Ubisoft appoints two new board members to fend off Vivendi

The cold war between Vivendi and Ubisoft continues.

Ubisoft has put forward two new independent Board members in an effort to keep Vivendi from forcing its way into the company.

Vivendi has already acquired a stake of more than 20 per cent in Ubisoft and wants a place on the Board, despite objections from Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot. Vivendi has completed its hostile takeover of Gameloft, a company with family ties to Ubisoft.

If the appointments pass the approval of the shareholders’ general meeting in September, former Uber product and engineering manager Frederique Dame, and Wrigley CEO Florence Naviner, will then join the Board.

Ubisoft’s Board currently counts four independent directors, including Estelle Metayer, whose mandate will not be renewed.

Yves Guillemot said: "We are delighted to continue the expansion of our Board of Directors with the appointment of Frederique and Florence as independent directors. Their international careers are perfectly consistent with the profile of Ubisoft, which generates more than 90 per cent of its revenues abroad. They will bring Ubisoft valuable and complementary experience; Frdrique will especially allow us to benefit from her deep expertise in digital customer experience and her extensive network in the Silicon Valley’s ecosystem; Florence will bring a detailed knowledge of all financial and strategic issues a large global group in the consumer industry faces. These are valuable assets to the Board at a time where Ubisoft has set itself an ambitious roadmap.”

"I would also like to warmly thank Estelle Metayer for her involvement and her contribution to the work of the Board over the past few years, especially for her valuable contribution to governance-related subjects and aspects linked to Ubisoft’s growth strategy. I am pleased that she has agreed to stay by my side, so that we can continue to benefit from her expertise."

Estelle Metayer added: "I am very honoured to have been able to accompany Ubisoft over the past four years and proud of the progress made. I am happy to continue advising this exceptional company in its future development.”

Last week,former Vivendi COO Stephane Roussel was named CEO of Gameloft, the studio created by Yves Guillemot’s brother, Michel.Gameloft was acquired by Vivendi earlier in June.