Sylvie Lalande is called upon to take over from the late Brian Mulroney to assist Pierre Karl Péladeau at Quebecor.
The stars are aligned in favor of the appointment of the former executive employee at Bell and ex-member of senior management at Videotron to succeed the former Prime Minister of Canada as chair of the board of directors of Quebecor .
When Pierre Karl Péladeau left his position at Quebecor in 2014 to enter politics, it was Sylvie Lalande who replaced him as chair of the board of directors of the TVA Group, a position she still holds today.
The decision to appoint the person who will now chair the Quebecor board of directors following the death this winter of Brian Mulroney rests with the directors.
Pierre Karl Péladeau is not one of the seven directors at Quebecor. Two of his brothers are, however.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Sylvie Lalande, in 2019
If the appointment at the head of the board of directors of Quebecor has not yet been officially announced, it would be in particular for a question of respect towards the former Prime Minister of Canada who died at the end of February and what he represents for the company, in particular for the big boss Pierre Karl Péladeau.
We can also expect that the annual meeting of Quebecor shareholders on Thursday will be devoted to Brian Mulroney. The event is intended to be an opportunity to pay another tribute to the man who was chairman of the board of directors of Quebecor for ten years.
Sylvie Lalande should speak at the opening of the meeting on behalf of the directors. Vice-chair of the board of directors of Quebecor and chief administrator, she has been part of the board of the Montreal conglomerate since 2011. She is also chair of the human resources and corporate governance committee.
PHOTO OLIVIER PONTBRIAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Brian Mulroney passed away at the end of February.
Over the years, she was able to benefit from the wisdom, ideas, judgment and experience of Brian Mulroney, a man respected by Pierre Karl Péladeau and whose network of contacts was invaluable.
Neuralgic role
Assisting Pierre Karl Péladeau is not an easy task for anyone called upon to occupy the position of Chairman of the Board of Quebecor given the strong personality of the 62-year-old businessman, but also because he is the principal executive and controlling shareholder by virtue of shares with multiple voting rights (he controls 76% of the votes related to classes A and B of Quebecor shares). What’s more, his brothers Erik and Jean sit on the council.
Sylvie Lalande, 73, is described behind the scenes as being a businesswoman with a more direct style than Brian Mulroney. “He is a person who holds his own, who was well coached by Brian Mulroney and who has his regular one-on-one meetings with Pierre Karl Péladeau,” says a person close to the organization who does not want to be identified because that she is not authorized to speak publicly.
“There’s no point in biting Pierre Karl. We have to bring it to… and Sylvie Lalande is capable of doing that,” continues this person.
“Brian Mulroney was the perfect chairman of the board,” comments a former member of Quebecor’s senior management who does not wish to be identified for fear of harming his relations with Pierre Karl Péladeau. “Brian Mulroney listened to Pierre Karl and was a mentor. »
According to this former Quebecor executive, the person who succeeds Brian Mulroney must know the company and be aware of the personality of Pierre Karl. “You have to know how to take it, but that also applies to anyone who works closely with Pierre Karl. »
Sylvie Lalande is a person who can be firm, he continues.
She also knows how to listen, she has empathy, and knows how to pick up on people’s moods. She comes from a business background and has seen snow.
A former Quebecor executive
Another telecommunications industry driver who knows the president and CEO of Quebecor well is categorical. “No one can counterbalance Pierre Karl Péladeau,” he said, refusing to be identified, fearing harm to his personal and professional relationships.
In a case like that of Quebecor where the big boss is also the controlling shareholder, it is important that the chairman of the board can exercise positive influence over the CEO, underlines the president of the Institute on Governance, François Dolphin.
In addition to bringing relevant knowledge for corporate governance purposes and added value to discussions, he adds, this person must enable a harmonious working relationship. “So a relationship of trust without being complicit or complacent, a thin line to maintain in order to be able to tell the CEO the real things. »
The changing of the guard at the head of the board of directors comes at a time when Quebecor is integrating Freedom Mobile to achieve the expansion of its telecommunications activities outside Quebec.
It was not possible to speak to Sylvie Lalande or obtain a comment from Quebecor management.