From the start of 2026, the Swiss wealth industry group will have a new head, taking over from a predecessor who has been in the role for 18 years.

The managing director of the Swiss Association of Wealth Managers (SAM), Patrick Dorner, will be stepping down at the end of 2025, and Vivien Jain – the former CEO of Aquila – will take over next year. 

In its September newsletter, SAM president Serge Pavoncello said of Jain: “Thanks to her profile and extensive experience in our industry, combined with the high level of knowledge and expertise of our employees, we will ensure a smooth transition and be able to meet the challenges of the future.”

Jain, who was CEO of Aquila from March 2021 to May this year, according to her Linkedin profile, is based in Zurich. From 2014 to 2021, she was head of compliance and risk at the firm, which is a partner for independent asset managers in Switzerland.

Dorner has been in the role at SAM for 18 years. Among various roles, he is chairman of the Supervisory Organisation AOOS, and board member at Schweizerische Verband freier Berufe (aka The Swiss Association of Liberal Professions).

The association, founded in 1986, says it has about 2,500 members, representing about half of the 1,500 wealth and portfolio managers in Switzerland. The Alpine state's external asset manager (EAM) sector has shrunk to some extent since new regulations for the industry came into force, imposing tighter licensing and compliance requirements. SAM says it is the largest industry association in Switzerland.