Silvan Wildhaber to become the new President of Economiesuisse
The Executive Committee of Economiesuisse unanimously proposes Silvan Wildhaber as the new President. The 48-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of the St. Gallen textile company Filtex will take over in September from Christoph Mäder, who is stepping down after six years at the helm of the umbrella organization of the Swiss economy.
After six years at the helm of the Swiss Business Federation, Christoph Mäder has decided to hand over the office of President at the end of his term of office in September. At its meeting on February 12, the Board Committee considered the proposal of the appointed search committee and unanimously recommended that the Board elect Silvan Wildhaber as the new President. The election of the new President will take place at the next Board meeting in March. He will take office in mid-September on the occasion of the Business Day.
Christoph Mäder comments on the Board Committee's proposal as follows: «I am very pleased about the nomination of Silvan Wildhaber as his successor. He has the best qualifications to successfully lead and further develop Economiesuisse in the coming years.»
An entrepreneur at the head of the umbrella organization
In Silvan Wildhaber, the Board Committee is proposing a strong entrepreneurial personality for election. The 48-year-old Wildhaber has been CEO of the St. Gallen textile company Filtex since 2012 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the parent company Emil Anderegg. Founded in 1919, the family business Filtex exports exclusive textiles and embroidery worldwide. Wildhaber studied business administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and worked at the former Credit Suisse before joining the family SME in 2006. Wildhaber lives in the city of Zurich, is married and has two children.
Silvan Wildhaber has been a representative of Swiss Textiles on the Board of Economiesuisse since 2014 and has first-hand knowledge of the relevant economic policy dossiers. In 2021, he was also elected to the Board of the Swiss Employers« Association. »I am extremely pleased with the trust that the Board Committee of Economiesuisse has placed in me,« says Silvan Wildhaber following his nomination. »I want to make the political concerns of Swiss companies and their employees understandable and win the hearts and minds of people in Switzerland for them,« says Wildhaber, adding: »As an entrepreneur, I know that we can only move forward together. That's why it's important to me to build bridges and move Switzerland forward together."
