Board of Directors

Biography

Robert F. Spoerry (born 1955, Swiss citizen) has been Chair of the Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG since March 30, 2011, and a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2003. 

Robert F. Spoerry is also the non-executive Chair of the Board of Directors of Mettler Toledo International Inc., a leading global manufacturer and marketer of precision instruments and related services for use in laboratory, manufacturing, and food retailing applications. He joined Mettler Toledo in 1983 and was CEO from 1993 to 2007. He led the buyout of Mettler-Toledo from Ciba-Geigy in 1996, and the company’s subsequent Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 1997. In 1998, he was nominated as Chair of the Board of Directors. 

His long-standing experience in the technology sector, his deep knowledge of Sonova and his strong technical background with innovation-driven companies provides a substantial benefit to the Group and its shareholders. Robert F. Spoerry devotes a substantial amount of his time to his service as Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Nomination and Compensation Committee.

Robert F. Spoerry graduated in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.
 

Outside mandates:

• Member of the Board of Conzzeta Holding AG
• Non-executive Chair of the Board of Mettler Toledo International Inc.

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 8 out of 8 meetings attended
• Audit Committee: 6 out of 6 meetings attended as guest
• Nomination and Compensation Committee: 7 out of 7 meetings attended

Holdings as of 31.03.2021

• Shares: 41,227
  Restricted Shares¹⁾: 14,293

Biography

Stacy Enxing Seng (born 1964, US citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2014 and serves on the Nomination and Compensation Committee. She became Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting in June 2021.

She previously served as President of Covidien’s Vascular Therapies division. Stacy Enxing Seng joined Covidien in July 2010 through its acquisition of ev3 where she was a founding member and executive officer responsible for leading ev3’s Peripheral Vascular Division from inception. She has also held various positions at Boston Scientific, SCIMED Life Systems Inc., Baxter Healthcare, and American Hospital Supply.

With her broad experience in the medical technology sector as well as in the healthcare sector and her strong track record in growing startups and leading multinational companies, she brings important perspectives to the Group. Her expertise in working with regulatory agencies around the globe brings valuable insight to the Board of Directors.

Stacy Enxing Seng received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Michigan State University.

Outside mandates:

• Member of the Board of Directors of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
• Member of the Board of Directors of LivaNova, Inc.
• Venture Partner, Lightstone Ventures
   

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 8 out of 8 meetings attended
• Nomination and Compensation Committee: 7 out of 7 meetings attended

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: 3,231
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 5,353

Biography

Gregory (Greg) Behar (born in 1969, Swiss citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2021.

He has been the CEO of Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in the science of nutrition, since 2014 and a member of the Nestlé Executive Board since 2017. From 2011 to 2014, he was President & CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. (USA). Prior to that, he held various leadership positions with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany), Novartis AG, and Nestlé SA. 

With his broad international business and executive experience in the healthcare industry as well as his strong track record in leading successful global businesses, Greg Behar brings valuable insight to the Board of Directors. 

Greg Behar earned an MBA from INSEAD, France, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and manufacturing from EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of California in Los Angeles, USA.

Outside mandates: 

• CEO of Nestlé Health Science 
• Member of the Board of Directors of Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (mandate held at the direction of Nestlé as part of his role as CEO of Nestlé Health Science)
• Member of the Board of Directors of Axcella Health Inc. (mandate held at the direction of Nestlé as part of his role as CEO of Nestlé Health Science)

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: -
• Restricted Shares: -

Biography

Lynn Dorsey Bleil (born in 1963, US citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2016. She serves on the Audit Committee. 

She retired as Senior Partner (Director) from McKinsey & Company in the US in 2013 after more than 25 years of advising senior management and boards of leading healthcare companies on corporate and business unit strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and public policy across all segments of the healthcare value chain. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Auspex Pharmaceuticals until its sale to Teva in March 2015, and DST Systems until its sale to SS&C in April 2018.

With her extensive experience in advising North American healthcare companies across the entire value chain and through her various board mandates in this sector, she brings very valuable strategic perspectives to the Group and contributes her broad knowhow as a Board member.

Lynn Dorsey Bleil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Outside mandates:

• Member of the Board of Directors of Alcon Inc.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Stericycle Inc.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
• Vice Chair of the Governing Board of Intermountain Healthcare Park City Hospital

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 8 out of 8 meetings attended
• Audit Committee: 6 out of 6 meetings attended

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: 30
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 5,353

Biography

Lukas Braunschweiler (born 1956, Swiss citizen) was the CEO of the Sonova Group from November 2011 until March 31, 2018 and has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2018 and serves as member and chair on the Nomination and Compensation Committee.

Before joining the company, Lukas Braunschweiler was CEO of the Swiss technology group RUAG. From 2002 to 2009, as President and CEO, he headed the Dionex Corporation. The California-based company, active in the life sciences industry, was listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Previously, from 1995 to 2002, he held various group executive positions in Switzerland and the US for Mettler Toledo, a precision instruments manufacturer.

Lukas Braunschweiler brings broad CEO experience from a variety of tech-oriented companies and industries in an international environment. Having served as CEO of Sonova from 2011 to 2018, he has not only a comprehensive knowledge of Sonova as a company and its business but also a broad experience in the global hearing aid industry.

