Air-Glaciers will appoint Esther Zermatten as its CEO effective December 1, 2026. A 53-year-old native of Valais and an experienced executive with the Schindler Group, she will succeed Bernard Vogel, who will take early retirement after six years at the head of the company.
Following a rigorous recruitment process conducted by an external firm, the Board of Directors, chaired by Mr. Philipp Perren, appointed Ms. Esther Zermatten as CEO of Air-Glaciers. More than ninety candidates had submitted their applications to the Board.
A 53-year-old native of Valais and a business economist with a Master of Science in Business Administration specializing in Innovation Management, Ms. Esther Zermatten has built a long and successful career spanning more than 25 years with the Schindler Group. In particular, she served as Head of Repair Management with global responsibility. Throughout her career, she worked for the Schindler Group first in Sion, then in Paris for four years, and finally at the headquarters in Ebikon. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Trilingual (French, German/Swiss German, and English), Ms. Esther Zermatten impressed the Board of Directors with her people-oriented leadership, her extensive management experience in an international setting, and her strong ties to the Valais region.
Esther Zermatten brings a solid track record of leading teams in demanding environments, a strong commitment to quality and safety, and a deep connection to the Valais region. The Board of Directors is convinced that she possesses the qualities necessary to guide Air-Glaciers as it continues to grow and fulfill its mission in serving the public, our customers, and our partners.
A seamless transition in the spirit of continuity
Ms. Esther Zermatten will officially step into her new role on December 1, 2026. A gradual transition with the current CEO, Mr. Bernard Vogel—who has exercised his right to early retirement—is planned leading up to her tenure.
Air-Glaciers is a company I have always admired for its professionalism, its commitment to serving the public, and the excellence of its teams. I look forward to getting to know the company from the inside, meeting its employees, and contributing to its growth while upholding the values that have built its reputation.
Bernard Vogel is handing over a financially sound and forward-looking company
After taking over as head of Air-Glaciers in 2020 amid particularly challenging circumstances, Bernard Vogel led a major reorganization of the company. During his tenure, Air-Glaciers stabilized its financial situation, strengthened its management structure, modernized its organization, and made significant investments in its fleet and infrastructure. Today, the company is on a sound financial footing and has a clear vision that allows it to confidently tackle the next stages of its development.
These six years as head of Air-Glaciers have been a demanding yet exciting challenge. Together, we have transformed the company, strengthened its financial stability, and laid the groundwork for the investments needed to secure its future. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all employees for their dedication and trust. I am pleased to hand over to Esther Zermatten a solid, forward-looking company that is ready to continue its growth.
The Board of Directors extends its warm congratulations to Esther Zermatten on her appointment and assures her of its full support as she assumes her new responsibilities. It also expresses its deep gratitude to Bernard Vogel for his dedication and his pivotal contribution to the turnaround and growth of Air-Glaciers over the past six years.