Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies
Dynamic times call for strong leadershipNow in it's third year, the programme shines a spotlight on Switzerland’s most outstanding private businesses and the exceptional performance that drives them.
Become one of the Best Managed Companies 2025
Apply now2025 timeline
What it's like to become one of Switzerland's Best Managed Companies
How the Best Managed Companies programme works
A three step process to uncover achievements and improvement potentials
The Best Managed Companies programme aims to find the best managed, privately owned companies in Switzerland. The programme evaluates your company’s management capabilities and practices and recognises overall business performance and growth. This is how the programme works.
This first phase verifies eligibility and should only take 30 minutes with the information at hand. Applications for the Best Managed Companies programme 2025 are now open.
Companies selected to move to Phase II are asked to complete a second, more detailed submission. You will be asked to describe how you develop strategy, demonstrate corporate strengths, excel in the marketplace, retain top talent and manage business risks. Questions align with the Best Managed programme’s four distinct pillars of evaluation: strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial.
During phase II, Deloitte will work with you on your approach to completing your submission, providing you with valuable coaching from some of Switzerland’s top business advisors. Even if your company is not among the ones, meeting the challenging benchmark, this is a great opportunity to gain insight and business expertise during the coaching process. Deadline for submission of Phase II is 30 April 2025.
An independent jury will score the different companies based on the global Best Managed Companies framework criteria. They will be notified of their success in the course of May 2025. All companies recognized will be invited to celebrate their company’s success at the Best Managed Companies Gala event on 3 July 2025.
And even when the festivities are over, you will remain part of our global Best Managed Companies community of around 1,300 Best Managed Companies. You are encouraged to participate in national and global meetings on a diverse range of topics.
Throughout the process all submissions are confidential, and the programme is compliant with Deloitte’s privacy and confidentiality policies.
What’s so great about being one of the best?
Key benefits
There are obvious benefits to winning any award, but Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies programme offers some unique opportunities.
Valuable insights
Benchmarking
Foundations for future success
The benefit of being recognised as Best Managed Company
All the benefits of applying, plus more in store for being recognised as one of the Best Managed:
Reputational boost
Network
Celebrate
Who can apply
To enter the programme, the companies must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Privately held
- Turnover in excess of CHF 100mio. (not applicable for companies in the health care industry such as biotech, life science, medtech, dentaltech, and suppliers etc.)
- HQ or major decision centre in Switzerland (operations can be abroad)
- Compliant from legal, tax and ethical perspective
- Have a (financial) track record of at least three years
Could be:
- Privately owned Swiss company
- Swiss portfolio company controlled by private equity firms independent of latter’s domicile
The following organisations are ineligible:
Credit institutions, banks, insurance companies with equity shares traded at a regulated stock exchange at the time of initial acceptance to the programme, Swiss subsidiaries of foreign multinationals, government-owned entities/public sector agencies, charities and not-for-profit organisations and their affiliates and subsidiaries
In doubt, please contact us to support you along the process.
Meet the sponsors
Recognising Swiss business excellence
Frequently Asked Questions
All your questions answered
The Best Managed Companies programme is designed to recognize the overall success of strong private companies. Eligible private companies apply online and are evaluated based on four key performance indicators: strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial. An independent panel of judges will select the Best Managed Companies to be recognized.
- It focuses on Swiss privately owned and managed companies
- Recognizes overall business performance and sustained growth
- Recognizes the entire organization
- Measures more than financial performance
- Gives insights into best practices, which are shared during the coaching process
To be considered a Best Managed Company, you have to meet our criteria and go through the three-phase application process. Please find the detailed roadmap here.
The criteria we use for the programme are lined out here.
The programme generally kicks off annually in the late summer. Applications will be accepted at that time and the process will generally flow as follows (dates may shift slightly year on year):
- Applications for the Best Managed Companies programme 2025 will open on 1 October 2024
- Deadline for submission of Phase II is 30 April 2025
- They will be notified of their success in the course of May 2025
- Best Managed Companies Gala event on 3 July 2025
An external panel of third parties selects the companies to be recognized as best managed; Deloitte does not participate in the selection process. The programme does not have a specified number of winners each year.
Yes. Applicants recognized as Best Managed Companies have the opportunity to requalify after their initial recognition, subject to annual and operational and financial review. Requalifying companies retain all of the benefits of being a recognized Best Managed Company and have the opportunity to work towards the prestigious Gold status (4 years as a Best Managed) & Platinum status (7 years as a Best Managed), leading to more media coverage and encouraging continued commitment from staff and stakeholders.
The judging panel will examine companies under the four pillars of strategy, capabilities, commitment and financial.
No, all we ask for is a little of your time.
No. The confidentiality of your financial information is vital to the integrity and continued success of the programme. Only your coaches that work directly with you and the judging panel will have access.
All submissions are confidential and the programme is compliant with Deloitte's strict privacy and confidentiality policies.
The Best Managed Companies programme was established in 1993 in Canada. It is currently active in more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Australasia.
Code of Conduct
The Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies programme aims to inspire, celebrate and build a community of private businesses that are creating a better future. A leading business awards programme, recognising excellence in private Swiss-owned companies, it celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, determination and innovation of the private business community.
The following four commitments illustrate the programme’s core expectations of winning companies:
1. Integrity
As a Best Managed company, we will act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity towards our customers, employees, vendors and stakeholders.
