Mario Greco debuts today at his first general meeting as CEO of Assicurazioni Generali. And in Trieste he presents himself to the shareholders with the dividend confirmed at 0,20 euro per share and the stock up 42% since last August. Return for shareholders and performance of the stock were, on the other hand, some of the points on which the battle that led to the departure of Giovanni Perissinotto and the arrival of Greco nine months ago took place. The traditional appointment at the Maritime Station with the meeting of the Lion is accompanied by many new features: in the past months Greco has reorganized the Generali team, carried out a significant reorganization of the business and inaugurated a new season in terms of management of strategic shareholdings.
Not only. He has worked to move the axis of Generali increasingly into an international dimension. So after the presentation of the industrial plan in the heart of global finance in London, he fixed the meeting during the week, with the stock market open and with an eye to international investors, instead of the usual Saturday. And it promises to be a leaner day than the past. So much so that, another novelty, there won't even be the usual post-meeting press conference. A new season in all respects. In addition to the 2012 financial statements, the shareholders will be called to approve the renewal of a board of directors reduced to 11 directors from 19. Four will be the direct expression of the shareholders, as many will be appointed as independent indicated by the majority and another director will represent the minorities.
The majority list belongs to Mediobanca, a shareholder with approximately 13%, and is shared with Leonardo Del Vecchio, De Agostini and Caltagirone. “We are heading towards a path that will lead us to better results than those of the last ten years – replied Del Vecchio on the sidelines of the assembly of his Luxottica eyewear group to those who asked him if he was satisfied with the new management – I have great faith in Greco and on the board. The change has begun to leave that mark that every company must have”. Just as there is an identity of views on the management of heavy shareholdings, such as RCS.
“It's exactly what every industry has to do, that is to think about its trade”, added Del Vecchio. We go to the reconfirmation of Greco and the president Galateri but also of Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, Vincent Bolloré, Lorenzo Pelliccioli, Clemente Rebecchini and Paolo Scaroni. Among the independents for the partners are Ornella Barra, CEO of the pharmaceutical division of Alliance Boots, Alberta Figari, lawyer partner of the Clifford Change firm and Sabrina Pucci, professor of business economics at Roma Tre. AssOgestioni will confirm for the minority director Paola Profeta.
