leave sufficient room for these purposes. The full AGM agenda is available on Evolva’s website.

Evolva Chairman Sir Tom McKillop said, “I say goodbye with a mix of pride and nostalgia. These seven years on Evolva’s Board have been a challenging experience and sometimes a rollercoaster ride. I will certainly miss the people at Evolva, who never cease to impress me with their enthusiasm and expertise. I am confident all the ingredients for success are in place and have no doubt the timing of this hand-over is well-chosen. Gerard brings a wealth of experience in areas that are crucial in Evolva’s further development. You, our shareholders, I would like to particularly thank for the support you have given me over all these years. I will definitely keep an eye on the company from the side-lines.”

Neil Goldsmith, Evolva’s CEO added, “Evolva owes a lot to the valuable insights and contributions of Tom and Claus over the past seven years. They have had an important role in building a competent and coherent team and laying the foundation for Evolva’s growth. We respect their wish to retire as part of an orderly succession plan and wish them all the best for the future.”

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About Evolva

Evolva solves the supply chain issues of nature through a 21st century mix of biotechnology and brewing. We develop, make and sell natural ingredients that provide significant benefits to people in daily life, but whose supply chain issues have limited their use until now. Our flagship ingredients are stevia, nootkatone and resveratrol, but we work on many more, both on our own behalf and with others. To make our world sustainable requires nature and technology to work together as one, and our aim is to play a (small) part in achieving this transformation. We operate internationally. For more information see www.evolva.com. Questions about our approach? Have a look at our video.

This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.