Roche confirms election of new board members

Roche shareholders have voted Paul Bulcke, Christoph Franz and Peter Voser as members of its board of directors.

The three new directors were elected by shareholders during the company's annual general meeting in Basel, while also agreeing to reduce the term of office for members from three to two years.

Mr Bulcke is the current chief executive officer (CEO) of Nestle and Mr Franz holds the equivalent role at Lufthansa, while Mr Voser occupies the CEO position at Royal Dutch Shell.

In addition, the departures of Walter Frey and Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer from the board were confirmed during the meeting, as neither director chose to stand for re-election.

Franz Humer, chairman of the board of directors at Roche, said: "I welcome that with Paul Bulcke, Christoph Franz and Peter Voser, experienced leaders, have been elected to the board."

According to its latest financial report, Roche's pharmaceutical and diagnostics units saw sales growth that exceeded the overall market pace in the last year.