Delfin: LMDV, signs of genuine dialogue between shareholders – let’s turn the page
Essilux, Del Vecchio Jr: Milleri should focus his efforts on the Group
(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - With regard to the reorganisation of Delfin, “I see the first signs of genuine dialogue amongst Delfin’s shareholders. Stepping down from their roles at EssilorLuxottica was a step forward: it has helped to rebuild a climate of trust.” Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony for the new Agordo Children’s Centre, built with the support of the LMDV Foundation, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio reflected on the holding company’s reorganisation. “Sometimes,” he adds, “to break a deadlock, you have to be the first to make a move. After four years of deadlock, I believe the conditions are now in place to turn the page.”
“I don’t think today is the day to talk about fines and legal proceedings. We are working on a comprehensive agreement regarding my father’s estate, and once that is finalised, the disputes will be resolved. That is where I want to focus my efforts,” said the president of the LMDV Foundation.
Del Vecchio Jr: Milleri should focus his energies on the Group
“Francesco Milleri is, first and foremost, the chief executive of EssilorLuxottica, and that is where his energies must be focused. There is an important event on 20 October: the quarterly results,” said Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio. “The group’s profitability is at an all-time high, but the market is reacting to a lack of clarity regarding its future strategic positioning,” Del Vecchio further emphasised. “My father was the greatest: he left behind a company capable of standing on its own two feet for three years. But even he could not have foreseen the upheavals we are experiencing today, from artificial intelligence to conflicts. Now we need people capable of steering the ship through uncharted waters,” he added.
Delfin should choose the most flexible option that creates value
‘I have read about an ongoing dispute between the Delfin board and the shareholders. As far as I am aware, there has been no contact as yet, but I trust that Director Bardin still has my number. When the board wishes to speak to us, my position is clear: Delfin must choose the option that ensures greater flexibility and value creation to tackle the new phase of its governance.” Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony for the new Agordo Children’s Centre, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio commented on the various banking takeovers, which also see the Delfin holding company among the major shareholders who will have to decide whether to participate.
Members’ meeting to be held by the end of October – a sense of responsibility is needed
With regard to the future decisions to be taken by the Delfin holding company, “the meeting between the shareholders will take place – and I hope by the end of October – because we have important matters ahead of us.” So said Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio on the sidelines of the opening ceremony for the new early years centre in Agordo. In the meantime, he added, “the experts are working on it, and that’s how it should be: we’ll meet when there’s something to decide. I ask everyone, myself included, to show the utmost sense of responsibility.”
