Corporate Governance
Principles of
corporate governance
Thanks to our national and international partnerships, we offer real added value for everyone. We make a difference by developing ideas together and pursuing common goals. We present our beliefs, goals and results to the public in a transparent and honest manner.
Valbella-Lenzerheide Youth Hostel
The Corporate Governance guidelines of the Swiss Youth Hostels consist of the Articles of Association, the organisational regulations (OGR), the Code of Conduct (CoC) and the regulations of the Employee Committee. These form the basis for effective and efficient governance, which is guided by the specifications of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.
The accounting complies with the Accounting and Reporting Recommendations (Swiss GAAP ARR) and gives a true and fair view of the financial position, the cash flows and the results of operations. The Executive Board and the management team have instituted internal precautions in order to ensure conformity of the organisation’s annual accounts with the applicable financial reporting requirements and to ensure proper reporting. A functioning system of controls is implemented internally.
Bodies of the association
As of 1 April 2024
Hostel Managers (own hostels)
Adamer Andrea, Mariastein | Anthamatten Chantal, Saas-Fee | Ashenafi Nathnael, Zurich | Bouffey Philippe, Lausanne | Briggeler Yannic, Zermatt | Bühler Patric, Pontresina | Burgener Theres, Leissigen | Casanova Nadia, Davos | Caviezel Tina, Pontresina | Chauvet Charlie, Avenches | Creanga Andrei, Brienz | Doré Grégory, Avenches | Egli Esther, Locarno | Frenkel Jan, Valbella | Gabathuler Heinrich, Burgdorf | Gänger Florian, Bern | Jurscha Nastasia, Kreuzlingen | Käser Martin, Fällanden | Kaufmann Anja, Baden | Kaufmann Dennis, Baden | Klein Lukas, Grindelwald | Koch Adrian, Schaan-Vaduz | Koch Isabelle, Schaan-Vaduz | Krehhahn Stefanie, Laax | Krezdorn Saba, Brugg | Mäder Adrian, Sils im Domleschg | Marti Daniel, Richterswil | Meinhardt Sirko, Schaffhausen | Milani Clément, Delémont | Müller Tanja, Richterswil | Müller Tobias, St. Moritz | Palme Sabine, Zug | Penwell Christoph, Rapperswil-Jona | Penwell Michelle, Rapperswil-Jona | Rähmi Patrick, Stein am Rhein | Sadiku Bekim, Lucerne | Scherler Andrea, Bern | Schmidt Sara, Brienz | Sigrist Pascal, Davos | Steininger Anja, Gstaad Saanenland | Steininger Gunther, Gstaad Saanenland | Strik Reinco, Beinwil am See | Truttmann-Burckhardt Daniela, Seelisberg | Urbanski Isabel, Engelberg | Westerlaken Yvonne, Scuol | Wettstein Tobias, Basel | Wildhaber Nadia, Locarno | Witschi Nicolas, Crans-Montana | Wittwer Orlando, Solothurn | Zouadi Lucas, Montreux | Zürcher Ulrich, Interlaken
Employee Committee
The Employee Committee represents the interests of all employees to the CEO and the Executive Board.
Christen Nicole, Sales Manager | Kaufmann Dennis, Hostel Manager Baden Youth Hostel | Wettstein Tobias, Hostel Manager Basel Youth Hostel | Zürcher Ulrich, Hostel Manager Interlaken Youth Hostel (President)
Elected until 31 December 2024
Management Team
The management team is the management of the Swiss Youth Hostels. The members are appointed by the Executive Board. The CEO heads the management team. The Director Operations is their deputy. The management team is responsible for implementing the idealistic and strategic goals defined by the Executive Board. It defines the operative goals and monitors their achievement.
Bunte Janine, CEO, CEO Chair of management team (from 01.01.2019) | Unger Thomas, Director Operations, Deputy CEO (from 01.12.2023) | Gilgen Corina, Director Sales (from 01.09.2023) | Eisele André, Director Marketing & Communication (from 01.09.2019) | Walter Laura, Director Finance & Controlling (from 01.08.2021)
Executive Board
The Executive Board is the highest management body and is chosen by the assembly of delegates for a term of four years. The members can be re-elected, but are subject to a restriction of tenure of 12 years. It consists of a total of at least 8 to a maximum of 12 members. The Board defines the strategic orientation and reviews the operative implementation.
Gallo Mathias (from 29.11.2019) | Juon Gian Marco (from 06.03.2020) | Kulcsár Thomas (from 06.04.2018) | Michel-Abegg Corinne (from 27.11.2015) | Reutlinger Frank (from 23.11.2018) | Schneuwly Yves (from 23.09.2022) | Spiess Rahel (from 11.06.2016) | Tauber Gomez Stephanie (from 23.09.2022) | Wyss Andreas (from 25.09.2021) | Züllig Nico (from 23.09.2023)
Chairmanship
Reutlinger Frank, President (from 15.06.2019) | Kulcsár Thomas, Vice President (from 01.10.2023)
Elected until 31 December 2027
Audit Committee
Wyss Andreas, Chairman | Kulcsár Thomas | Schneuwly Yves
Elected until 31 December 2024
Steering Committee
Reutlinger Frank, Chairman | Gallo Mathias | Juon Gian Marco | Spiess Rahel
Elected until 31 December 2024
Delegates
The members choose 20–80 delegates for four years. Their powers include modification of the Articles of Association, ratification of the annual report, approval of the actions of the bodies, election of members of the Executive Board, President and statutory auditors, as well as nomination of honorary members.
