Through the Shareholders’ Communication Committee (SCC), Air Liquide promotes dialogue and gives a voice to its Shareholders.
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.
In 1987, Air Liquide was the first company to establish an SCC. Chaired by Benoît Potier, the committee meets three times a year and each member is appointed for a three-year term. On the agenda: meetings, discussions with internal and external experts, and active participation in Shareholder communication projects.
After two years behind closed doors, the 2022 Annual General Meeting will once again be held in-person. However, it will also feature a new digital dimension, in particular thanks to optimized replay. Air Liquide will then hold a regional Shareholders’ meeting on May 12 in Lille, France.
The Shareholder Services Department, which counts around 40 experts, maintains a privileged shareholder dialogue on an ongoing basis. In addition, the online Shareholder Portal was revamped in 2021. More intuitive, it offers a clearer presentation of the various elements related to stock market transactions. It also allows registered Shareholders to have a consolidated view of their portfolio and to follow its evolution, and brings together the various account documents of direct registered Shareholders. Shareholding has never been so simple!
