SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, announced today that shareholders approved all resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors during its Annual General Meeting in Zurich, including the scrip dividend proposal, the Company’s financial and non-financial reports, and the election of all proposed Board members. This year’s Annual General Meeting also marked the appointment of Gilbert Ghostine as new Chair of the Board of Directors, succeeding Calvin Grieder, who stepped down after seven years of distinguished service.
Gilbert Ghostine, new Chair of the Board of Directors, commented:
SGS is a company with a remarkable legacy and an essential mission. Its reputation has been built over decades by the professionalism, expertise, and commitment of its people around the world. To be entrusted with the chairmanship of such a Company is something I approach with humility and respect.
Scrip dividend
Shareholders approved 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. The shares to be distributed as dividend to eligible shareholders will be valued at a discount of 5% to the market value of the SGS 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 accelerate growth while retaining balance sheet strength. Such option offers eligible shareholders an attractive opportunity to increase their investment in SGS and to support the continued fast execution of Strategy 27.
The delivery of the dividend shares is scheduled for 24 April 2026.
The proposed share capital increase under agenda item 3.2 was also approved.
Financial and non-financial reports
The shareholders approved the Company’s 2025 annual report, the financial statements of SGS SA, the consolidated financial statements of the SGS Group and the report on non-financial matters.
Election of the Chair of the Board
Mr. Gilbert Ghostine was elected as member and Chair of the Board of Directors. His biography is available at sgs.com/2026agm.
Election of the Board of Directors
All other Board members standing for re-election were re-elected.
In 2026, the Board of Directors and Remuneration Committee will be composed as follows:
Board of Directors
Mr. Gilbert Ghostine (Chair), Mr. Sami Atiya, Ms. Phyllis Cheung, Mr. Ian Gallienne, Mr. Tobias Hartmann, Mr. Patrick Kron, Ms. Géraldine Picaud, Ms. Kory Sorenson, Ms. Janet Vergis.
Remuneration Committee
Mr. Sami Atiya (Chair), Mr. Patrick Kron, Ms. Kory Sorenson.
Remuneration matters
Shareholders approved the total maximum compensation for the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including the remuneration of the Board of Directors until the 2027 Annual General Meeting, the fixed remuneration of the Executive Committee for 2027, the variable remuneration of the Executive Committee for 2025 and the Long-Term Incentive plan to be issued in 2027. Shareholders further endorsed the 2025 Remuneration Report in an advisory vote.
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 over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 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 a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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