Election for the Board of Representatives led to lower average age and more women

Verdo held elections for the Board of Representatives and some of the seats on the Supervisory Board in spring 2022. The Board of Representatives was expanded from 51 to 85 possible members at this time. Verdo wanted a larger Board of Representatives, to make it possible for more people to stand for election and thus attract both younger and older people, men and women, ordinary consumers and seasoned business people.

A targeted effort was made in connection with the elections to attract more female members and young people, given that Verdo’s consumers are a broad mix of ages and genders. Our goal is for our Board of Representatives to better reflect this diversity.

While we are still some way off achieving gender and age balance, clear progress was evident after the election in 2022. Around 25% of the members of the Board of Representatives are now women (18 out of 70). This is an increase of 10 percentage points compared to the previous board.

The average age has also dropped by about five years. This shows that we have managed to reach a broader range of consumers, which benefits both consumers and Verdo.

Several members of the Supervisory Board were also up for election in spring 2022. There was no change in the proportion of male and female board members here. The Supervisory Board continues to consist of nine men and one woman, as well as four employee representatives, one of whom is a woman.

What do the new members of the board have to say?

We asked some of the new members of the Board of Representatives what made them stand for election, and whether the role is meeting their expectations.

Oliver Jørgensen Planner

I graduated in summer 2021. During most of my time at university I have had a desire to gain experience with board work, so when I heard that there was an election for the Board of Representatives at Verdo, I knew I had to give it a try. Verdo is a key player in the Randers cityscape, and with the energy and climate crises being more pressing than ever, it was a clear opportunity to get closer to the action as a consumer.

Being part of a Board of Representatives offers insight into how a company the size of Verdo works, and the strategic considerations behind any new ideas and initiatives. As a consumer, it has also been interesting to witness how Verdo tries to stay one step ahead of everyday and future challenges. Also, the Board of Representatives is made up of members from very different backgrounds. This has led to many interesting discussions, about the development of the sustainable and green energy sources of the future etc.

Anne Brandborg Senior Manager, Communication

I work in the energy sector and therefore also have a lot of experience from the ‘other side of the table’. I think that the role of boards of representatives is often overlooked by people my age. That’s unfortunate, because it’s a really interesting way to gain insight into and influence some of the companies at the heart of Danish infrastructure and the green transition. I also see it as a good way to gain new experience and expand my network.

I think Verdo is undergoing an exciting transformation, where some things are being tidied up and focus sharpened. It’s interesting to be a part of this, and follow developments a little more closely than via the local media. I also look forward to getting to know some of the other members better.

Lone Maarup Christensen HR employee

I was encouraged to stand for the Board of Representatives. I chose to do so in order to gain knowledge of an interesting new area – the energy sector – and expand my knowledge of Verdo.

As a member of the Board of Representatives, I also get to expand my network and meet people I would not normally meet. Verdo also takes good care of us, also when it comes to preparing for the Board of Representatives meetings. So it is a very positive experience overall.