elfins Romolo Bardin resigns from Generali board

The exit of Bardin follows that of Generalis second-largest investor – Italian entrepreneur Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone – on Thursday, in a challenge to the reappointment of current Chief Executive Philippe Donnet.

Donnet‘s bid for a new term as CEO is at the centre of a struggle among Generali’s biggest investors, including Caltagirone and eyewear magnate Del Vecchio.

Donnet is backed by Generalis leading investor Mediobanca and a majority of board members.

Delfin is the third-largest investor in the insurer with a 6.618% stake. Caltagirone holds 8.04% of Generali, trailing Mediobancas 12.8% stake.

“Bardin referred to operating procedures and some choices of the Board and in the Committees in which he participates, in particular, the process for the formation of the board list, as reasons for his decision to step down,” the statement added.

Generali Chairman Gabriele Galateri di Genola said he regretted Bardins decision and that the company had conducted its business “according to the standards of absolute transparency and rigorous fairness, in the interest of all stakeholders”.