Industrial Executive & Non-Executive Board Moves in Switzerland

Industrial Executive Moves

Adval Tech

• Thomas Zimmermann-Liu has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Board, effective no later than January 1, 2026. With extensive international leadership experience, most recently serving as CFO and Executive Board member at Apontis Pharma, Zimmermann-Liu will support the group’s growth strategy and transformation with his financial and strategic expertise. He succeeds Markus Reber, who will depart the company after ensuring a smooth handover.

Alpiq

• Alpiq has appointed Peter-Wim Gerssen as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Luca Baroni, who will leave the company at the end of October 2025 after more than four years in the role. Gerssen brings extensive leadership experience in the energy sector, most recently serving as CEO of Shell Asset Management Company.

APG

• Francesca Conestabile has taken over as Head of the Southern Region (Ticino) at APG, retroactive to September 1, succeeding Renato Belotti, who will retire in early 2026. Conestabile has been with APG for over a decade, most recently serving as Belotti’s deputy with responsibility for both external and internal sales. Belotti will remain in place until his retirement to support her transition into the new role.

Ascom

• Ascom has appointed Michael Reitermann as Delegate of the Board and interim CEO, succeeding Nicolas Vanden Abeele who stepped down after nearly four years as CEO. Reitermann, Board Member since 2020 and an experienced med-tech and life sciences executive in both the USA and Europe, will focus on accelerating growth execution, particularly in the USA and Canada, while a CEO search is underway.

Bachem

• Thomas Meier has relinquished the Chief Operations Officer responsibilities and will continue solely as CEO of Bachem, while Hans Van Hees has started in the role of Chief Operations Officer effective 1 September 2025, bringing over 25 years of manufacturing leadership experience and having served most recently as COO Europe.

Bell Food Group

• The Board of Directors of Bell Food Group has appointed Sven Friedli as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Group Executive Board, effective September 1, 2025, following the departure of Xavier Buro in April 2025. Friedli, who has served as CIO and brings extensive leadership experience and strong internal recognition, will now lead the newly integrated Finance/Services and IT division.

Barry Callebaut

• Alvaro Alonso has been appointed as President Western Europe, effective November 1, 2025, with direct reporting to CEO Peter Feld and membership in the Extended Leadership Team. Alonso brings over 30 years of consumer goods experience, including senior leadership roles at Beiersdorf across Europe and North America, as well as earlier positions at Carrefour and Unilever.

Bossard Schweiz

• Bossard Schweiz’s current CEO Peter Kammüller, who has shaped the company since 2017 through strategic development and integration initiatives, is set to retire this year. Tobias Berchtold, a Bossard veteran since 2012 with extensive international and domestic experience, including leadership roles in Thailand, Australia, and the Netherlands, will assume the CEO position on November 1, 2025.

Bystronic

• Wilfried de Backer has been appointed as Chief Service Officer and member of the Executive Committee, effective October 1, 2025, reporting to CEO Domenico Iacovelli, succeeding Eamon Doherty, who left the company in early September. De Backer brings extensive experience from senior roles at Rieter, General Electric Service, and Alstom Power.

Dätwyler

• Chief Sustainability Officer, Sabrina Gérard, who has been with Dätwyler since 2010, will leave her position on November 1, 2025. At the same time, Dätwyler has announced its decision to streamline its Group Executive Board to five members, integrating the Sustainability & Operational Excellence function into existing structures as of June 1, 2025.

DSM-Firmenich

• DSM-Firmenich has announced that Alessandre Keller will join the company on 22 September 2025 and, as of 1 January 2026, will become President of Health, Nutrition & Care (HNC), succeeding Philip Eykerman, who will remain on the Executive Committee as Chief Strategy, M&A and Transformation Officer; Keller brings over 25 years of global leadership in healthcare, nutrition, and FMCG, with a proven track record in strategic innovation and operational excellence.

• On the same date, Maurizio Clementi will be appointed President of Taste, Texture & Health. (TTH), following the retirement of Patrick Niels after 34 years with the company; Clementi, with 14 years at DSM-Firmenich and deep expertise in Taste, is recognized for building high-performing, customer-focused teams and driving cross-industry growth.

• In addition, Ivo Lansbergen will step down from the Executive Committee on 1 October 2025 to dedicate himself fully to leading the Animal Nutrition & Health business through its planned carve-out, continuing to report to CEO Dimitri de Vreeze.

Ems-Chemie

• EMS-Chemie has appointed Alexander Hergert as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 March 2026; currently CFO of the EMS-EFTEC division, he brings in-depth financial expertise and leadership experience within the group and will join the Executive Management. He succeeds Olivier Minger, who will leave EMS at the end of February 2026 to pursue opportunities outside the company after serving as CFO since October 2023.

