The Government Council of the Canton St.Gallen has chosen Zeno Staub as President of the University Council of the University of St. Gallen (HSG). The election still requires confirmation by the Cantonal Council during the spring session, though this is considered a mere formality.

The University Council is the supreme body of the HSG. In particular, it is responsible for strategic management and the implementation of the ownership strategy and the performance mandate.

Prevailed Against other Candidates

«With the support of an external consultancy, the election comittee contacted potential candidates for the challenging task of the presidency,» writes the cantonal covernment in a statement.

Staub prevailed over other candidates in the «structured» selection process. «He has many years of management experience in the business world as a member of the Executive Board and CEO of the listed private bank Vontobel.»

Regional Roots, International Leadership Aspirations

Zeno Staub also has experience in administration and on boards of trustees. He grew up in the canton of St.Gallen, studied and completed his doctorate at the University of St.Gallen and has always remained associated with the HSG.

Staub is eager to support the HSG's renowned «prctice-oriented teaching and research». He highlights its «regional anchoring with an internationally leading performance claim» and looks forward to taking on this new role.

Board Candidate at Vontobel

After 22 years at Vontobel, Staub stepped down from his position of CEO at the Annual General Meetin in April 2024 and currently chairs the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft (AWG) of the Cnaton of Zurich, an association close to the center party.

He will stand as a candidate for the bank's Board of Directors at the Vontobel Annual General Meeting on April 2, 2025.