PADI worldwide (worldwide headquarters) acquires PADI Europe after the completion of the sale by PADI Europe on the PADI worldwide group announced in March, PADI adapts to the corporate governance structure for PADI Europe headquartered in the Switzerland. The legal entity PADI Europe AG is a new Board of Directors. This consists of personalities of the mother house and the top management of PADI Europe. Definitely, the sale by PADI Europe on the PADI worldwide group was completed mid-March 2009. The previous Board of Directors resigned from their Office by this date. PADI now realigns the corporate governance structure by PADI Europe and advocates the “PADI Europe AG” a three-member Board of Directors.
Jean-Claude Monachon (Executive Director, PADI Europe) was nominated as Chairman of the new Board of directors by PADI Europe AG. Drew Thomas Richardson (President and Chief Operating Officer PADI worldwide) and Jurg Strasser (Director, PADI Europe) were elected as members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has constituted on February 27, 2009. Thus, also the standing committees of the Board of Directors and their responsibilities were laid down. PADI Europe under the former company name will occur regardless of the change of ownership. In addition, PADI Europe will use together with the established management team competence, dynamics and resources of the network by PADI worldwide increasingly target leader.
PADI Europe, the PADI Europe part of the PADI worldwide group is a wide range of diving programs and – products (for beginners and professionals) in all major languages with a market share of 65 percent offering PADI Europe leader in diving education in their market area (Europe, Maldives, Egypt, Israel). PADI Europe employs approximately 60 people, looked after 30’000 professionals, so instructors and Divemasters, which annually perform diving over 180’000. PADI Europe leads with over 1’200 dive center and resort the densest distribution network of all diving operators in Europe. PADI worldwide group was 1966 PADI worldwide founded and is global market leader in the area of standardized diving training. From our head office in Rancho Santa Margarita (California) and from various regional seats (local area offices) PADI worldwide leads its business activities in numerous countries and regions (Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa, North & South America) with almost 6’000-affiliated Dive Center and resort, more than 132 000 professionals (instructors and Divemasters). Since the establishment of the Organization, PADI has trained divers worldwide over 12 million.