Sergio Giroldi to receive the Global DIY-Lifetime Award

Former Obi Group CEO and Edra/Ghin president Sergio Giroldi will receive the Global DIY-Lifetime Award 2023. The prize giving ceremony will take place at the 9th Global DIY-Summit in Berlin, Germany, during the gala evening on 15 June 2023. This decision was made by the boards of the European DIY Retail Association (Edra), the Home Improvement Manufacturers Association (Hima) and the Global Home Improvement Network (Ghin).

Sergio Giroldi, who first joined Obi in 1998 as managing director of Obi Italy, retired from his position as Group CEO of Obi in September last year. He had held this position for almost 20 years. In 2017 he was elected president of Edra/Ghin, holding the position for the full two terms prior to his retirement.

Upon the announcement of his retirement Christian Haub, chairman of the supervisory board and CEO of Tengelmann, Obi’s majority shareholder, said "During his tenure, he made Obi one of the most successful European DIY stores and the undisputed market leader in Germany and all Central European countries.”

Edra/Ghin general secretary, John W. Herbert, highlighted “Sergio gave me much support during his tenure as President of Edra/Ghin, and particularly in the Covid period when he was always present on our webinars. What I most respect about Sergio was his clarity in leadership and the high level of trust we shared.”

Reinhard Wolff, president of Hima, shared "In his role as president of Edra/Ghin, Sergio has significantly promoted the improvement of the cooperation between the Edra/Ghin and Hima associations. On this basis, the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic were able to be tackled together. I have always found Sergio to be a committed, trustworthy partner.”