Elected until 31 December 2027
Avesani Giancarlo, Melano | Bianchin Patricia, Neuchâtel | Bislin Ursina, Zurich | Bollhalder Rolf, Teufen | Burgherr Delia, Zurich | Bürgisser Lucio, Zurich | Buschor Trudi, Moosseedorf | Denzler Corinne, Rotkreuz | Flepp Anna Tina, Chur | Fuchs Edwin, Zollikon | Fuchs Michel, Zollikon | Furger Christine, Arlesheim | Furrer Daniel, Lucerne | Giacomazzi Agnese, Manno | Giacomazzi Gaia, Zurich | Gisler Alfred, Lucerne | Gruber Chiara, Zurich | Gruber Vanessa, Zurich | Gruber Veronika, Gelterkinden | Haag-Lochmann Helen, Hirzel | Haefeli Lukas, Zurich | Haug-Kern Esther, Zurich | Hauri Michael, Stäfa | Hauri Susanne, Stäfa | Item-Uhlemann Janine, Untervaz | Jenni Noemi, Zurich | Keller-Giovanon Helene, Ossingen | Koch Isabelle, Schaan | Liechti Nina, Grosshöchstetten | Lutz Béatrice, Birsfelden | Meier Nicole, Zurich | Meyer Stefan, Arbon | Ming Pascal, Unterägeri | Montandon Jonathan, Zurich | Mottier André, Ste-Croix | Müller Karin, Bonstetten | Müller Tim, Bonstetten | Palme Sabine, Zug | Ramsperger Rolf, Neuhausen am Rheinfall | Renggli Tobias, Buchrain | Riedo Stephanie, Zurich | Rodriguez Simon, Rüschlikon | Rutz Theresia, Winterthur | Schoch-Sutter Carmen, Märstetten | Schuler Claudia, Valbella | Schwyter-Faist Yolanda, Zezikon | Senn Annemarie, Volketswil | Shafai Yeganeh, Pfäffikon | Städler-Bischof Esther, Wattwil | Steiger Thomas, Muttenz | Steinmann Rolf, Cham | Störi Thomas, Muttenz | Straubhaar Sarah, Neuchâtel | Strehler René, Zurich | Strehler Tim, Zurich | Streuli Cornelia, Steinhausen | Surber Sébastien, Aadorf | Thut Tobias, Kriens | Uhlemann Luzia, Untervaz | Vogel Manon, Hinwil | Volkart Kerstin, Zurich | Weber Kathrin, Bischofszell | Witschi Nicolas, Crans-Montana | Zürcher Eva, Gonten
Auditing Body
Bommer + Partner Treuhand, Bern
Is elected every year by the assembly of delegates.
Honorary Members
Kern Jack, Zurich | Kurmann Stephan, Hirzel | Lüdi Heinz, Effretikon | Müller Christoph, Bonstetten | Wälle Robert, Lucerne
Remuneration of committees
Delegates
Work as a delegate of the Swiss Youth Hostels is on a voluntary and honorary basis and is not compensated financially. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed.
Every year, delegates receive 21 accommodation coupons allowing free usage of youth hostels operated by the Swiss Youth Hostels Association.
Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board provide their services based on the corporate governance guidelines for non-profit organisations in Switzerland, the Swiss NPO code and other relevant regulations on a voluntary and honorary basis. The work of the Executive Board is not compensated. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed. For their voluntary activities, the members of the Executive Board receive 42 accommodation coupons every year that allow free visits to own youth hostels. If the President or a member of the Executive Board performs more than 100 hours of voluntary work within one calendar year, they are entitled to compensation for every further hour.
In 2023, the President and members of the Executive Board worked 587 hours (prior year: 643), 418 (prior year: 496) of which were non-remunerated.
Remuneration in the form of fees and reimbursement of expenses in the amount of CHF 44,489 (prior year: CHF 37,477) was paid out. Of this sum, the President received CHF 25,194 (prior year: CHF 22,677).
Auditing Body
In 2023, fees for auditors amounted to CHF 39,600 (prior year: CHF 38,075).
Risk assessment
In risk management, various risks which affect the Swiss Youth Hostels are taken into account. A comprehensive risk inventory is continuously updated and the risks assessed according to their probability of occurrence and their possible impact. In addition, an internal risk report is drawn up every year.
Even after overcoming a pandemic and a shortage of energy, the world does not seem to be settling down. In 2023, the Executive Board and the management team grappled with the impact of the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the inflationary economic conditions, particularly in the European region. The major risks identified lay in the areas of market environment and demand, liquidity, the shortage of skilled labour and cyber criminality. It was constantly checked whether the risk containment measures are sufficient or need to be expanded. Despite many increased risks, the Swiss Youth Hostels were able to generate a positive annual result and further strengthen the organisational capital.
The careful selection of suppliers is very important for the Swiss Youth Hostels. It was ensured at all times that, as far as possible, local suppliers could be taken into account and that these comply with the high standards in the areas of ecology and social values as the Swiss Youth Hostels do. Since the entry into force of the Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas and Child Labour (221.433) on 01.01.2023, the management team introduced appropriate processes and carried out checks on the suppliers. As no reasonable suspicion of child labour was identified, the Swiss Youth Hostels are exempt from due diligence and reporting obligations in line with the Ordinance.
