Change of leadership at the Swiss Venture Club SVC

With Andreas Gerber, a personality is to become the new president of the SVC who knows the association from the inside and thus ensures continuity. Gerber has been a member of the board for two years and was already SVC regional manager and jury member of the Prix SVC in Espace Mittelland as well as in the economic region of Zurich. As head of Credit Suisse's Swiss SME business, he is well aware of the challenges and opportunities facing Switzerland as a location for SMEs. "The Swiss Venture Club is a success story and has become indispensable as an entrepreneurial network," says Gerber. "I am proud to take over the presidency of this successful and well-run association from Hans-Ulrich Müller. I will enthusiastically continue and further develop the SVC in its proven form to promote and support entrepreneurship in Switzerland."

Heart and soul and continuity as central pillars

Gerber is to succeed SVC initiator Hans-Ulrich Müller, who has put his heart and soul into building and developing the SVC over the past 16 years and is now not standing for re-election. "It is the combination of continuity and innovative strength that distinguishes the strongest Swiss SMEs. The life cycle of an SME extends far beyond the life horizon of a founder or owner. It's the same with SVC," explains Hans-Ulrich Müller. "When I see where we are and what's still possible; when I see how much energy and experience Andreas Gerber brings to the table, it's clear to me that this is the perfect moment to step down and make way for a new generation with new ideas." In addition to Hans-Ulrich Müller, another founding member, Elisabeth Zölch Bührer, will be stepping down from the board, as will Brigitte Breisacher, Denis Grisel and Silvio Tarchini.

A promising new generation

Thanks to forward planning, the search for successors has already been completed. On the one hand, the two National Councillors Marcel Dobler and Fabio Regazzi, on the other hand, the entrepreneur Corinne Fischer and Thomas Trachsler, member of the management board of Mobiliar, are standing for election. In the selection of the candidates, attention was paid not only to a strong connection with the SME economy, but also to a balanced representation of the regions and industries in the future board. Elisabeth Zölch Bührer is happy and proud that these four personalities could be won over: "They bring with them all the qualities to develop the association substantially and to provide access to new networks," she is convinced. "At the same time, their willingness is proof of the high standing the SVC enjoys in business and political circles." The new president and board members will be elected at the general meeting on September 6, 2017.

Thanks to a visionary and doer

The Swiss Venture Club goes back to the idea and initiative of Hans-Ulrich Müller, who founded the club in 2001 together with Elisabeth Zölch Bührer and Beat Brechbühl. Under his leadership as president, the Swiss Venture Club has developed into one of the most important entrepreneurial networks in Switzerland. The SVC attracts special attention each year by awarding the Prix SVC to exemplary, innovative companies. To date, a total of 51 award ceremonies have been held in seven regions and over 300 companies have received awards.