Equans

• Equans Switzerland has appointed Adrien de Panthou as Head of Building Technology for Romandie and Ticino, and as a new member of the executive management team effective July 1, 2025. In addition to overseeing these regions, de Panthou will also assume strategic responsibility for Business Development and Marketing across the entire company, bringing valuable experience from leadership roles at Vinci, Axione, and most recently as Head of Business Development and Strategy for the Equans Group in Paris.

Exentis

• Exentis Group has appointed Rolf Bachmann as CEO effective October 1, 2025, succeeding Gereon Heinemann, who will remain with the company as COO. Bachmann, a former McKinsey Partner and CEO of Lazard Switzerland, brings extensive international management experience and will focus on expanding Exentis’ global presence across Europe, Asia, and North America while strengthening strategic customer engagement.

Fenaco

• Fenaco has appointed Joëlle Hars and Silja Stofer to its executive management team, effective early 2026. Joëlle Hars, joining from SBB where she led the energy division, will head Fenaco’s newly created Energy/Logistics division, bringing extensive expertise from her leadership roles at SBB, SRG, BKW, and Planair. Silja Stofer, who has led Fenaco’s corporate communications since 2019, will oversee the new Sustainability/Development/Communications department.

Forbo

• The Board of Directors of Forbo has appointed Johannes Huber as the new CEO of the Forbo Group, effective 1 January 2026, succeeding Jens Fankhänel, who stepped down at the end of April 2025 for health reasons. Huber, currently leading the Diamond Systems Business Unit at Hilti AG and a member of its Group Executive Management Team, brings over two decades of leadership experience in growth, innovation, and global construction industry expertise.

• To ensure continuity, Peter Germann, former long-standing CFO of EMS-Group, will assume the role of interim CFO starting 1 October 2025, following the departure of Andreas Jaeger, interim CEO and CFO, who will leave the company at the end of October 2025.

Forteq

• Andreas Moser, currently CFO, has been appointed CEO effective November 1, 2025, succeeding Lucie Toscani who will depart at the end of October. Moser, a business economist with many years of experience in the automotive industry, is recognized for his strong leadership and deep knowledge of the company and its stakeholders.

Galderma Group

• Galderma has announced that Thomas J. Dittrich will step down from his position as CFO to pursue another senior executive opportunity outside the company, effective in 2026.

Genève Aéroport

• Jean-François de Saussure has been appointed as the new Director General of Geneva Airport, effective early November 2025. He brings extensive leadership experience from his previous roles at SGS and as General Director of Caran d’Ache from 2012 to 2021. De Saussure succeeds Gilles Rufenacht, who announced his departure in June after just over a year in the role.

Georg Fischer

• Georg Fischer has appointed Anna Engvall as Head of Investor Relations and Chief Risk Officer, effective 8 September 2025, reporting to CFO Mads Joergensen. She joins from SoftwareOne, bringing over 20 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, M&A, and investor relations, with previous roles at BNP Paribas, Syngenta, Morgan Stanley and UBS. Engvall succeeds Nadine Gruber, who has moved internally to become CFO of the GF Building Flow Solutions division.

Givaudan

• Givaudan has announced that long-serving CEO Gilles Andrier will retire in March 2026, with Christian Stammkoetter, currently President Asia, Middle East & Africa at Danone, appointed as his successor, bringing over 25 years of global leadership experience in consumer goods, innovation, and customer-centricity to the company.

Groupe E

• Groupe E has confirmed Alain Sapin as its new Chief Executive Officer, following his interim leadership since May 2025 after the departure of the former CEO Jacques Mauron. A 20-year member of the company’s executive management, Sapin is a trained electrical engineer and EPFL doctorate holder who previously led the Electrical Energy division, overseeing hydropower, renewable energy, power trading, and major infrastructure projects.

Gurit

• Dr. Javier Perez-Freije will step down from his position as CFO, effective November 30, 2025. Gurit announced in September the new CFO as well, Viktor Bernhardt, who brings over 25 years of international finance experience and has held senior positions at various companies, most recently serving as the CFO of the KWC Group.

Hochdorf

• Hochdorf has announced the appointment Philippe Mele as Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Management Board in July 2025, enhancing the company’s expertise in business development and international sales, particularly in the infant nutrition segment. Mele brings extensive global experience in the food industry, with a strong background in clinical nutrition, healthcare, and baby food, along with a broad network and deep product knowledge.

ISS Schweiz

• ISS Schweiz has appointed Olivia Oeschger as Head of Human Resources and Corporate Culture, effective 1 October 2025, succeeding Agnes Stutz, and she will also join the executive management team. Oeschger brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience, including senior roles at Zurich Insurance and FIFA.

Kardex

• Kardex has appointed Winnie Ahrens as the new Head of its Mlog division, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding longtime leader Hans-Jürgen Heitzer, who will step down at the end of 2025 and remain as an advisor until his retirement in 2026.

