BASEL/ILKESTON (NNA) – The CEO of the Swiss-based Weleda group of companies, Patrick Sirdey, has been honoured by the French state with the National Order of Merit.

This is the first time in the history of Weleda that a chief executive has received such an honour, the company said in a press release.    

Patrick Sirdey became CEO in June 2008 after working for the company for 30 years, initially with Weleda France. In 2000 he became deputy chairman of the Group management.

In previous public and business roles, he was involved in 1986 in setting up the Société Financière de la Nef, the first ethical finance institute in France, and in 1989 Sirdey helped to establish the Association Européenne des Fabricants de Médicaments Utilisés en Thérapeutique Anthroposophique (AEFMUTA - European Association of Anthroposophic Medicine Producers) of which he became chairman.

The National Order of Merit is the second highest order in France. It is intended to honour special achievements in public service and in the civil sphere.

Reorganisation at Weleda UK

Meanwhile change is afoot at Weleda UK with the announcement that its managing director, Bob Ballard, will be retiring in 2012.

Ballard will step back from his operational duties by the end of 2011 and officially retire from duty at the Weleda UK annual general meeting to be held on 24 April 2012, the company said.

During the past 16 years, Ballard has markedly developed both Weleda UK and anthroposophic medicine in this country through his various roles, Weleda UK commented: “Thanks to Ballard’s unremitting efforts and drive, it has been possible to preserve the legal status of anthroposophic medicines in the UK. His ‘ways to quality’ seminars have not only improved the professionalism of Weleda, but also that of numerous other institutions.”

Under Ballard’s management, Weleda UK had outgrown its previously hippy-chic image and moved into the mainstream beauty arena whilst remaining true to its roots as an original green pioneer. The company had expanded and developed its range whilst continuing to grow greener and tighten its eco belt even further, the announcement said.

In other developments, Roger Barsby will be promoted to operations director from 1 January 2012, responsible for supply chain, production and support processes. Jayn Sterland will be promoted to commercial director and will be responsible for sales and marketing for both Weleda natural pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

In a move that appears to put Weleda UK more directly under the control of the parent company in Switzerland, the two will work directly with Peter Braendle, regional director Northern Europe. A new marketing manager will be recruited to work alongside Sterland.

Braendle, who has been largely based at Weleda’s Group headquarters in Switzerland, will take a more operational role in the UK and is already very much involved in “preparation for a successful 2012”:

“I am very happy that, in Jayn and Roger, we have found ‘home-grown’ successors. We still have plenty of room to grow, and I am very much looking forward to working with the UK team and to tap the huge potential Weleda still has here,” the announcement quoted him as saying.

“Weleda has always been more than just natural and organic. Our holistic approach is rooted in a 90-year-old profound understanding of the human being and nature, and a genuine dedication to quality and efficacy. Every Weleda product on the shelf embodies this unique ethos. With this we have become a ‘must stock’ brand for our trade partners, and we plan to offer even more added value with tailor-made training support programmes and creative marketing solutions for the future,” Braendel said

END/nna/cva

Item: 111212-02EN Date: 12 December 2011

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