Anne-Catherine Berner Appointed as New Chair of Grifols: A Strategic Move Toward Long-Term Value Creation and Governance Excellence
Grifols a global leader in the development of plasma-derived therapies and diagnostic technologies, has announced a key leadership transition following its 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Anne-Catherine Berner has officially been appointed as the new non-executive Chair of the Board, succeeding Thomas Glanzmann, who chose not to seek re-election after a distinguished 20-year tenure with the company. This significant change at the helm underscores Grifols’ commitment to evolving its leadership while maintaining its core values of integrity, innovation, and patient-centered care.
A New Era of Leadership
Anne-Catherine Berner’s appointment signals the beginning of a new chapter in Grifols’ history, marked by a forward-looking strategy focused on sustainability, innovation, and global expansion. Berner joined the company’s Board of Directors in 2024 as an independent director. Since then, she has demonstrated deep insight into the healthcare landscape and has been recognized for her strategic acumen and strong leadership qualities. Her elevation to Chair of the Board is seen as a natural progression for a leader who embodies the principles and vision of the company.
In her first official address as Chair, Berner shared a heartfelt message with Grifols’ shareholders, emphasizing the importance of continuity, responsibility, and purpose:
“It is an honor to be part of such an exceptional company, which for more than a century has improved the lives of millions of people. The values that have brought us this far are the cornerstones of our success and will continue to guide our path going forward. As Chair, I will work to maintain the high standards of quality, rigor, transparency and governance that characterize the company, and will look out for the best interests of our patients and donors with an eye on the long term.”
Berner’s diverse background in business, governance, and innovation is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Grifols’ boardroom while ensuring continuity with its longstanding mission to improve global health through transformative plasma therapies and diagnostics.
Honoring Two Decades of Dedicated Leadership
The transition in leadership also serves as an opportunity to honor the contributions of outgoing Chairman Thomas Glanzmann. Under his stewardship, Grifols expanded its global footprint, invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facilities, and solidified its role as a market leader in the plasma-derived medicines sector. His vision and strategic guidance were instrumental in steering the company through both growth opportunities and industry challenges.
Raimon Grifols, Vice-Chairman of the Board, expressed the company’s gratitude and optimism during the transition:
“Since joining the Board of Directors as an independent director in 2024, Anne has demonstrated her ability and vision to lead Grifols. We are convinced that her experience, judgment and leadership will make a decisive contribution to the company’s success in this new phase. We also say a very special thank you to Thomas for 20 years of outstanding commitment to Grifols, always acting in the best interests of Grifols and its stakeholders.”
Strong Shareholder Confidence Reflected at 2025 Annual Meeting
Grifols’ 2025 General Shareholders’ Meeting, held at the company’s headquarters in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain, marked a strong show of support for the company’s leadership, strategy, and performance. A total of 602 shareholders were represented at the meeting, collectively holding 297,122,195 Class A shares—equivalent to nearly 70% of the company’s share capital with voting rights. The broad shareholder participation and approval across all agenda items signaled strong investor confidence in Grifols’ strategic direction and governance model.
Key resolutions approved by the shareholders included the reelection of Víctor Grifols Deu to the Board of Directors. Deu, a pivotal figure in the company’s strategic operations, has played a central role in advancing its business development and innovation efforts. His reelection was widely viewed as a move that will help preserve the company’s long-term vision and operational continuity.
The meeting also ratified Pascal Ravery as an independent director, bringing further expertise and balance to the board. In addition, Paul S. Herendeen was appointed as a proprietary director, representing the interests of major institutional shareholders, including Flat Footed, Mason Capital, and Sachem Head. These appointments reflect Grifols’ dedication to maintaining a well-rounded and experienced board capable of guiding the company through its next phase of growth.
Financial and Operational Achievements in 2024
Grifols used the occasion of the Annual Meeting to review its strong financial and operational performance in 2024, a year marked by strategic execution and positive momentum across key business segments. The company reported revenues of €7,212 million, exceeding internal forecasts and marking a 10.3% increase at constant exchange rates. Adjusted EBITDA stood at €1,779 million, translating to a robust operating margin of 24.7%. Net profit for the year reached €157 million, reinforcing Grifols’ ability to generate consistent earnings while investing in long-term growth initiatives.
These results not only reflected the resilience of Grifols’ core plasma business but also highlighted the company’s progress in innovation and regulatory milestones. One of the year’s most notable achievements was the successful submission of fibrinogen approval applications in both the European Union and the United States—an important step in expanding the company’s therapeutic portfolio and addressing unmet medical needs.
The endorsement of the 2024 financial statements by the shareholders underscored their confidence in the company’s financial stewardship and strategic investments. Grifols continues to prioritize investments in R&D, production capacity, and digital transformation—all of which are crucial to sustaining its competitive advantage in the plasma-derived medicines and diagnostics space.
Advancing a Vision for Long-Term Sustainability and Innovation
With Anne-Catherine Berner now serving as Chair, Grifols reaffirms its commitment to building a sustainable and resilient business model grounded in innovation, transparency, and global impact. The company’s strategic priorities include strengthening its plasma collection infrastructure, advancing next-generation plasma-derived therapies, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities through digital health solutions.
Berner’s leadership is expected to guide Grifols in refining its long-term vision, especially as the company seeks to achieve greater self-sufficiency in plasma sourcing and continue innovating to meet the growing needs of patients worldwide.
As Grifols embarks on this new chapter, the combination of strong financial fundamentals, committed leadership, and a values-driven approach positions the company well for continued growth. The successful leadership transition and robust shareholder engagement underscore Grifols’ reputation as a well-governed, forward-thinking organization poised to shape the future of healthcare through science and compassion.
