CEO Succession in Summer 2026

Peter Voser, President of the Board of Trustees, stated: “The Board of Trustees of the St.
Gallen Symposium conducted the succession process in a structured and thorough manner.
Following an in-depth evaluation, we are confident that, with Dr. Gunnar Hauptmann, we have
identified an excellent internal successor. He will build on the successful work and strong
foundation established in the last years and further respond to the growing global need for
dialogue across generations. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Beat Ulrich for
his tireless commitment and passion over the past nine years and wish him all the best for the
future.”

Since 2017, Beat Ulrich has led the St. Gallen Symposium, shaping the initiative’s
internationalization, the strategic developmentof its global cross-generational
dialogue, as well as its regional anchoring and general openness. After nine enriching
years, he has decided to take on a new professional challenge starting in the summer of
2026. Until then, he looks forward to continuing the current mission with a dedicated team
toward a successful 55th St. Gallen Symposium.

Dr. Gunnar Hauptmann, an HSG alumnus, has been a member of the Executive
Management of the St. Gallen Symposium since 2020, serving as Head of Programme. In
this role, he has been instrumental in strategically expanding the Symposium’s network of
speakers. Since 2024, he has also served as Deputy CEO. He looks forward to continuing
the more than 55-year tradition of the St. Gallen Symposium and to guiding the initiative
responsibly into the future, building on its strong legacy.

The St. Gallen Symposium would like to thank all supporters, partners, colleagues, and
friends for their ongoing engagement and collaboration over the past years. We look forward
to continuing to offer, year after year, a unique international experience, impactful projects,
and meaningful dialogue to a committed International Students’ Committee and all
participants and stakeholders — in and for St. Gallen and Switzerland. Especially in today’s
times, we consider this mission more important than ever.