The extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Wilkes, which directly controls GPA, held today in Sao Paulo (Brazil), appointed Jean-Charles Naouri, Casino’s Chairman & CEO as Chairman of the Wilkes’ Board of Directors. Through this appointment, the Casino group becomes the sole controlling shareholder of GPA in accordance with the agreements signed in 2005 with the Diniz family.
Furthermore, Mrs. Eleazar de Carvalho Filho, Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves and Roberto Oliveira de Lima were appointed to GPA’s Board of Directors during the company’s ESM also held today in Sao Paulo. As a consequence, eight directors have been nominated by Casino, giving the group the majority vote at the GPA’s Board of Directors.
With the active contribution of Casino since its first investment 13 years ago in the company, GPA has become the undisputed leading distribution group in Brazil and the country’s largest private employer.
Jean-Charles Naouri, Casino group’s Chairman & CEO declared: “I am very happy and proud that the Casino Group is taking this new role in a magnificent company such as GPA. Since we became GPA’s partner in 1999, we have strongly believed in Brazil and in the company and contributed to its success alongside the Diniz family. While maintaining GPA’s strong identity and Brazilian culture, I will, together with the entire Casino group, further support GPA’s management team, led by Eneas Pestana, its CEO, in its objective to strengthen GPA’s leadership and make it an even more beloved and admired company. “
ANALYST AND INVESTOR CONTACTS
Régine GAGGIOLI – Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 65 64 17
rgaggioli@groupe-casino.fr
or
+33 (0)1 53 65 64 18
IR_Casino@groupe-casino.fr