Julius Baer Group has announced that Richard Campbell-Breeden will not seek re-election to the Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting and will step down from his role as Vice Chairman. He will be succeeded by Juerg Hunziker, subject to shareholder re-election. The company also announced that Urban Angehrn has agreed to join the Board as an independent non-executive Director from the 2026 AGM, pending shareholder approval.
These changes represent a significant transition in the leadership of Switzerland's leading independent wealth management group, which manages CHF 521 billion in assets. The board reshuffle comes at a critical time for the financial services industry, particularly in Switzerland, which remains a key growth market for Julius Baer. The appointments ensure continued senior representation within Switzerland, where the business is headquartered, and strengthen the board's oversight capabilities.
Sir Noel Quinn, Chairman of the Board of Directors, acknowledged Campbell-Breeden's contributions over eight years, particularly his leadership since becoming Vice Chairman in February 2024. "Richard led the process to recruit a new CEO and Chairman of Julius Baer. Having successfully completed both additions and ensured a smooth transition, he has now decided that it is the right time for him to step down," Quinn stated. Campbell-Breeden's departure marks the completion of a leadership transition phase for the company.
Juerg Hunziker brings 40 years of technology and financial services knowledge to the Vice Chairman role, with both international and Swiss market experience. Quinn noted Hunziker's background as a CEO building customer-focused organizations makes him "an excellent candidate for Vice Chairman." This appointment maintains the board's permanent senior representation in Switzerland, crucial for a company that derives significant business from its home market while operating globally through approximately 25 countries and 60 locations.
The addition of Urban Angehrn brings substantial regulatory and risk management expertise to the board. Angehrn has over 30 years of financial services experience in Switzerland, including serving as CEO of FINMA (the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) and previously as a member of the Executive Committee and Group Chief Investment Officer of Zurich Insurance Group. Quinn emphasized that Angehrn's "extensive experience in investment management and risk management within large and complex organizations, along with a great understanding of global financial markets, regulation, and corporate governance" will strengthen board oversight.
These board changes matter because they occur at a pivotal moment for wealth management firms navigating complex regulatory environments, market volatility, and evolving client expectations. The appointments signal Julius Baer's commitment to maintaining strong governance and Swiss market expertise while adapting to industry challenges. For clients and investors, stable and experienced board leadership is essential for long-term strategy execution and risk management in the wealth management sector.
The implications extend beyond Julius Baer to the broader Swiss financial services industry, where governance and regulatory expertise are increasingly valuable. Angehrn's FINMA background provides unique insight into regulatory compliance at a time when financial institutions face heightened scrutiny. Further details on board and committee composition will be provided in the AGM circular to be published in March. For more information about Julius Baer, visit https://www.juliusbaer.com.
