Sergio Ermotti and Walter Frey inducted into the Swiss Business Hall of Fame
The business magazine BILANZ has inducted UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti and Walter Frey, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emil Frey AG, into the Swiss Business Hall of Fame. With this annual award, the magazine honors individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievements, sustained success, and influential leadership. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday evening in the festive setting of the Petit Palais at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich.
Former Federal Councilor Kaspar Villiger gave the laudatory speech for Sergio Ermotti. He praised Ermotti as a leader who «convincingly guided the complex integration of Credit Suisse into UBS.» Villiger particularly emphasized Ermotti's leadership, which is based on trust, a sense of responsibility, and a consistently practiced corporate culture, and highlighted his clear, ethical, and reliable manner.
Federal Councilor Albert Rösti honored entrepreneur Walter Frey, who «revolutionized car imports in Switzerland» with his Emil Frey Group. Despite the size of the company, which has around 26,000 employees, it has remained a discreet family business. He described Frey as «the ideal embodiment of Swiss entrepreneurship and the militia principle: cosmopolitan and at the same time deeply rooted in his homeland.».
In his acceptance speech, Walter Frey emphasized Switzerland's strengths as a business location: «Switzerland has its feet firmly on the ground.» He said that this was partly down to luck, but above all to the hard work of those who had created a stable foundation for us. He said he was particularly optimistic about the next generation: «When I see our apprentices and what they are achieving, I am convinced that Switzerland has a bright future.»
Sergio Ermotti spoke about his personal motivation. «For me, a glass is not half full – it is always full.» With regard to speculation about a possible move to the chairmanship of the board of directors, he emphasized that his mission at UBS was not yet complete. «I will finish my job first – only then will I consider a change.»
Top-class jury
The award is decided by a jury of prominent representatives from Swiss business and politics, including former Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard, Patrick Odier (Lombard Odier), Martin Naville, Bjørn Johansson, Barbara Rigassi-Schneeberger, and Dirk Schütz (BILANZ). The companies are assessed on their long-term performance, internal and external leadership, sustainable economic practices, and credibility in their public image.
Around 100 leaders attended the third Award Night. Previous winners include WEF founder Klaus Schwab, ABB Chairman Peter Voser, former Nestlé Chairman Paul Bulcke, and entrepreneur Peter Spuhler.
