Urs Kessler is to be the new CEO of Jungfrau Railways. The present head of marketing and operations will take up his new role on 1.9.2008. On that date, current CEO and chairman of the management board Walter Steuri goes into retirement.
Urs Kessler was elected on Friday afternoon by the executive boards (EB) of the Jungfraubahn Holding AG and Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG. The companies, which are listed on the Stock-Exchange, together form Jungfrau Railways and employ some 700 staff, with a turnover of around CHF 150 million.
On Friday, Prof. Dr. Thomas Bieger, EB chairman of Jungfraubahn Management AG and Jungfraubahn Holding AG explained that with the election of Urs Kessler, Jungfrau Railways are focusing on continuity and international marketing experience.
The choice of an internal successor is in keeping with Jungfrau Railways tradition and offers advantages in people-oriented and regionally-anchored tourism. Walter Steuri was also appointed CEO from the internal position of head of finances.
Long-standing head of marketing and operations Kessler has been the head of marketing and operations of Jungfrau Railways since the founding of the Jungfraubahn Holding AG in 1994. He has played a decisive role in the successful development of new markets in Asia. Kessler is known nationwide as the person responsible for innovative events, including the SnowpenAir concerts and the Kick-Off to Euro 2008 on the Jungfraujoch.
With a Federal Diploma as Marketing Manager and a graduate of the Swiss Business Management Course (SKU), coupled with 21 years managerial experience in tourism and transport, Urs Kessler is considered by the members of the executive boards to be perfectly geared to his new position. Born on 27 January 1962, he is married and the father of two children. Growing up in Gsteigwiler and living in Wilderswil, his roots are firmly anchored in the Bernese Oberland.
Interesting assignment Urs Kessler and Thomas Bieger both agree that the function of the Jungfrau Railways CEO is the "most interesting assignment in Swiss tourism". Measured in terms of passenger-traffic revenue, Jungfrau Railways is the third largest railway group in Switzerland after the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the Bern-
Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS) Railway.
At the same time, with 84% of visitors to the Jungfraujoch coming from abroad, the Jungfrau Railway is one of Switzerland’s top international tourism providers. With the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, it owns Switzerland’s most attractive international brand and is an essential partner of JUNGFRAU Winter, the fifth-largest ski region in Switzerland.
Urs Kessler was elected on Friday afternoon by the executive boards (EB) of the Jungfraubahn Holding AG and Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG. The companies, which are listed on the Stock-Exchange, together form Jungfrau Railways and employ some 700 staff, with a turnover of around CHF 150 million.
On Friday, Prof. Dr. Thomas Bieger, EB chairman of Jungfraubahn Management AG and Jungfraubahn Holding AG explained that with the election of Urs Kessler, Jungfrau Railways are focusing on continuity and international marketing experience.
The choice of an internal successor is in keeping with Jungfrau Railways tradition and offers advantages in people-oriented and regionally-anchored tourism. Walter Steuri was also appointed CEO from the internal position of head of finances.
Long-standing head of marketing and operations Kessler has been the head of marketing and operations of Jungfrau Railways since the founding of the Jungfraubahn Holding AG in 1994. He has played a decisive role in the successful development of new markets in Asia. Kessler is known nationwide as the person responsible for innovative events, including the SnowpenAir concerts and the Kick-Off to Euro 2008 on the Jungfraujoch.
With a Federal Diploma as Marketing Manager and a graduate of the Swiss Business Management Course (SKU), coupled with 21 years managerial experience in tourism and transport, Urs Kessler is considered by the members of the executive boards to be perfectly geared to his new position. Born on 27 January 1962, he is married and the father of two children. Growing up in Gsteigwiler and living in Wilderswil, his roots are firmly anchored in the Bernese Oberland.
Interesting assignment Urs Kessler and Thomas Bieger both agree that the function of the Jungfrau Railways CEO is the "most interesting assignment in Swiss tourism". Measured in terms of passenger-traffic revenue, Jungfrau Railways is the third largest railway group in Switzerland after the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the Bern-
Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS) Railway.
At the same time, with 84% of visitors to the Jungfraujoch coming from abroad, the Jungfrau Railway is one of Switzerland’s top international tourism providers. With the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, it owns Switzerland’s most attractive international brand and is an essential partner of JUNGFRAU Winter, the fifth-largest ski region in Switzerland.
