Helvetica strengthens its corporate governance

Increased focus on sustainability within the Board of Directors
As of November 1, 2021, Franziska Blindow-Prettl will join the Board of Directors, replacing Hans R. Holdener who will assume the role of CEO of the fund management company effective November.

Mrs. Blindow-Prettl is co-founder and CEO of Planet Power Finance AG, an investor in innovative companies along the green hydrogen value chain as well as green hydrogen projects globally. She is founder of PRETTL Impact Investing and has 25 years of experience in private equity, hedge funds, alternative investments as well as impact investing. From 2001 to 2006 she was Global Head of New Product Development at EIM, one of the world's first hedge funds. In the 9 years after, she held various roles at LGT Capital Partners, most recently as Head of LGT Family Office. Franziska Blindow-Prettl holds a Dr. oec. HSG from the University of St. Gallen and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the same institution.

"In Mrs. Blindow-Prettl, we have gained a proven finance and sustainability specialist who optimally complements our company with her expertise. Alongside the general growth strategy, the focus of the new corporate governance will lie on the company's sustainability strategy", says Hans Ueli Keller, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Executive Board significantly strengthened
The Executive Board will be expanded by Salman Baday, Head Sales, and Lucas Schlageter, Head Asset Management, as of November 1. Salman Baday has extensive experience in institutional sales as well as in investment advisory. Lucas Schlageter has many years of experience in asset management in the real estate sector as well as the financial sector. As of November 1, the Executive Management will consist of Hans R. Holdener (CEO), Peter R. Vogel (CFO), Salman Baday (new Head Sales and Marketing) and Lucas Schlageter (new Head Portfolio Management). Peer Kocur (Head Investment Management) completes the governance as a member of the extended Executive Board.

"I am extremely pleased that Salman Baday and Lucas Schlageter are joining the Executive Board. With the strengthened leadership, we will successfully continue our growth strategy as well as the expansion of our investment products", comments Hans R. Holdener.