Kuehne + Nagel

• Kuehne + Nagel has appointed Eduardo Razuck as head of its Contract Logistics business unit and member of the management board, effective 1 October 2025, succeeding Gianfranco Sgro, who is leaving to become CEO at Arriva Group; Razuck, with more than two decades at the company and recent responsibility for Contract Logistics in the Americas, brings proven leadership and operational expertise.

• As of 1 May 2026, Søren Schmidt will take over as head of Road Logistics from Hansjörg Rodi, who will retire in summer 2026; Schmidt joins after a 30-year career at DSV, including a decade as CEO of its Road Logistics division, adding deep industry knowledge and international experience.

Lidl

• Lidl Switzerland has expanded its Executive Management by creating the new role of Chief Customer Officer, appointing Bram van der Valk, effective September 2025. A 20-year veteran of the Lidl Group, van der Valk has held senior leadership positions across Europe and Asia in marketing, procurement, e-commerce, and operations, and has been instrumental in launching initiatives such as Lidl Punkte and the Qualité Suisse brand in Switzerland. In his new role, he will oversee Marketing, Brand, Customer Relations, and Sales, bringing deep international retail expertise and a proven track record in customer-focused innovation.

Lonza

• Lonza has appointed Jason Berndt as Head of Group Operations, Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Committee, effective 1 October 2025, succeeding Maria Soler Nunez. Soler Nunez, currently Head of Group Operations, will move into a newly created role as Chief Quality Officer, also as Executive Vice President, remaining on the EC. Berndt brings over twenty years of experience in global operations, and has held senior roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Teva Pharma, Procter & Gamble, and as a consultant; while Soler Nunez brings deep internal operational knowledge and a strong track record in quality and compliance.

MCH Group

• Cintia Ferreira has been appointed Chief People Officer, succeeding Susann Zumstein, effective September 2025.

Medartis

• Caroline Knöri assumed the role of Chief Human Resources Officer, following the departure of Inge Maes, effective 1 August 2025.

Medmix

• Francisco Faoro has been appointed Chief Technology Officer in July 2025, after the previous Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Dr. Holger G. Warth stepped down in April 2025.

MET Group

• MET Group has appointed Tom Van de Cruys as Chief Executive Officer for its Sales & Trading Segment, effective September 2025, and Huibert Vigeveno as Group CEO, effective January 2026. Van de Cruys, joining from TotalEnergies, brings deep expertise in energy markets to enhance the company’s commercial and trading capabilities, while Vigeveno, formerly a member of Shell’s Global Executive Committee, succeeds Benjamin Lakatos, who will transition to Executive Chairman.

Mobility

• Mobility announced that CEO Roland Lötscher will step down after seven years at the helm. The Board has launched the search for his successor to lead Mobility into its next strategic phase.

Montana Aerospace

• Montana Aerospace has appointed Vicky Welvaert as a member of the Executive Board, where she will continue to lead the group’s strategy and execution in HR, ESG, and communications at the corporate level. With this appointment, the Executive Board now consists of three members: Vicky Welvaert, and Co-CEOs Kai Arndt and Michael Pistauer (who also serves as CFO).

Nestlé

• Nestlé’s Board of Directors dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe with immediate effect on 2 September 2025 following a violation of the company’s Code of Business Conduct, appointing Philipp Navratil, formerly CEO of Nespresso and a 24-year Nestlé veteran, as his successor. Navratil is tasked with accelerating growth and efficiency while maintaining the group’s strategic direction. To succeed him at Nespresso, Nestlé has appointed Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen, currently leading Nespresso North America, as CEO and Executive Board member effective 1 November 2025.

Novartis

• Harry Kirsch will retire as CFO of Novartis on 15 March 2026, with Mukul Mehta succeeding him effective 16 March 2026.

Obi

• Obi announced that Chief Operating Officer Brigitte Wittekind will leave the company on 1 October 2025, with her responsibilities integrated into other corporate functions as part of efforts to streamline structures and reduce complexity. The COO position will not be refilled. At the same time, Obi has appointed Lena Steiner as Country Manager Switzerland, effective October 2025, bringing strong transformation and retail expertise from her previous role as CEO of Saviva and leadership positions at the Migros Group.

Partners Group

• Partners Group announced the appointment of Tarak Mehta as Partner and Co-Head of Private Equity Goods & Products on 1 September 2025. Mehta was previously CEO of The Timken Company and a long-standing senior executive at ABB.

Repower

• Roland Leuenberger will step down as CEO of Repower at the end of May 2026 to take on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors at Axpo. Having joined Repower’s Board in 2016 and led the company as CEO since 2019, Leuenberger has been instrumental in strengthening its market position and preparing it for future challenges.