Lukas Braunschweiler received a Master of Science in analytical chemistry (1982) and was awarded a Ph.D. in physical chemistry (1985) from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

Outside mandates:

• Chair of the Board of Directors of Tecan Group AG
• Member of the Board of Directors of private, non-listed BURU Holding AG
• President of Swiss Management Association SMG

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meetings: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meetings: 8 out of 8 calls attended
   

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: 25,007
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 2,488
• Restricted Share Units: 2,183
• Options: 96,016

Biography

Roland Diggelmann (born in 1967, Swiss citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2021and serves on the Nomination and Compensation Committee.

Since 2019, he has been CEO of Smith & Nephew plc, a UK-based leading global medical technology company active in orthopedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound management. From 2008 to 2018 he was managing director for the Asia / Pacific region and later CEO of Roche Diagnostics. He previously held senior management positions in sales and marketing as well as strategic planning at Zimmer Holdings and Sulzer Medica (later known as Centerpulse). 

With more than 20 years of executive experience in the medical device industry across many parts of the world and as an active CEO, Roland Diggelmann provides valuable input to the implementation of Sonova’s strategy.

Roland Diggelmann studied Business Administration at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Outside mandates: 

• CEO of Smith & Nephew plc
• Member of the Board of Directors of Igenomix
• Member of the Board of Directors of HeartForce AG

Beteiligungen per 31.03.2021

• Aktien: -
• Gesperrte Aktien: -

Biography

Ronald van der Vis (born 1967, Dutch citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2009 and member of the Audit Committee.

Ronald van der Vis was Executive Director of the Board and Group CEO of Esprit Holdings Limited, a global fashion and lifestyle company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, from 2009 until November 2012. Prior to this, since 1998, he held various general management positions at GrandVision NV, the world’s leading optical retailer. He was group CEO at GrandVision NV from 2004 to 2009.

With his extensive international expertise in the retail sector and his broad M&A, corporate finance and strategic experience, Ronald van der Vis provides valuable input to the Group’s vertically integrated business strategy.

Ronald van der Vis graduated from the Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands and received his Master’s degree in business administration from the Alliance Manchester Business School in the UK. He has gained significant financial expertise both through his education and through his business experience as CEO and private equity partner.

Outside mandates:

• Operating Partner, Co-Investor and Industry Advisor
• ​Chair of the Supervisory Board of European Dental Group Holding BV
• ​Member of the Supervisory Board of HEMA BV
   

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 8 out of 8 meetings attended
• Audit Committee: 6 out of 6 meetings attended
   

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: 3,231
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 5,353

Biography

Jinlong Wang (born 1957, US citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2013.

He served as operating partner at Hony Capital after he was Chair and CEO at PizzaExpress Group Holdings Limited. Previously he held a number of senior positions at Starbucks including Senior Vice President of Starbucks Corp., President of Starbucks Asia Pacific Region, as well as Chair and President of Starbucks Greater China Region. He started his career as a government official in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade in China.

With his broad business and legal background, particularly in the retail sector with a strong network both in China and in the United States, he brings valuable insights to the Board of Directors. Thanks to his extensive operational and business development expertise he has made tangible contributions to the Group’s strategy in Asia and in particular in China.

Jinlong Wang graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Trade from the University of International Economics and Trade in Beijing in 1982 and received his Juris Doctor degree at Columbia School of Law, Columbia University, in 1988.

Outside mandates:

• Independent non-executive director of Swire Properties Limited
• Independent non-executive director of Kerry Group PLC.
   

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 8 out of 8 meetings attended

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: 4,846
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 5,353

Biography

Adrian Widmer (born 1968, Swiss citizen) has been a non-executive member of the Board of Directors since 2020 and serves as member and chair on the Audit Committee.

Since 2014 he is Group CFO of Sika AG, a global specialty chemical company based in Switzerland. Adrian Widmer previously served as Head Group Controlling and M&A at Sika from 2007 to 2014. Prior to joining Sika, he held various management positions at BASF, Degussa and Textron Inc. in the areas of finance and controlling, business development and general management.

With his broad management background, his experience in M&A and business development and particularly his financial expertise as active CFO, Adrian Widmer is well qualified to serve on the Audit Committee as a financial expert and is an ideal sparring partner for Sonova’s CFO.

Adrian Widmer holds a Master of Science degree in Business and Economics from the University of Zurich, Switzerland and completed the Advanced Management Program of INSEAD Fontainebleau in France. 

Outside mandates:

• Group CFO of Sika AG
• Member of the Board of Directors of Swiss Steel Holding AG (until the 2022 AGM)

Meeting attendance during the financial year 2020/21

• Regular Board of Directors meeting: 5 out of 5 meetings attended (Guest at Board meeting before AGM in June 2020)
• Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting: 6 out of 8 meetings attended (Guest at the meeting before the AGM in June 2020)
• Audit Committee: 5 out of 6 meetings attended (Guest at the meeting before the AGM in June 2020)

Holdings as per 31.03.2021

• Shares: -
• Restricted Shares¹⁾: 731