Interview with Catherine Dunand

Interview with Catherine Dunand, member of Altavia’s Board of Directors

What are the unique features of Altavia’s Board?

The make-up of the administrative bodies, particularly the specialist committees; the processes in place and the documents issued; the high level of attention paid to each detail - all of these things bring to mind the governance of a listed Group. It’s a very strong measure of credibility for company shareholders and all the group’s partners, clients and suppliers.

How has the crisis changed governance ?

It has led to the legitimate calling into question of how companies function, at board level, which in turn has had a series of beneficial impacts. However, Altavia did not wait for the crisis to pay more careful attention to the management of WCR or to implement a more rigorous risk mapping process. Directors’ attention has been particularly focused on the management of country- specific risks, essentially with regard to the Group’s considerable international expansion.

The Group has seen a number of its business areas evolving. How has the Board of Directors supported these changes?

Since 2008, Raphaël Palti has sought to implement a process whereby the different administrative bodies involved in the Group’s governance are more involved in its strategy.  This is reflected in the « MOVE » (Make Our Vision Effective) initiative. A Strategic Direction Committee meets regularly to discuss ideas and thoughts put forward by the management teams. In return, the committee reinforces and challenges the directions taken. The Board also plays an important role in thought leadership and discussions on external growth and diversification, which encourages coherence and consistency in the Group’s approach.

Catherine Dunand has been a member of Altavia’s Board of Directors since May 2008.