News & positions

AIM appoints Michelle Gibbons as new Director General

The Board of AIM, the European Brands Association, has today appointed Michelle Gibbons as Director General with effect from January 1, 2018. Ms Gibbons succeeds Alain Galaski who will leave the Association after 25 years as Director General in December 2017.

“We are delighted to welcome Michelle on board at an exciting time for our industry. Her exceptional knowledge of the Brussels scene, combined with her deep business experience, will be an asset to AIM and its members and to our mission to provide Europe with quality growth and jobs“, commented AIM President Jan Zijderveld, President Unilever Europe and Member of Unilever’s Executive Team.

‘’In his 25 years at the European Brands Association, Alain spearheaded the path to sustainable growth through trusted brands. He leveraged the power of brands to nudge consumers into adapting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. He did so with flair, professionalism and combined a business and policy instinct that always put the consumer at the heart of everything we do. It’s a testimony to his leadership that he ensured such a professional transition and for that we want to thank both Alain and Michelle’’ said AIM President Jan Zijderveld.

The branded goods industry in Europe is of strategic importance. One euro invested in the brands industry results in twice as much growth than in the non-branded economy*. The branded economy accounts for 21% of EU jobs and pay a 42% wage premium**.

*Brands, Growth and Innovation PIMS (2004)

**Intellectual property rights intensive industries: contribution to economic performance and employment in the European Union, The European Patent Office and the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (September 2013)

About AIM

AIM is the European Brands Association representing brand manufacturers in Europe on key issues which affect their ability to design, distribute and market their brands.

AIM comprises 2500 businesses ranging from SMEs to multinationals, directly or indirectly through its corporate and national association members. Our members are united in their purpose to build strong, evocative brands, placing the consumer at the heart of everything they do.

AIM’s mission is to create for brands an environment of fair and vigorous competition, fostering innovation and guaranteeing maximum value to consumers now and for generations to come. Building sustainable and trusted brands drives investment, creativity and innovation to meet and exceed consumer expectations. AIM’s corporate members alone invested €14 billion in Research & Development in Europe in 2014, placing them fifth in the EU ranking of R&D investment.