Sanofi-aventis board member steps down

Sanofi-aventis has announced that Jean-Francois Dehecq has stepped down from his position as a member of its board of directors.

Mr Dehecq confirmed his decision at the company’s combined general shareholder meeting, where it was also announced that he will now become Sanofi-aventis’ honorary chairman.

This comes in the same week that Mr Dehecq was named as the president of Sanofi Espoir, the company’s newly-established corporate foundation.

As Sanofi Espoir’s head, he will lead the foundation in its humanitarian efforts to improve access to healthcare provisions among underprivileged people around the world.

Following this announcement, Sanofi-aventis also revealed that Serge Weinberg will become the new chairman of the board of directors, while also renewing the mandates of several other members, including chief executive officer Christopher Viehbacher.

Mr Dehecq said: “I leave with confidence in the collaboration of Serge Weinberg and Chris Viehbacher to lead Sanofi-aventis to further successes.”