Geneva, Switzerland, October 9, 2008 - At the Annual Shareholders Meeting of Firmenich International SA, held in Geneva yesterday, October 8, 2008, Firmenich Chairman Jean-Marc Bruel confirmed his desire to retire from the Board of Directors, after eight years in office.

Mr. Bruel joined the Firmenich Board in 1995 and succeeded Fred-Henri Firmenich as Chairman in March 2000, to become the first non-family Chairman of the Firmenich Group since it was founded in 1895. Among his many actions, Mr. Bruel took the Firmenich Board to a world-class status and made a significant contribution to the strategic orientation of the Group, during a period of significant growth and acquisitions. He also guided Firmenich to excellence as a health and safety organization, thanks to his passion and commitment in these key areas.

Mr. Vernon Sankey has been elected as the new Chairman of Firmenich’s Board of Directors, as of October, 2008. A 59-year-old British national and Oxford University graduate, Mr. Sankey joined the Firmenich Board in October 2006 and brings extensive Board and international business experience. He is currently a member of the boards of Zürich Financial Services AG and Atos Origin SA. He has also held positions as Chairman of Thomson Travel Group plc and as Director of the boards of Pearson plc, Cofra AG, Taylor Woodrow plc, Gala Group plc and the UK’s Food Standards Agency. He is also an advisor to a number of other companies.


Mr. Sankey spent most of his career with Reckitt & Colman plc, until its merger with the Dutch firm, Benckiser N.V. in 1999. He was President of Reckitt & Colman (R&C) France, Managing Director of R&C’s UK Food business and Group Director for North America, before taking over as CEO from 1992 to 1999. Since 1999, he has focused on his Board positions.

Firmenich is the world's largest privately owned company in the fragrance and flavor industry. Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, it has built its reputation on its innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Firmenich has an annual turnover of 2.3 billion Swiss Francs.

For more information, please contact: Corporate spokesperson, Karen Saddler:corporate.communication@firmenich.com