Best Managed companies are truthful and honest about the business information provided to the Best Managed programme:
- Best Managed companies must abide by Swiss law
- Best Managed candidates will not exert undue influence upon programme coaches, sponsors, or judges
- Best Managed companies must update any change in business affecting their designation (ownership, financial, legal) when re-qualifying year over year
Treat interactions with programme sponsors, partners and their staff with the same honesty and integrity that you would apply within your own organisation.
2. Foster diversity, equity and inclusion
All Best Managed companies have a role to play in helping Switzerland on the path to a more inclusive environment. As a member of this community, we foster a culture and working environment where people treat each other with respect, courtesy and fairness, promoting equal opportunity for all.
- Actively build an anti-racist capability to start making intentional changes within your organisation
- Embed gender and diversity-smart approaches into recruitment & development, including performance management, promotion, succession and pay processes
- Create and support cultural awareness programmes and learnings for all employees
- Implement employee assistance programmes related to diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility so employees can feel comfortable and bring their whole selves to work
- Provide DE&I training for all members of the organisation
- Provide flexible and accessible work arrangements and remote work opportunities where applicable
3. Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
As a Best Managed company, we commit to upholding quality among the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities and Innovation, Culture and Commitment, Governance and Financials), and the programme brand standards and identity.
Upholding brand standards
- The Best Managed designation represents 29 years of strong global best managed companies that are the economic engines of their countries. The brand is a result of the outstanding companies in the programme and is recognised all around the world. As a Best Managed company, we agree to uphold this brand legacy and follow brand and logo guidelines, for the Swiss community of Best Managed companies
- Uphold programme brand standards consistent with the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, Governance & Financials)
- Proper use of current logo by awarded entity (see ‘Logo use with affiliated companies’).
- Proper use of designation naming convention – “Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies”
- Logo use permitted for duration of programme year. Must be removed immediately should the company chose not to re-apply, or become ineligible
Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
- Continuously evolve and improve upon your strategy
- Drive a culture of innovation and productivity
- Foster a purpose-led culture
- Put your customers and employees first
- Drive year over year revenue growth through strong strategy, governance and operational efficiency
4. Best Managed community role model
We commit to participate in the Best Managed community through programme activities & events, while treating all members with dignity and respect. We also commit to be a respectable citizen within society and doing our part to build a positive future for Switzerland’s economy.
- Participate in Best Managed programming and events
- Act as a mentor to new members of the Best Managed community
- Engage in social media conversation with Best Managed community (#BestManaged)
- Act as a Best Managed brand ambassador, abiding by the terms under ‘Upholding brand standards’
- Contribute to Best Managed objective of ‘making all businesses better’ by participating in research (i.e., surveys, case studies), panels and speaking opportunities
1. Integrity
As a Best Managed company, we will act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity towards our customers, employees, vendors and stakeholders.
Best Managed companies are truthful and honest about the business information provided to the Best Managed programme:
- Best Managed companies must abide by Swiss law
- Best Managed candidates will not exert undue influence upon programme coaches, sponsors, or judges
- Best Managed companies must update any change in business affecting their designation (ownership, financial, legal) when re-qualifying year over year
Treat interactions with programme sponsors, partners and their staff with the same honesty and integrity that you would apply within your own organisation.
2. Foster diversity, equity and inclusion
All Best Managed companies have a role to play in helping Switzerland on the path to a more inclusive environment. As a member of this community, we foster a culture and working environment where people treat each other with respect, courtesy and fairness, promoting equal opportunity for all.
- Actively build an anti-racist capability to start making intentional changes within your organisation
- Embed gender and diversity-smart approaches into recruitment & development, including performance management, promotion, succession and pay processes
- Create and support cultural awareness programmes and learnings for all employees
- Implement employee assistance programmes related to diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility so employees can feel comfortable and bring their whole selves to work
- Provide DE&I training for all members of the organisation
- Provide flexible and accessible work arrangements and remote work opportunities where applicable
3. Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
As a Best Managed company, we commit to upholding quality among the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities and Innovation, Culture and Commitment, Governance and Financials), and the programme brand standards and identity.
Upholding brand standards
- The Best Managed designation represents 29 years of strong global best managed companies that are the economic engines of their countries. The brand is a result of the outstanding companies in the programme and is recognised all around the world. As a Best Managed company, we agree to uphold this brand legacy and follow brand and logo guidelines, for the Swiss community of Best Managed companies
- Uphold programme brand standards consistent with the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, Governance & Financials)
- Proper use of current logo by awarded entity (see ‘Logo use with affiliated companies’).
- Proper use of designation naming convention – “Switzerland’s Best Managed Companies”
- Logo use permitted for duration of programme year. Must be removed immediately should the company chose not to re-apply, or become ineligible
Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
- Continuously evolve and improve upon your strategy
- Drive a culture of innovation and productivity
- Foster a purpose-led culture
- Put your customers and employees first
- Drive year over year revenue growth through strong strategy, governance and operational efficiency
4. Best Managed community role model
We commit to participate in the Best Managed community through programme activities & events, while treating all members with dignity and respect. We also commit to be a respectable citizen within society and doing our part to build a positive future for Switzerland’s economy.
- Participate in Best Managed programming and events
- Act as a mentor to new members of the Best Managed community
- Engage in social media conversation with Best Managed community (#BestManaged)
- Act as a Best Managed brand ambassador, abiding by the terms under ‘Upholding brand standards’
- Contribute to Best Managed objective of ‘making all businesses better’ by participating in research (i.e., surveys, case studies), panels and speaking opportunities
Programme brochure
Read more about the Best Managed Companies programme.
Contacts
Andreas Bodenmann
Audit & Assurance Partner
Paul de Blasi
Tax & Legal Partner