Viridien’s board of directors has announced the separation of the chair and chief executive officer functions, fulfilling an earlier commitment to limit the combined leadership structure to a temporary period. Sophie Zurquiyah will remain as Chair of the Board while stepping down from her executive responsibilities at the conclusion of her directorship term during the 2026 General Meeting.
Strategic Continuity and New Leadership
The board of directors unanimously endorsed Zurquiyah’s continuation as Chair to maintain strategic continuity and guide Viridien’s long-term vision. Since assuming leadership in 2018, she has successfully repositioned Viridien as an asset-light, technology-driven company with enhanced financial stability and a more diversified portfolio.
Following a comprehensive selection process coordinated by Colette Lewiner, chair of the appointment, remuneration and governance committee, and Philippe Salle, lead director, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Henning Berg as group CEO, effective June 3, 2026. Berg will join Viridien on March 3, 2026, as Chief Operating Officer, facilitating a structured and gradual transition into the CEO role. His appointment as director will be presented to shareholders for approval at the 2026 General Meeting.
Transition to Non-Executive Chair
Zurquiyah will transition to a non-executive chair position, with her directorship subject to approval at the upcoming General Meeting to enable a smooth handover to Berg. In accordance with best governance practices, Philippe Salle will continue serving as Lead Director.
Leadership Perspectives on the Transition
Lewiner emphasised the Board’s confidence in the leadership change: “On behalf of the board of directors, we extend our sincere appreciation to Sophie for her tremendous leadership, under which Viridien has achieved a profound and resilient transformation and is now well positioned for the future. We are confident that Henning’s experience and operational strengths will allow him to leverage the Group’s solid foundations and effectively support Viridien’s growth.”
Zurquiyah reflected on her tenure and the transition ahead: “I am proud of the Group’s accomplishments over the past eight years, which reflects not only strong leadership but also the exceptional commitment and talent of our teams worldwide. I am delighted to hand over the Group CEO role to Henning, whose knowledge and experience will support Viridien’s continued success. I look forward to supporting him during this transition and continuing my journey at Viridien as Chair.”
Berg expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “It is an honour to join Viridien at this exciting stage. I thank the board of directors and Sophie for their trust, and I look forward to working closely with the teams to drive sustainable growth for the Group.”
Extensive Industry Experience
Berg brings more than 27 years of comprehensive experience in the oil and gas services industry, having held senior global leadership positions throughout his career. His background combines deep operational expertise with substantial exposure to technology, business development, and international management, positioning him to lead Viridien’s next phase of growth.
For more information visit www.viridiengroup.com
