US EditionNovo Nordisk chair, board members to quit after dispute with top shareholder
- On Oct. 21, 2025, Novo Nordisk A/S announced an extraordinary general meeting for Nov. 14 as almost the entire Board of Directors will not stand for re‑election.
- Board chair Helge Lund argued the board sought limited renewal adding select competencies, but the Novo Nordisk Foundation wanted a more extensive reconfiguration after failed talks.
- The Foundation's slate names Lars Rebien Sørensen as Chair and Cees de Jong as Vice Chair, while Chair Helge Lund, Vice Chair Henrik Poulsen and six independent directors will not stand for election.
- Given the Foundation's stake, Copenhagen‑listed shares traded about 1.2% lower after the announcement, while Novo Holdings will announce a new chair.
- The Foundation says it proposes Lars Rebien Sørensen as Chair for 2–3 years to support CEO Mike Doustdar and plans further nominations including Helena Saxon at the 26 March 2026 Annual General Meeting.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Novo chairman to step down in board rift over pace of change
Novo Nordisk A/S Chairman Helge Lund is stepping down after a boardroom dispute over the pace of change and will be replaced by Lars Rebien Sorensen, a previous leader of the Danish drugmaker who now heads its biggest shareholder. The move is part of a wider shakeup at the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic drugs, with more than half of the board members set to depart. It comes not long after Novo replaced its chief executive officer following a slump …
Novo Nordisk’s top investor seizes board control in weight-loss drug battle
The chairman of Novo Nordisk and six other independent board members quit on Tuesday after a dispute with the company’s controlling shareholder, as the drugmaker looks to revive sales of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy.
The unrest at one of Europe's largest companies refuses to subside. At Novo Nordisk, best known for the weight-loss products Ozempic and Wegovy, half of the supervisory board has left, including the chairman. The supervisory board members oversee the executive management. They left due to disagreements with the majority shareholder. This shareholder, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, pushed for a thorough restructuring of the supervisory board. The f…
Novo Chairman to Step Down in Shakeup After Rift on Board
Novo Nordisk A/S Chairman Helge Lund is stepping down after a boardroom dispute over the pace of change and will be replaced by Lars Rebien Sorensen, a previous leader of the Danish drugmaker who now heads its biggest shareholder.
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