A&D Pharma, the largest Romanian pharmaceutical group, with 113.2 million euros in turnover in the first quarter of this year, has recruited Jean-Michel Lespinasse as Chief Operating Officer of the marketing & sales division. This is the group’s second appointment in 2009, after Robert Popescu was confirmed as CEO, having previously spent several months as interim CEO. Lespinasse succeeds Vivian Diaconescu, who had stepped down from his position in January 2009. The division that Lespinasse will run posted 13.6 million-euro sales in the first quarter of this year, which compares with 25.8 million euros in the similar time of last year. “The appointment of Mr. Lespinasse and his experience in Russia and CIS countries will enhance the Group’s sales & marketing activities across the CEE region,” said Robert Popescu, CEO of A&D Pharma. Lespinasse spent 10 years in Bristol-Myers Squibb from 1996 to 2006 where he worked as Director of Financial Analysis and Planning – for Central & Eastern Europe, Finance Director for Russia, Senior Director, Finance & Operations for export markets and after 2002, General Manager for Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries (Belarus, Caucasus, Kazakhstan). By appointing Lespinasse as COO, A&D Pharma fills its last management position left vacant.