Promoting dialogue with our Shareholders

Head of Finance at a start-up specializing in software, Simmoni de W. has been an Air Liquide Shareholder since 2017. A member of the SCC from 2017 to 2020, she continues to be a voice for Shareholders. She is also involved with the French NGO Passerelles numériques, which enables young people from underprivileged backgrounds in South Asia to build their employability through education in the digital sector.

My time on the SCC was extremely rewarding. I was very pleasantly surprised by how attentive Air Liquide is toward its Shareholders. I felt that my voice was being heard and that I had a seat at the table. In particular, I had the chance to openly ask Benoît Potier questions, in a transparent manner, at our SCC meetings. It was a great honor. I also appreciated the depth and diversity of the committee members, in terms of age, background, expectations and more. Working with people from different walks of life and generations is an inspiring experience. Our profiles complemented each other and gave us a more creative and broader perspective.

During our meetings, we would address a wide range of topics, such as Air Liquide’s communication tools or the use of social media to target a younger audience. But it was the share ownership events that Air Liquide participates in, such as Investir Day, that really stood out for me. It was an opportunity for participants to meet and talk to the Group’s experts on Air Liquide’s projects and capacity for innovation.

By striving for a greater emphasis on communicating via digital channels, with a stronger presence on social media. The goal is to reach young people who, nowadays, are more readily focused on crowdfunding and don’t necessarily think about investing in a future-oriented company like Air Liquide. Indeed, the role of the SCC is to put share ownership into the hands of the people and to dispel the perception held by young people that it is institutional or overly formal. Air Liquide is doing its utmost in this regard.