At Roche, ex-airline boss Franz promises continuity

By Caroline Copley BASEL (Reuters) – Outgoing Lufthansa boss Christoph Franz vowed to keep Roche on its current course after shareholders overwhelmingly elected him as chairman of the Swiss drugmaker. The 53-year-old is taking over as non-executive chairman of the world's largest drugmaker by market capitalization from Franz Humer who is stepping down after 16 years as CEO and chairman. This company is on track and therefore continuity (…) is the order of the day," Franz said on Tuesday, after 99.8 percent of shareholders approved his election. Franz, who implemented a tough cost-cutting programme at the German airline that was met with ire from trade unions, is inheriting a company at the top of its game.