Business in Switzerland is - like many places - a personal thing.

People make all the difference.

But where to meet the right people? Who are the most valuable connections? How to get “plugged-in” to the right communities - at the right level?

Whether its meeting C-level bankers on the rise or fellow investors, here are 5 social clubs that serve their members with exclusive connections - at the very top.

Efficiency Club

Founded in 1936, the Efficiency Club Zurich serves as a platform for leaders in business, politics, and culture to exchange ideas and engage in discussions. The club organizes regular events featuring prominent speakers including its annual Let’s Talk forum and regular lunch gatherings with interesting speakers.

The Club is led by long-time president Guido Persterer with a board that includes Janusch Z. Raft (Vice-Presient), Francisco Fernandez, Siro Barino, Ardian Gjeloshi, Dr. Alexander Herzog among others.

The Club’s advisory board includes Georges Kern (CEO, Breitling), Peter Spuhler (CEO, Stadler Rail Group) and
Dr. Thomas Werlen (Partner, Quinn Emmanuel Switzerland).

Klub zum Rennweg

Situated in the heart of Zurich, Club zum Rennweg brings together a younger generation of prominent figures from Swiss economics, politics, art, and culture. The Club opened its doors in 2005, with Thomas Ladner as president, to much acclaim - with a reported membebership of around 200 and fees north of 10’000 CHF per year.

The Club's board currently includes Martin Spieler (President), Philippe Gaydoul, and Daniel Riediker.

Club Baur au Lac

Established in 1970 and inspired by English gentlemen's clubs, Club Baur au Lac provides a discreet and representative setting for business meetings and social interactions. The club is hosted in the elegant Zurich hotel of the same name: Hotel Baur au Lac.

The Club is chaired by a committee comprising Dr. Willi K. Leimer, George Müller, Philipp W. Rhomberg, Charles Roulet, Andreas Schmid, and Dr. Daniel von Stockar.

*The Family Roulet - hosts at Club Baur au Lac*

Harbour Club

Founded in 2000, the HarbourClub is an exclusive network for Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) in Switzerland.

Membership is limited to 100 active CCOs from businesses and organizations, along with up to ten other influential figures in the Swiss communications landscape. Current members range from Andreas Stuber (SBB), Stefan Göbel (Generali) and Christian Dorer (Migros) to Rainer Borer (ETH Zurich) and Christof Buri (LGT Group).

The club's Managing Board, led by President Hans-Peter Nehmer, focuses on promoting pragmatic collaboration and addressing challenges in corporate communication.

C-Level

C-Level is a premier community connecting top executives from leading Swiss companies and the neighboring DACH region.

The platform facilitates peer-to-peer exchange, offering access exclusively to members of management and boards of directors.

Notable members include Manuel Kunzelmann (CEO, Migros Bank), Nic Dreckmann (CEO, Julius Baer), Jolanda Grob (Group Chief People Officer, Zurich Group), and Jochen Hurlebaus (Head of Digital Health Innovation, Roche).

C-Level is led by Managing Partner Gabriel Ruggli.

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5 Swiss Private Clubs for Business Leaders