The Shareholders' Meeting of Safilo Group S.p.A. nominates Robert Polet as the new non executive Chairman of the Group

05/10/2011
Padua, October 5, 2011 – The Shareholders’ Meeting of Safilo Group S.p.A., which met today, approved the proposals of the Board of Directors held on August 2, 2011, increasing the number of the members of the Board from seven to eight and nominating Mr. Robert Polet as the new non executive Chairman of the Group.

Mr. Melchert Frans Groot, who handed over his position, remains as a non executive member of the Board of Directors.

Born in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in 1955, Mr. Polet has been, from 2004 to 2011, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Management Board of the Gucci Group contributing to the successful consolidation and growth of the Group and its brands. He previously spent 26 years in the Unilever Group where he was President of Unilever’s Worldwide Ice Cream and Frozen Foods division, a $ 7.8 billion business consisting of over 40 operating companies.
Prior to that position, Mr. Polet worked in a variety of executive roles within Unilever, including Chairman of Unilever Malaysia, Chairman of Van den Bergh’s and Executive Vice President of Unilever’s European Home and Personal Care division.
Mr. Polet is also a non executive Director of Reed Elsevie PLC/NV, Wilderness Holdings Ltd and Philip Morris International Inc.

All the documentation relating to the Shareholders’ meeting, including Mr. Robert Polet’s curriculum, is available on the company’s internet website www.safilo.com/en/investors.html .


The Safilo Group is worldwide leader in the premium eyewear sector and maintains a leadership position in the prescription, sunglasses, fashion and sports eyewear sectors. Present in the international market through exclusive distributors and 30 subsidiaries in primary markets (U.S.A., Europe and Far East). The main proprietary branded collections distributed are: Safilo, Carrera, Smith Optics, Oxydo, Blue Bay, and the licensed branded collections are: Alexander McQueen, A/X Armani Exchange, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Bottega Veneta, BOSS Black, BOSS Orange, Dior, Emporio Armani, Fossil, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, HUGO, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Nine West, Pierre Cardin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent.

This press release is also available on the website www.safilo.com .

For further information:

Safilo Group Investor Relations
Barbara Ferrante
ph. +39 049 6985766
www.safilo.com/en/investors.html

Safilo Group Press Office
Cristina Andresano
Milan – ph. +39 02 76020154
Padua – ph. +39 049 6985322

Community consulenza nella comunicazione ph. +39 0422.416.111 - 02.89.40.42.31
Auro Palomba – Mob. +39 335.71.78.637
Giuliano Pasini – Mob. +39 335.60.85.019



Last update: 05/10/2011, 12:48