RHI Magnesita expands Board of Directors

2021-06-15

Jun. 15, 2021 - RHI Magnesita, the leading global supplier of refractory products, systems and solutions, announces the appointment of three new independent Non-Executive Directors. During the Company’s Annual General Meeting on June 10, 2021, Janice ‘Jann’ Brown, Marie-Hélène Ametsreiter and Sigalia Heifetz, CPA, were elected to RHI Magnesita’s Board of Directors by the shareholders.

The appointments lift RHI Magnesita’s proportion of female directors to 38% (2020 = 25%), more than exceeding the Company’s goal of achieving 33% female Board representation by 2025. RHI Magnesita’s Chairman, Herbert Cordt, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Jann, Marie-Hélène and Sigalia to our Company. Their skills and expertise will be a valuable and complementary addition to the Board, bringing experience in finance, governance and sustainability combined with technology, innovation, digitalization and relevant international experience in our target markets.”

Jann has extensive international business expertise, particularly in India and the Middle East. Her listed company board experience, both as an executive and a non-executive, adds an awareness of the importance of governance, culture and strong ethics. She will become a member of RHI Magnesita’s Audit & Compliance Committee. Following her appointment, she commented: “I am proud to be part of this international company and look forward to working with the Board and the management team. In a world that is rapidly evolving and characterised by markets that are more volatile than ever before, it is crucial that companies embrace external views, adapt accordingly and adjust to new situations swiftly.”

Marie-Hélène has been a General Partner with Speedinvest, a leading European Venture Capital firm, since 2014. As the lead partner of the Industrial Tech team, she drives seed stage investments in start-ups supporting the digitalisation of Europe’s Industrial sector. She has extensive skills and experience in sustainability and Industry 4.0. She will join the Corporate Sustainability Committee and has noted, “RHI Magnesita’s recent strong commitments and announced investments, declaring sustainability as one of the Company’s top priorities, confirm its clear ambitions and strategic focus. I firmly believe that the industry of tomorrow is digital and green, and I will be living up to this maxim as part of my appointment.”

Sigalia holds non-executive directorships at a number of leading public corporations across a range of sectors and industries. She brings a wealth of international experience and geopolitical exposure, alongside solid business and financial acumen. “As part of a strong Board of Directors, I will be delighted to observe and guide RHI Magnesita’s journey by offering broad perspectives and positioning the Company well to head towards an even brighter future alongside its customers, shareholders and other stakeholders,” Sigalia observed, upon her appointment to RHI Magnesita’s Board of Directors.

With the appointment of Jann, Marie-Hélène and Sigalia, RHI Magnesita’s Board of Directors now numbers 15 members with a diverse range of valuable perspectives based on varied, international,  personal qualities and experience.