Mirjam Staub-Bisang appointed new Chair of the Board of Directors at SIFEM
Bern, 14.01.2026 — At its meeting on 14 January, the Federal Council decided that Mirjam Staub-Bisang will become Chair of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets on 1 June of this year. She succeeds Jörg Frieden, who is stepping down at the end of May.
Ms Staub-Bisang has many years of experience in strategic management and sustainable investing. She is currently Chair of BlackRock Switzerland, where she was previously Country Head. She also serves on various administrative and investment committees, including as a board member of Swiss Sustainable Finance and the Asset Management Association Switzerland, as a member of the investment committee of the UK's development finance institution British International Investment, and as a trustee of the World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders. In addition to her proven expertise, she brings with her a broad network in the national and international financial sector.
The Federal Council is convinced that Ms Staub-Bisang’s extensive management experience, strategic expertise and network in the financial sector will enable her to successfully guide SIFEM through the upcoming organisational and strategic developments. Ms Staub-Bisang’s election as the new Chair of the Board of Directors will be formally confirmed at SIFEM’s Annual General Meeting on 5 May, and she will take up her position on 1 June.
Mr Frieden has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIFEM since 2018 and has performed this role with great commitment and strategic foresight. He will hand over the role at the end of May as part of a planned succession process. The Federal Council would like to thank Mr Frieden for his valuable service to SIFEM, in particular his prudent leadership during SIFEM’s organisational development, which enabled strong growth in the investment portfolio and strengthened impact measurement.
SIFEM (Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets) is the Swiss Confederation’s development finance institution. It invests in high-growth, sustainable companies in developing and emerging countries. In doing so, it makes an important contribution to the creation of decent jobs, shared prosperity, poverty reduction and sustainable and inclusive economic development in partner countries.
SIFEM’s investment volume has grown to over USD 1 billion in active commitments in recent years. At the same time, mobilising private capital is becoming increasingly important in view of limited public funds. This dynamic development requires further development of governance and strategic orientation.