Cantonal Council elects new HSG Board of Governors

In 2023, the Cantonal Parliament passed the new University Act. It stipulated that the University of St.Gallen's (HSG) Board of Governors should consist of ten members from the fields of science, business and society, as well as one member of the Cantonal Council. In line with public corporate governance, the focus is on professional leadership not influenced by party political interests.

Cantonal councillor Bettina Surber, head of the Department of Education, was already elected as a member of the Board of Governors at the constituent meeting on 7 May 2024. The canton has now publicly advertised the remaining nine seats on the new Board of Governors for the first time. More than 120 applications were received. The existing members of the Board of Governors were informed about the election procedure and had the opportunity to re-apply. There was no right of re-election.

Zeno Staub is the new President of the Board of Governors

The Cantonal Council has now elected the members of this strategic governing body for the shortened term of office of 2025/2028, with the new members assuming office on 1 June 2025.

• Zeno Staub, president, Zurich, new
• Jochen Decker, Bern, new
• Susanne Driessen, St.Gallen, new
• Peter Mathias Fischer, Zurich, new
• Andreas R. Kirchschläger, Rapperswil-Jona, current
• Christoph Loos, Schaan (FL), new
• Regula Mosberger, Buchs, current
• René Rausenberger, Feldmeilen, new
• Yvonne Suter, Rapperswil-Jona, previously
• Michael Götte, Tübach, previously

The election of the Board of Governors and the Presiding Board will be submitted to the Cantonal Parliament for approval in the spring session of 2025.

Presiding Board of the Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is HSG's highest governing body. It is responsible in particular for the University's strategic management and for implementing the owner's strategy and the performance mandate. With the support of an external consultancy, the election committee contacted potential candidates for the demanding task of the presidency in a targeted manner.

Zeno Staub has many years of management experience in the business world as a member of the executive board and CEO of the listed private bank Vontobel. In addition, Zeno Staub has experience on boards of directors and boards of trustees. He grew up in the Canton of St.Gallen, lived in Eastern Switzerland until he graduated from university and studied and completed a doctorate at the University of St.Gallen. He has always maintained close ties with the University of St.Gallen, but has the necessary independence for the role. The Cantonal Council is confident that he is the perfect fit for the extensive requirements profile.

“Thanks to practice-oriented teaching and research, HSG combines its regional engagement with a leading international standard of performance. I look forward to working together with the Board of Governors and in close cooperation with the President's Board on this demanding task. I am grateful for the trust placed in me,” comments Zeno Staub on his election.