Deloitte Switzerland names Reto Savoia as new CEO

Reto Savoia has been elected as and will be appointed Chief Executive of Deloitte Switzerland, effective 1 June 2019. He will succeed Simon Owen who has been serving as CEO since early 2016. Reto is currently Deputy CEO and Managing Partner, Clients & Industries, and has been working alongside Simon and his Executive on transforming and growing Deloitte’s Advisory and Audit businesses in the Swiss market.

A Swiss national, Reto has more than 20 years of experience in the Swiss and international professional services industry. He joined Deloitte Switzerland in 2005 to lead the firm’s M&A tax team. In 2011, Reto was named Managing Partner, Tax & Legal, and joined the firm’s Executive team. During the five years in this role, Reto significantly transformed, shaped and grew Deloitte’s tax advisory business. In early 2016, he was appointed Deputy CEO and Managing Partner, Clients & Industries, leading the firm’s strong expansion in the Swiss market and connecting Deloitte’s capabilities with its clients to help solve their complex issues. Reto currently also serves as a member of the Deloitte North West Europe (NWE) Board and represents the firm in various business associations including economiesuisse and ExpertSuisse. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and law from the University of St. Gallen.

“It is an honour to become CEO of Deloitte Switzerland, and I am very excited about the potential of our business here in Switzerland. We have incredible people, very innovative service offerings and a strong portfolio of global and national clients. Organisations are increasingly turning to Deloitte to help them navigate change and transform themselves in a business landscape marked by digital disruption, regulatory complexity and global market volatility. I am confident that our multi-disciplinary business model will remain a source of competitive strength,” says Reto Savoia. Reto will also join Deloitte’s North West Europe Executive on 1 June 2019.

Deloitte is a leading professional services firm in Switzerland, helping organisations across all industries solve their most complex challenges. In the financial year 2018,^[1]Deloitte Switzerland continued its exceptional growth path increasing its net revenue^[2] by 8.2% to CHF 475 million and employing nearly 2,000 people. The firm’s Audit & Assurance, Consulting, Financial Advisory, Risk Advisory and Tax & Legal business areas all contributed to the strong performance.

Simon Owen says, “I am truly delighted for Reto as he looks to replace me as our Swiss CEO in the summer. Over the past years, we have worked very closely together on executing our strategy to be the best professional services firm in Switzerland and as I look to conclude my tenure, I am convinced our Swiss business is in the best hands to ensure its continued success in both our Audit and Advisory businesses.”

Richard Houston, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Elect of Deloitte North West Europe, says: “Switzerland is a key market not only for NWE but Deloitte’s global network as a whole, and we are committed to further grow the impact we are having here on our clients, people and society. With clear support from local partners and people, Reto has strong leadership attributes, a distinct market profile and a track record of success, and we are confident he is the right person to lead Deloitte Switzerland.”

^[1] The Deloitte financial year 2018 ended 31 May 2018.

^[2] This figure reflects Deloitte Switzerland’s revenues generated by the Swiss-based staff. Net revenue is total revenue excluding services rendered by partners and employees of other Deloitte practices abroad (CHF 152m in FY18) and expenses (CHF 56m).