COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Denmark-based investment bank Saxo Bank is pleased to announce the election of former Burger King and Smirnoff vodka CEO Dennis Malamatinas to its board of directors.
Dennis Malamatinas comes to Saxo Bank after an extensive executive career at the helm of some of the world's most recognized consumer brands. From 1997-2000 he served as global CEO of fast-food chain Burger King. From 1991-1995 he was president and CEO of the Pierre Smirnoff Company, the world's largest vodka and spirits maker.
He is now officially the fifth member of Saxo Bank's board of directors, which, in addition to chairman Henrik Thufason and vice-chairman Florian Wendelstadt, includes John Korsoe Jensen and the former global head of Citibank's foreign exchange division, Julian Simmonds.
Commenting on his election to the board, Mr. Malamatinas said, "I'm very pleased to come aboard Saxo Bank's board of directors, and look forward to the opportunity to follow developments within the company at first hand. I've been a keen observer of Saxo Bank's adaptable business model, and I believe its impressive growth rates bode well for its future. I'm excited to be part of this development and to contribute to the bank's continued success."
Malamatinas has also served on the boards of directors of global news agency Reuters and Priceline.
"Dennis Malamatinas is one of the absolute stars of the international business firmament, and welcoming a member with his extensive knowledge and experience will vitally bolster our now five-member board," said Saxo Bank co-founder and CEO Kim Fournais. "Given our ambitions on the international capital markets, it is of inestimable value to us to welcome a professional of this caliber, one who can help us to realize our increasingly global strategy."
The cosmopolitan Malamatinas has lived in eight countries, speaks five languages, and is currently based in London.