Indeed, on June 1, 2022, François Jackow will succeed me as Chief Executive Officer. I will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors, a role that I am familiar with, having already held it for around 15 years. We have planned this transition carefully with the entire Board of Directors, and I have complete faith in François, his leadership qualities, his experience and his unrivaled knowledge of the Group. I am confident that he will continue, in tandem with the Executive Committee team, the transformations that are already underway and will take them even further, notably through our new strategic plan ADVANCE.
Announced on March 22, 2022, this plan for 2025 marks an important step for the Group as we embark on a path of global performance that combines both financial and extra-financial indicators. We are convinced that growth only makes sense if it has a positive impact on the environment and society at large. Building the future means being financially efficient, ensuring continuity and the ability to invest in the future, acting as a leader of industry decarbonization, promoting progress through technological innovation and acting for everyone.
We are at a very singular moment in the history of the world, marked by geopolitical, economic and environmental upheavals. The last two years have profoundly transformed our societies, and we have all lived it first hand. More recently, the war in Ukraine and the terrible humanitarian and economic consequences that stem from it have changed the geopolitical situation and shaken up the world order. Despite these challenges, I think that the world must continue to move forward, and that we must always believe in the future and build it with conviction. From the Group’s point of view, our resilience and our capacity to adapt are true assets. For over 120 years, Air Liquide has ceaselessly cultivated its key strength: the ability to perceive and even anticipate the profound changes impacting society, and to offer the necessary expertise.
We are also at a real turning point in the Group’s history. Despite the current uncertain environment, I remain confident in Air Liquide’s ability to face the challenges ahead. The opportunities for Air Liquide remain numerous. Our international presence, inventor DNA, technological expertise and the diversity of our business, supported by the strength of our model, will enable the continuation of our growth trajectory. We are having a truly decisive impact on the markets that are essential for the future: hydrogen, of course, which is part of a rapidly changing energy world, but also healthcare, electronics and high technologies. Few companies have such a wide range. We are pleased to be able to act in so many markets.
Our Shareholders have always been at the heart of the Group’s history. Today we have more than 500,000 Shareholders, and we will build the future together. To maintain communication during the pandemic, we had to reinvent our approach by fully mobilizing our Shareholder Services Department advisors, modernizing the online Shareholder Portal section and stepping up digital communication. After two entirely digital General Meetings that were held behind closed doors, our Shareholders will be invited to attend the General Meeting on May 4, 2022, which will combine the best of in-person and digital attendance to produce high-quality Shareholder dialogue. I will be delighted to see everyone there.
