LONDON – The Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company today announced that it has appointed Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland, to its Board of Directors.

The Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company acts as a guardian of the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Created in the midst of World War II in 1941, the Trust Principles apply to the entire Thomson Reuters business and are designed to preserve its independence, integrity and freedom from bias in the gathering and dissemination of information and news. The new appointment will take effect on January 1, 2016.

Halonen is a globally recognized leader in human rights, democracy, social justice and equality, and these themes have come to define her political legacy. Her commitment to this space has earned her official honors and appointments from over 30 nations, including the United States, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Russia. 

A member of Finland’s Social Democratic Party, Halonen served two terms as the country’s President, from 2000-2012. During this time, she also served as co-chair of the United Nations Millennium Summit (2000), as co-chair of the International Labour Organization’s World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization (2002-2004), co-chair of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability (2010-2012) and as the Chair of the Council of Women Leaders (2009-2014). She also held several cabinet positions including Minister for Foreign Affairs (1995-2000) prior to being elected President. Her political career in Finland spans over four decades, beginning with her appointment as parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister in 1974. She was then elected to Parliament in 1979 and was reelected four times before taking office as President.

Upon her exit from office, the TH Global Sustainability Foundation was established to promote Halonen’s work in sustainable development. Halonen continues to work closely with the United Nations and other international organizations as well as non-governmental organizations and networks.

Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, Chairman of the Founders Share Company’s Board, said, “President Halonen is a celebrated global leader with a longstanding commitment to democracy, justice and equality, and we are honored that her deep experience will be applied to the Founders Share Company. A perfect addition to the Board of Directors, she joins an impressive roster of colleagues from politics, diplomacy, public service and business.”

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