Leadership transition on the Foundation Council – Christian Mumenthaler succeeds Kaspar Villiger
Nov 2024
Press release
The UBS Center for Economics in Society (UBS Center) at the University of Zurich announces a leadership change as Kaspar Villiger steps down as Chairman of the Foundation Council at the end of this year. Christian Mumenthaler, former Group CEO of Swiss Re, will assume the role as his successor effective 1 January 2025, bringing his vision and expertise to guide the UBS Center’s continued effort in building bridges between academia and the broader society.
Christian Mumenthaler, an industry leader with extensive experience at Swiss Re, brings a unique perspective to the UBS Center’s mission. His commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting a forward-thinking approach in the industry aligns seamlessly with the Center’s goals.
Economics for Society: Kaspar Villiger’s enduring legacy
The UBS Center for Economics in Society was founded in 2012 as an Associated Institute at the University of Zurich, made possible by UBS’s 100 million Swiss franc donation on its 150th anniversary. Initiated by Kaspar Villiger, then Chairman of UBS, this generous contribution was part of a broader educational initiative aimed at positioning Switzerland as a global leader in research and education. Villiger, along with UBS Group CEO Sergio P. Ermotti and Professor Ernst Fehr, established a foundation that bridges academia, business, and policy to address critical economic and social issues. Drawing on his experience as a Federal Council member, Villiger understood the importance of collaboration across sectors, fostering a unique platform for dialogue.
In 2020, UBS renewed its commitment with an additional 27 million Swiss francs, securing the Center’s development for another decade. “Kaspar Villiger has been a remarkable leader, whose vision and dedication have been foundational in bringing together academia, business, and policy at the UBS Center. His legacy will inspire us for years to come,” remarked Professor Ernst Fehr, Vice Chairman of the Foundation Council. Today, thanks to Villiger’s vision, the UBS Center has helped the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich to become an international hub for top economic research and societal dialogue in Switzerland and beyond. Sergio P. Ermotti, UBS Group CEO: “With the founding of the UBS Center, Kaspar Villiger has put a clear vision into practice with great results. At the helm of the UBS Center, he demonstrated outstanding leadership and embodied the underlying idea with heart and mind, leveraging his extensive political and entrepreneurial experience and network for the center’s benefit. Kaspar Villiger steered the center with prudence and foresight and paved the way for a successor to continue this success story.”
A vision for the future
The UBS Center remains committed to advancing research, enhancing public dialogue, and applying academic insights to policy and business. With Mumenthaler’s leadership, the UBS Center is well positioned to pursue ambitious goals in alignment with the University of Zurich’s Department of Economics, driving research to address the pressing challenges of our time. “In fostering open dialogue between science and society, the UBS Center plays a pivotal role. I am excited to join this mission and help advance our shared goals for economic understanding and progress,” Mumenthaler stated.
The UBS Center for Economics in Society (UBS Center) at the University of Zurich announces a leadership change as Kaspar Villiger steps down as Chairman of the Foundation Council at the end of this year. Christian Mumenthaler, former Group CEO of Swiss Re, will assume the role as his successor effective 1 January 2025, bringing his vision and expertise to guide the UBS Center’s continued effort in building bridges between academia and the broader society.
Christian Mumenthaler, an industry leader with extensive experience at Swiss Re, brings a unique perspective to the UBS Center’s mission. His commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting a forward-thinking approach in the industry aligns seamlessly with the Center’s goals.
Economics for Society: Kaspar Villiger’s enduring legacy
The UBS Center for Economics in Society was founded in 2012 as an Associated Institute at the University of Zurich, made possible by UBS’s 100 million Swiss franc donation on its 150th anniversary. Initiated by Kaspar Villiger, then Chairman of UBS, this generous contribution was part of a broader educational initiative aimed at positioning Switzerland as a global leader in research and education. Villiger, along with UBS Group CEO Sergio P. Ermotti and Professor Ernst Fehr, established a foundation that bridges academia, business, and policy to address critical economic and social issues. Drawing on his experience as a Federal Council member, Villiger understood the importance of collaboration across sectors, fostering a unique platform for dialogue.
Kaspar Villiger, Chairman of the Foundation Council
Christian Mumenthaler, Designated Chairman of the Foundation Council
Quotes
Kaspar Villiger has been a remarkable leader, whose vision and dedication have been foundational in bringing together academia, business, and policy at the UBS Center. His legacy will inspire us for years to come.
Vice Chairman of the Foundation Council
Prof. Ernst Fehr
With the founding of the UBS Center, Kaspar Villiger has put a clear vision into practice with great results. At the helm of the UBS Center, he demonstrated outstanding leadership and embodied the underlying idea with heart and mind, leveraging his extensive political and entrepreneurial experience and network for the center’s benefit. Kaspar Villiger steered the center with prudence and foresight and paved the way for a successor to continue this success story.
UBS Group CEO
Sergio P. Ermotti
In fostering open dialogue between science and society, the UBS Center plays a pivotal role. I am excited to join this mission and help advance our shared goals for economic understanding and progress.
Designated Chairman of the Foundation Council
Christian Mumenthaler
Short bio
Christian Mumenthaler
Christian Mumenthaler is the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re, a position he held from 2016 until 2024. He holds a PhD in Physics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). In 1997, he started his career as an associate at Boston Consulting Group. He joined Swiss Re in 1999 and was responsible for key company projects. In 2002, he established and headed the Group Retro and Syndication unit. Christian Mumenthaler served as Group Chief Risk Officer between 2005 and 2007 and was Head of Life & Health between 2007 and 2010. In January 2011, he was appointed Chief Marketing Officer Reinsurance and a member of the Group Executive Committee and became Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance that October. In July 2016, Christian Mumenthaler was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer. Effective 1 January 2023, he additionally assumed the role of Chairman of the Swiss Re Strategic Council.
Christian Mumenthaler has been the Co-Chair of WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. He has been a board member of the Geneva Association and of economiesuisse and a member of the Pan-European Insurance Forum, the Global Reinsurance Forum, the Steering Committee of the Insurance Development Forum, Insurance Europe’s Reinsurance Advisory Board, and the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies and Avenir Suisse.
Christian Mumenthaler
Christian Mumenthaler is the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re, a position he held from 2016 until 2024. He holds a PhD in Physics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). In 1997, he started his career as an associate at Boston Consulting Group. He joined Swiss Re in 1999 and was responsible for key company projects. In 2002, he established and headed the Group Retro and Syndication unit. Christian Mumenthaler served as Group Chief Risk Officer between 2005 and 2007 and was Head of Life & Health between 2007 and 2010. In January 2011, he was appointed Chief Marketing Officer Reinsurance and a member of the Group Executive Committee and became Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance that October. In July 2016, Christian Mumenthaler was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer. Effective 1 January 2023, he additionally assumed the role of Chairman of the Swiss Re Strategic Council.
Christian Mumenthaler has been the Co-Chair of WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. He has been a board member of the Geneva Association and of economiesuisse and a member of the Pan-European Insurance Forum, the Global Reinsurance Forum, the Steering Committee of the Insurance Development Forum, Insurance Europe’s Reinsurance Advisory Board, and the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies and Avenir Suisse.
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