Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, one of the main firms of private bankers in Europe, and IMD, a world leader in executive development, have announced that they have conferred the tenth annual IMD - Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Distinguished Family Business Award on three family foundations in recognition for their philanthropic endeavors: the Fundació Lluís Carulla in Spain, the Ivey Foundation in Canada, and the Lopez Group Foundation in the Philippines.

The award winners were saluted by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II at the palace of Monaco at an evening celebrating the tenth annual IMD - Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Distinguished Family Business Award on Thursday, September 21, 2006. Winners were presented their awards at an official ceremony later in the evening by Thierry Lombard, a Senior Partner of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, and Professors John Ward and Annelie Stider of IMD. The award, which is considered one of the greatest honors for a business family and is generously donated by Chopard, testifies to the dedication, spirit of solidarity, and social responsibility of the winning families in their philanthropic endeavors.

About the award

The award recognizes family foundations with an outstanding commitment to philanthropy. Excellence must be achieved in a number of criteria, such as the clarity and sustainability of their social endeavors, exemplary corporate governance, a focus on family values, and the involvement of multiple generations. Family foundations aim to create social value by supporting specific projects that have a substantial impact on local communities. "This award takes into account the strategic and philanthropic activities of exemplary business families whose generosity and enlightened leadership are an inspiration to business families across the globe. At today's ceremony, we are delighted to honor the untiring commitment of the three winning families," announced Thierry Lombard, a Senior Partner of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie. John Ward and Annelie Stider, Professors of Family Business at IMD, also commented, "The awardees illustrate with distinction the special creativity and effectiveness of multi-generation philanthropic families.”

About the winners

The Fundació Lluís Carulla: The Fundació Lluís Carulla was the result of a bold initiative by Lluís Carulla Canals launched during the rule of Franco, when the Catalan language and culture were forbidden. It aims to preserve and develop Catalan culture. The Carulla family has received this award for its management of the foundation, which will soon pass to the third generation. The family draws on independent external members who add value and help to further the foundation's aims. In this way, the Fundació Lluís Carulla remains true to the family's objectives, while judiciously adapting its strategies to meet changing needs.

The Ivey Foundation: Set up shortly after World War II, the Ivey Foundation broke new ground in environmental protection. Indeed, it was one of the first organizations to finance measures aimed at preserving Canada's endangered forests. The winning Canadian family has been involved in the foundation for three generations, sharing ideas, initiatives, and drive. The foundation is very much aware of the need to achieve good governance and involve future generations as well as to constantly re-evaluate and update its mission. Each generation follows the family model in adapting the foundation's strategy and making it as effective as possible.

The Lopez Group Foundation: This foundation aims to help solve the main challenges facing Filipinos in their daily lives. By meeting their needs – be they economic, social, or cultural – the foundation plays a part in combating poverty, marginalization, and oppression. Through the foundation, the Lopez family coordinates the social responsibility measures of its business group, which is active in communications, energy, infrastructure, and real estate. This Filipino family is recognized worldwide for the support it offers its fellow citizens.

About the award partners

Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie

Founded in 1796, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie is one of the largest firms of private bankers in Switzerland and in Europe. It is a family business that has been passed down from one generation to the next and can draw on a long tradition of providing investment advice. It has always remained true to its original vocation: preserving and growing the assets entrusted to it, and helping to hand them down to future generations. Private bankers for seven generations, the Partners of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie are deeply attached to their independence, which has ensured their freedom of judgment and ability to develop long-term strategies in the best interests of their clients. It is the Bank’s mission to satisfy the unique requirements of a private and entrepreneurial client base. Its tailor-made solutions, solid institutional values, and unstinting quest for excellence in strategic analysis, financial research, and portfolio management have all served to cement its reputation. With 21 offices in 16 countries, the Firm today has over 1,700 employees. In addition to their involvement in the presentation of this award, the Partners of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie have also contributed to the development and financing of the IMD – Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Family Business Center.

IMD

IMD is an independent, not-for-profit foundation located in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a world leader in the provision of management education for senior executives. The Institute has over 50 years' experience in developing the leadership capabilities of international business executives at every stage of their careers and offers innovative learning solutions either open to all or designed for the specific needs of individual companies. Recognized for its excellence, IMD’s "Real World, Real Learning" approach helps executives and companies to sustain and increase their competitiveness at the global level. IMD has unique international experience in the field of management education for family businesses. Its flagship seminar "Leading the Family Business" has featured in the prospectus since 1988, and managers from more than 700 family businesses throughout the world have visited Lausanne to complete the program. Lausanne is considered the world capital of management education for family businesses, and is home to the head office of the Family Business Network (F.B.N.), the only international association for family businesses. IMD is also home to the IMD – Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Family Business Research Center.

Chopard

Known in the luxury goods industry for its watch and jewelry collections as well as its Haute Joaillerie creations, Chopard & Cie is a family business in the true sense of the term. Karl Scheufele and his wife Karin handle the presidency, while their children Karl-Friedrich and Caroline serve as vice-presidents. One of the only family businesses operating in its industry, Chopard currently employs a total of 1,300 people worldwide spread across three production sites, along with 11 distribution subsidiaries from New York to Singapore, and 87 stores worldwide. Chopard pursues vertical integration in the watch and jewelry businesses so as to maintain control over the entire process and ensure total independence. As a result, its workforce includes representatives of 45 separate professions, all playing their role at a specific stage of production, such as design, research and development, gold casting, case and bracelet manufacturing, gem-setting, etc. This characteristic makes Chopard a rare phenomenon in the watch and jewelry world. Given the wealth of know-how within the company, it is naturally concerned with the lasting survival of these artistic professions. Chopard therefore runs its own training center to ensure that today’s apprentices will become the artisans who will perpetuate the traditions of tomorrow.

Contacts

If you would like more information, please visit www.fundaciolluiscarulla.com, www.ivey.org, www.lopezgroup.org, www.lodh.com,  www.chopard.com or contact:

John Ward, IMD, Wild Group Professor of Family Business. Tel.: +41(0)21 618 0111. E-mail: john.ward@imd.ch

Annelie Stider, IMD, IMD Professor of Family Business. Tel.: +41(0)21 618 0111. E-mail: annelie.stider@imd.ch

Geneviève Keeley, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie. Tel.: +41(0)22 709 3496. E-mail: genevieve.keeley@lodh.com

Jérome Koechlin, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, Head of Communication. Tel.: +41(0)22 709 3850. E-mail: jerome.koechlin@lodh.com

Alessandro Sofia
IMD Media Relations
Tel: +41(0) 21 618 0636
Contact Alessandro Sofia