Voltalia, the renewable energy producer and service provider, has announced a series of significant governance changes following a Board meeting held on May 20, 2026, with the backing of its majority shareholder. The most notable development is the resignation of Laurence Mulliez from her role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective at the close of the Annual General Meeting on May 21, 2026.
After more than fifteen years on the Board, including twelve years as Chairman, she leaves a long legacy of guiding Voltalia’s growth and transformation. Reflecting on her departure, she described her pride in the company’s progress and its strategic repositioning in 2025, which included appointing a new Chief Executive Officer, Robert Klein, to steer the business toward a trajectory aligned with evolving sector dynamics.
She added that she was pleased to hand over the chairmanship to fellow Board member Bertrand Cousin, whose financial expertise and commitment, she said, would support Voltalia through its next phase of development.The Board expressed its appreciation for her long-standing contribution and confirmed the financial arrangements linked to the conclusion of her duties.
These include waiving the presence condition attached to the 2022–2026 free share plan covering 7,412 shares, while maintaining the performance conditions in full. The Board also approved her fixed compensation for 2026 at €86,428 gross, consistent with the remuneration policy detailed in the Universal Registration Document and subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting
.In the same meeting, the Board decided to appoint Bertrand Cousin as the new Chairman, effective immediately after the Annual General Meeting. His remuneration terms will be determined later and submitted to shareholders for approval at a forthcoming meeting. An independent director since May 2025 and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Cousin brings more than three decades of experience in finance, governance, and the support of international high-growth companies.
Upon his appointment, he thanked Laurence Mulliez for her years of leadership and highlighted Voltalia’s strong positioning in attractive markets. He stated that he was honoured by the confidence placed in him by both the Board and the family shareholders, and committed to supporting the company’s continued development and long-term value creation alongside Robert Klein and the executive team.
Chief Executive Officer Robert Klein also paid tribute to Mulliez’s tenure, noting that her strategic insight and engagement had played a critical role in the company’s long-term development. He added that he looked forward to collaborating closely with Cousin in a spirit of continuity and collective effectiveness. To ensure a smooth transition in governance, the Board has provisionally co-opted Isabelle Kocher to replace Mulliez as a director, a move that will be submitted for ratification at an upcoming Annual General Meeting.
The Board has also appointed Emmanuelle Lemer as a non-voting observer, effective at the close of the May 21 meeting. The successor to Cousin as Chair of the Audit Committee will be announced later. With these changes, Voltalia’s Board continues to comply with French governance requirements on gender balance and independent representation.
The Board now includes Bertrand Cousin as Chairman, along with directors Sarah Caulliez, AlterBiz represented by Benoît Legrand, Céline Leclercq, Alexis Grolin, Luc Poyer, Chris Peeters, and provisional appointee Isabelle Kocher. Non-voting observers include Hugues de Pommereau and Emmanuelle Lemer. The provisional appointment of Kocher will be considered for final approval at a future General Meeting.
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