Ringier

• Ringier announced that Petra Ehmann, Group Chief Innovation and AI Officer, will step down at the end of September 2025 after three highly successful years in the role. During her tenure, she played a key role in driving innovation, AI, and product management across the group, notably by establishing a company-wide accelerator. With these initiatives now firmly embedded, the business units are positioned to further develop them independently.

SFS

• SFS has announced significant leadership changes effective January 1, 2026: Urs Langenauer, currently Head of the Automotive Division, will take over as Head of the entire Engineered Components segment, following the dissolution of its internal divisions. George Poh, long-standing Head of the Electronics Division, will retire at year-end and exit the executive board, while Walter Kobler, Head of Medical & Industrial Specials, will also leave the board but continue to lead the Medical Business Unit until his retirement in late 2026. Additionally, Martin Reichenecker will lead the Asia region, succeeded in his current Distribution & Logistics segment role by Iso Raunjak, and Christina Burri will assume responsibility for Human Resources, Marketing, and ESG.

SIG Group

• SIG’s Board of Directors and Samuel Sigrist have mutually agreed that Sigrist will step down as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, after 20 years at SIG and 4.5 years as CEO. Ann-Kristin Erkens, currently Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Interim CEO, bringing continuity and financial expertise to the leadership team while the Board initiates the search for a permanent CEO.

Siegfried

• Siegfried has appointed Peter Freisler as Chief Business Officer and member of the Executive Committee, effective August 1, 2025, succeeding Marianne Späne, who will step down from operational leadership and support the transition until year-end before joining the board of Siegfried's subsidiary Dinamiqs.

Skan

• Skan has appointed Jonas Greutert as CEO, effective 1 January 2026, succeeding Thomas Huber, who led the company for over eight years and will remain on the Board of Directors; Greutert joins from Mettler-Toledo, where he led the Product Inspection Division, bringing strong leadership experience in global precision instruments and prior executive roles at Dätwyler.

SMG Swiss Marketplace Group

• Christoph Tonini stepped down as CEO in September 2025. His departure marks a significant leadership change for the group as it enters its next phase of expansion following the IPO on 19 September 2025.

SoftwareOne Holding

• Melissa Mulholland has been appointed Co-CEO, joining CEO Raphael Harmann Erb in a dual leadership of SoftwareOne Holding, effective July 2, 2025.

• On the same date, Division President Oliver Berchtold was named Chief Operating Officer, filling a role vacant since 2022 following the departure of Alex Alaxandrov.

Swiss Prime Site

• Effective January 1, 2026, Marcel Kucher will succeed René Zahnd as Chief Executive Officer, following a structured succession process. After a decade of transformative leadership marked by divestments, acquisitions, and cultural renewal, Zahnd steps down, while a search process for Kucher’s successor as CFO has been initiated.

Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

• Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) has appointed Anja Fiedler as CEO, effective summer 2026, succeeding Simone Wyss Fedele. Fiedler, currently Head of Export Promotion and a member of the Executive Board since 2023, brings extensive leadership experience from senior roles at Haco, Unilever, Philip Morris International, Lonza, and Hoffmann-La Roche, and is expected to strengthen S-GE’s international growth and innovation agenda.

Tecan

• Tecan Group announced that Dr. Achim von Leoprechting will resign as CEO effective 1 August 2025, and Monica Manotas, a Board member since April 2024 with decades of leadership experience in the life sciences industry, will take over the CEO role on that same date. Ralf Griebel will depart as Head of the Partnering Business division, and Manotas will serve as interim head of that division starting after Griebel’s exit.

Temenos

• Temenos announced that Jean-Pierre Brulard stepped down as CEO effective 4 September 2025, after only 16 months in the role, with no reasons disclosed for his departure. The Board has appointed CFO Panagiotis Spiliopoulos as interim CEO while an external executive search is underway to identify a permanent successor.

VAT Group

• VAT Group has announced that Finn Felsberg, Executive Vice President of the Semiconductor Solutions Group, will leave the company to pursue a new opportunity outside the organization. Having joined VAT in December 2023. Until a successor is appointed, CEO Urs Gantner will assume interim leadership of the semiconductor activities to ensure continuity.

Zug Estates

• Zug Estates has appointed Janine Nauer as a new member of the Executive Board, effective April 2026, where she will head Project Development & Construction. She is currently leading the Real Estate Development Team for German-speaking Switzerland at Swiss Life Asset Management. She succeeds Peter Wicki, who is leaving the company after more than six years to pursue new professional opportunities.

Contact

Dominik Brülisauer
Russell Reynolds Associates
Stampfenbachstrasse 5 | 8001 Zurich | Switzerland
Direct: +41-44-447-30-46
Mobile: +41-79-549-80-28
dominik.bruelisauer@russellreynolds.com