The Best Managed Companies programme is designed to recognize the overall success of strong private companies. Eligible private companies apply online and are evaluated based on four key performance indicators: strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial. An independent panel of judges will select the Best Managed Companies to be recognized.
2. What makes Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies programme unique?
It focuses on Swiss privately owned and managed companies
Recognizes overall business performance and sustained growth
Recognizes the entire organization
Measures more than financial performance
Gives insights into best practices, which are shared during the coaching process
3. How does a company apply to be one of Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies?
To be considered a Best Managed Company, you have to meet our criteria and go through the three-phase application process. Please find the detailed roadmap here.
4. What are the application criteria?
The criteria we use for the programme are lined out here.
5. What’s the timeline for the programme?
The programme generally kicks off annually in the late summer. Applications will be accepted at that time and the process will generally flow as follows (dates may shift slightly year on year):
Applications for the Best Managed Companies programme 2025 will open on 1 October 2024
Deadline for submission of Phase II is 28 March 2025
They will be notified of their success in the course of April 2025
Best Managed Companies Gala event on 3 July 2025
6. Who selects the companies recognized as Best Managed?
An external panel of third parties selects the companies to be recognized as best managed; Deloitte does not participate in the selection process. The programme does not have a specified number of winners each year.
7. Can a company get recognized as Best Managed more than once?
Yes. Applicants recognized as Best Managed Companies have the opportunity to requalify after their initial recognition, subject to annual and operational and financial review. Requalifying companies retain all of the benefits of being a recognized Best Managed Company and have the opportunity to work towards the prestigious Gold status (4 years as a Best Managed) & Platinum status (7 years as a Best Managed), leading to more media coverage and encouraging continued commitment from staff and stakeholders.
8. What are the evaluation criteria and how does the evaluation phase of the programme work?
The judging panel will examine companies under the four pillars of strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial.
9. Are there any costs attached to applying for the Best Managed Companies programme?
No, all we ask for is a little of your time.
10. Will my company’s financial information become public?
No. The confidentiality of your financial information is vital to the integrity and continued success of the programme. Only your coaches that work directly with you and the judging panel will have access.
11. What is the privacy policy that relates to handling of company information?
The Best Managed Companies programme was established in 1993 in Canada and has become the most significant business award of its kind. The programme is active in 40+ countries across the Americas, Europe and Australasia.
Code of Conduct
The Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies programme aims to inspire, celebrate and build a community of private businesses that are creating a better future. A leading business awards programme, recognising excellence in private Swiss-owned companies, it celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, determination and innovation of the private business community.
The following four commitments illustrate the programme’s core expectations of winning companies:
1. Integrity
As a Best Managed company, we will act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity towards our customers, employees, vendors and stakeholders.
Best Managed companies are truthful and honest about the business information provided to the Best Managed programme:
Best Managed companies must abide by Swiss law
Best Managed candidates will not exert undue influence upon programme coaches, sponsors, or judges
Best Managed companies must update any change in business affecting their designation (ownership, financial, legal) when re-qualifying year over year
Treat interactions with programme sponsors, partners and their staff with the same honesty and integrity that you would apply within your own organisation.
2. Foster diversity, equity and inclusion
All Best Managed companies have a role to play in helping Switzerland on the path to a more inclusive environment. As a member of this community, we foster a culture and working environment where people treat each other with respect, courtesy and fairness, promoting equal opportunity for all.
Actively build an anti-racist capability to start making intentional changes within your organisation
Embed gender and diversity-smart approaches into recruitment & development, including performance management, promotion, succession and pay processes
Create and support cultural awareness programmes and learnings for all employees
Implement employee assistance programmes related to diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility so employees can feel comfortable and bring their whole selves to work
Provide DE&I training for all members of the organisation
Provide flexible and accessible work arrangements and remote work opportunities where applicable
3. Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
As a Best Managed company, we commit to upholding quality among the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities and Innovation, Culture and Commitment, Governance and Financials), and the programme brand standards and identity.
Upholding brand standards
The Best Managed designation represents 29 years of strong global best managed companies that are the economic engines of their countries. The brand is a result of the outstanding companies in the programme and is recognised all around the world. As a Best Managed company, we agree to uphold this brand legacy and follow brand and logo guidelines, for the Swiss community of Best Managed companies
Uphold programme brand standards consistent with the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, Governance & Financials)
Proper use of current logo by awarded entity (see ‘Logo use with affiliated companies’).
Proper use of designation naming convention – “Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies”
Logo use permitted for duration of programme year. Must be removed immediately should the company chose not to re-apply, or become ineligible
Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
Continuously evolve and improve upon your strategy
Drive a culture of innovation and productivity
Foster a purpose-led culture
Put your customers and employees first
Drive year over year revenue growth through strong strategy, governance and operational efficiency
4. Best Managed community role model
We commit to participate in the Best Managed community through programme activities & events, while treating all members with dignity and respect. We also commit to be a respectable citizen within society and doing our part to build a positive future for Switzerland’s economy.
Participate in Best Managed programming and events
Act as a mentor to new members of the Best Managed community
Engage in social media conversation with Best Managed community (#BestManaged)
Act as a Best Managed brand ambassador, abiding by the terms under ‘Upholding brand standards’
Contribute to Best Managed objective of ‘making all businesses better’ by participating in research (i.e., surveys, case studies), panels and speaking opportunities
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.
Our Deloitte Private specialists advise private companies and family businesses, as well as entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals. We help to address the unique challenges faced throughout the business lifecycle, and unlock potential for growth and innovation.
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Meet the jury
Jens Breu
CEO of the SFS Group since 2016 and member of the board of Dätwyler since 2019. Having an engineering background, he has joined SFS in 1995 and since took on various management functions in the organization. Among others, as COO 2014-15 he was part of the SFS IPO team.
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.
