SGS publishes the invitation and agenda for the 2025 Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 26 March, 2025.
- Presentation by Géraldine Picaud, Chief Executive Officer of SGS, of the company’s excellent 2024 results and fast delivery of Strategy 27: Accelerating growth, building trust
- Approval of an optional scrip dividend of CHF 3.20 per share to be received in the form of shares or in cash
- Approval of the 2024 annual report, financial statements of SGS SA, consolidated financial statements of the SGS Group and report on non-financial matters
- Approval of the relocation of the registered office of the company
- Other statutory matters described in detail in the AGM invitation
The Board of Directors looks forward to welcoming shareholders of SGS SA in person to the Annual General Meeting taking place on 26 March, 2025, at 2:00 pm CET at the Hotel InterContinental in Geneva, Switzerland. It will be held in French and partially in English, translated simultaneously into German, English and French.
Scrip dividend proposal
The Board of Directors proposes the payment of a share or cash dividend, giving eligible shareholders the right to receive either a cash dividend of CHF 3.20 per share or a dividend in the form of shares of the company. Shares to be distributed as dividend will be created by way of a share capital increase, which the shareholders will also be asked to approve, and will be valued at a 5% discount to the market value for the purpose of converting the dividend amount into a number of shares.
The Board of Directors believes that the proposed option to receive the dividend in the form of shares at a discount is consistent with the Company’s plan to retain balance sheet strength and offers eligible shareholders an attractive opportunity to increase their investment in SGS and to participate in the group’s future growth.
2024 Integrated Report
The shareholders will be invited to approve the Company’s 2024 annual report, the financial statements of SGS SA, the consolidated financial statements of the SGS Group and the report on non-financial matters.
Together, these documents form part of the SGS integrated report, which covers a larger scope than what is strictly required by Swiss legislation and whose format is designed to help stakeholders better understand our strategy, performance, governance and impact on the planet. The Group’s non-financial performance has been reviewed independently by our external auditors, to provide assurance on the reported data.
In 2024, SGS continued to exceed expectations as a fundamentally non-polluting business and a strong contributor to a better society. It was recognized as the 6th most sustainable company in the world by TIME. We are proud that the Group is fully on track to achieve its 2027 sustainability targets.
Relocation of the registered office of the Company
The Company intends to move its registered office from Geneva to Baar (Canton of Zug, Switzerland) at the latest in the first quarter of 2026.
This decision aligns with Strategy 27 and its value drivers: growth, performance & agility and financial strength. Combining our various corporate offices in Switzerland under one roof and in a central, business-friendly location will help further simplify our structure. This will enable closer and more agile collaboration among employees, reinforcing our culture of accountability and translating into better customer service. It will also lower operating costs and boost investments in growth and innovation.
The relocation of the registered office requires an amendment of the Articles of Association of the Company, which currently provide that the Company’s registered office is in Geneva. To avoid the need of an additional Shareholders' meeting at the time of the relocation, the Board of Directors proposes to approve the relocation of the registered office at this Annual General Meeting and to authorize the Board of Directors to register the relocation once the new headquarters are ready to be used.
Board of Directors changes
All Board members are proposed for individual re-election. In addition, the Board of Directors proposes the individual elections of Mr Patrick Kron and Ms. Géraldine Picaud to the Board of Directors.
Mr. Patrick Kron is proposed to join the Board as a non-independent director.
Ms. Géraldine Picaud will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will act, if elected, as an executive Board Member. Her membership on the Board of Directors will further enhance the close collaboration between SGS’ Executive Committee and its Board of Directors as they work together to execute Strategy 27 and implement the cultural transformation necessary to focus on growth, performance, agility and financial strength. Should Ms. Géraldine Picaud be elected as a Board Member, she would not receive any additional compensation and would not join the nomination or remuneration committees.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
