Thomson Reuters Founders Share Co names new chairman

The Founders Share Company acts as a guardian of the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, adopted by Reuters in 1941 and now applicable to the entire Thomson Reuters business. They are designed to preserve its independence, integrity and freedom from bias in the dissemination of news and information. The board of directors of the Founders Share Company comprises 15 directors from 11 different countries.

Ellemann-Jensen, pictured, a long-standing director of the Founders Share Company, is also a non-executive director of several Danish and international businesses. He was a member of the Danish parliament from 1977 to 2001 and served as Denmark’s minister of foreign affairs from 1982-1993. He was editor-in-chief of the Danish business daily Børsen from 1975 to 1976, a television commentator on economic and political affairs and journalist on  the daily Berlingske Aftenavis.

He said: “I am honoured to be appointed to succeed Pehr Gyllenhammar as Chairman of the Board. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the work of Thomson Reuters at a time when the Principles are as important as they have ever been.”

The constitution of Thomson Reuters Corporation, ultimate parent company of the Thomson Reuters group, includes provisions to safeguard the Principles. Thomson Reuters has issued the Founders Share Company with a single Founders Share which enables it to restrict any shareholder action which threatens the Principles.

Gyllenhammar, a former Reuters main board director who became chairman of Reuters Founders Share Company in 1997, said: “I am delighted to welcome Uffe Ellemann-Jensen as Chairman of the Board and I am convinced that he will eminently continue the relationship of trust, vigilance and confidence that exists between the Founders Share Company and Thomson Reuters.” ■