Swiss Re funds risk Chair at ETH Zurich

Swiss Re said it will finance a risk management research and education program called the Chair for Integrative Risk Management at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich).

The Chair will be established to create a world-class global risk management research and education programme, said to Swiss Re. It committed to providing CHF 5m (£2.5m, Euro 3.1m) to the ETH Zurich Foundation over the coming six years to finance the newly created Chair at ETH Zurich.

The Chair is part of a strategic risk research initiative from ETH Zurich aimed at providing knowledge and tools for the concurrent management of technical, economic, natural, and social risks within a geographical context.

“The Risk Chair will be essential in fostering integrative risk management research and education based on prevention, preparation, response, recovery, and risk transfer solutions - aiming at a more resilient society.

Peter Forstmoser, chairman of Swiss Re's board of directors

Peter Forstmoser, chairman of Swiss Re’s board of directors, said: ‘It is Swiss Re’s long-term aspiration to position Switzerland as a globally recognised risk management hub. The Risk Chair will be essential in fostering integrative risk management research and education based on prevention, preparation, response, recovery, and risk transfer solutions – aiming at a more resilient society.’

Ralph Eichler, president of ETH Zurich, continued: ‘Swiss Re has been associated with ETH Zurich for decades. We are delighted to extend this cooperation to the field of risk management, a field in which both partners have extensive expertise. Presently, about 20 professors work at ETH in risk-related topics and the new Chair will combine this knowledge in a comprehensive way.’