Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies
Dynamic times call for strong leadership
Now in its fifth year, the programme shines a spotlight on Switzerland’s most outstanding private businesses and the exceptional performance that drives them.
How the Best Managed Companies programme works
A three step process to uncover achievements and improvement potentials
The Best Managed Companies programme aims to find the best managed, privately owned companies in Switzerland. The programme evaluates your company’s management capabilities and practices and recognises overall business performance and growth. This is how the programme works.
Phase I - The online application
This first phase verifies eligibility and should only take 30 minutes with the information at hand. Applications for the Best Managed Companies programme 2025 are now open.
Phase II - The coaching process
Companies selected to move to Phase II are asked to complete a second, more detailed submission. You will be asked to describe how you develop strategy, demonstrate corporate strengths, excel in the marketplace, retain top talent and manage business risks. Questions align with the Best Managed programme’s four distinct pillars of evaluation: strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial.
During phase II, Deloitte will work with you on your approach to completing your submission, providing you with valuable coaching from some of Switzerland’s top business advisors. Even if your company is not among the ones, meeting the challenging benchmark, this is a great opportunity to gain insight and business expertise during the coaching process. Deadline for submission of Phase II is 30 April 2025.
Phase III - Celebration and networking
An independent jury will score the different companies based on the global Best Managed Companies framework criteria. They will be notified of their success in the course of May 2025. All companies recognized will be invited to celebrate their company’s success at the Best Managed Companies Gala event on 3 July 2025.
And even when the festivities are over, you will remain part of our global Best Managed Companies community of around 1,300 Best Managed Companies. You are encouraged to participate in national and global meetings on a diverse range of topics.
Throughout the process all submissions are confidential, and the programme is compliant with Deloitte’s privacy and confidentiality policies.
What’s so great about being one of the best?
There are obvious benefits to winning any award, but Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies programme offers some unique opportunities.
Who can apply
To enter the programme, the companies must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Privately held
- Turnover in excess of CHF 100mio. (not applicable for companies in the health care industry such as biotech, life science, medtech, dentaltech, and suppliers etc.)
- HQ or major decision centre in Switzerland (operations can be abroad)
- Compliant from legal, tax and ethical perspective
- Have a (financial) track record of at least three years
Could be:
- Privately owned Swiss company
- Swiss portfolio company controlled by private equity firms independent of latter’s domicile
The following organisations are ineligible:
Credit institutions, banks, insurance companies with equity shares traded at a regulated stock exchange at the time of initial acceptance to the programme, Swiss subsidiaries of foreign multinationals, government-owned entities/public sector agencies, charities and not-for-profit organisations and their affiliates and subsidiaries
In doubt, please contact us to support you along the process.
What it's like to become one of Switzerland's Best Managed Companies
Meet the sponsors
Recognising Swiss business excellence
Julius Baer is the leading Swiss wealth management group and a premium brand in this global sector, with a focus on servicing and advising sophisticated private clients. In all we do, we are inspired by our purpose: creating value beyond wealth. At the end of June 2021, assets under management amounted to CHF 486 billion. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the renowned Swiss private bank with origins dating back to 1890, is the principal operating company of Julius Baer Group Ltd., whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: BAER) and are included in the Swiss Leader Index (SLI), comprising the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks.
SIX Swiss Exchange is a leading European exchange, offering Swiss and international clients a comprehensive range of exchange services - listing, trading and post-trade solutions - from a single source. SIX Swiss Exchange is the third largest stock exchange in Europe in terms of free float market capitalisation and the fourth largest in terms of trading volume. It hosts 3 of the 5 highest capitalised companies in Europe, as well as a broad universe of bonds, ETFs, sponsored funds, ETPs and structured products. With Sparks - the new equity segment for small and medium-sized companies - SIX Swiss Exchange is also the ideal place to list when it comes to growing your SME.
WILLISHENRY is a Zurich-based marketing agency specializing in crafting powerful communication strategies for companies and entrepreneurs. We don’t just deliver content; we bring fresh ideas and inspiring messages that resonate with your audience and leave a lasting impact. In today’s competitive market, we make sure your brand stands out. With a results-driven approach, we set the strategic tone and, alongside our curated network of partners, bring your vision to life—whether through pitch decks, websites, events, social media strategies, podcasts, video content, advertising, and much more.
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Meet the jury
Dr. med. Katharina Gasser
Dr. med. Katharina Gasser studied medicine and gained practical experience as a physician in the fields of internal medicine and geriatrics. She then transitioned to the healthcare industry, where she held various leadership positions at several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in both the Swiss and global contexts over many years. Since September 2022, Dr. med. Katharina Gasser has taken on the role of General Manager at Roche Pharma Switzerland. She is characterised by a strong commitment to digitalisation in healthcare. Additionally, Katharina Gasser holds leadership roles in business associations, including serving as the President of the Zug Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Zurich Chamber of Commerce.
Thorsten Hartmann
Thorsten Hartmann has been Branch Manager of Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. in Basel since 1 February 2022. Prior to that, he worked for over 17 years in various roles at Credit Suisse (AG), most recently as Head of Private Banking (HNWI) in Northwestern Switzerland. Thorsten Hartmann holds a master's degree from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU).
Prof. Dr. Thomas Straub
Professor of International Management at the Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM), University of Geneva, Switzerland. He is the co-director of the Master of Science in Responsible Management and teaches Corporate Strategy and Change Management. He is a permanent Visiting Professor and Chairman of the International Scientific Committee at the UNESCO department of the University of Bucharest, Romania and is a permanent Visiting Professor at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland. He leads R&D projects at national and international level (e.g. Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Swiss Development Agency - SDC).
Tanja Vainio
Tanja Vainio is Country President for Schneider Electric Switzerland and part of Schneider Electric’s DACH executive management team since March 2022. Ms Vainio also serves as Member of the Board of Directors at Franke Group as well as Aspen Organization Central Eastern Europe. Tanja Vainio has more than 20 years’ Industry experience. She joined Schneider Electric from ABB, where she held various local and global leadership roles with increasing responsibility, most recently as Managing Director Business Line Automotive Supply Chain at Robotics & Discrete Automation Business. Ms Vainio holds a Master of Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) & Tampere University of Technology, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from MIT.
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