Switzerland is regarded as one of the most stable yet also most demanding business locations in Europe. High quality standards, strong governance structures and a highly competitive market environment shape everyday corporate life. Especially in times of transformation, restructuring or leadership transitions, Executive Interim Management is of significant strategic importance.
With the recent aquisition of FS Partners by the international Valtus Group, a clear signal has been sent: Switzerland is not only an independent market, but a central building block for the further expansion of a European interim leadership network.
Against this backdrop, Roman Benedetto, Partner at Management Factory, speaks with Simon Frei, Managing Partner of FS Partners, about market developments, entrepreneurial mindset and the future of Executive Interim Management in Switzerland.
Simon, FS Partners has clearly positioned itself in the Swiss interim management market. How would you describe your company?
FS Partners is a Swiss boutique consultancy with a clear focus on Interim Management and strategic transformation support – particularly in the financial domain. We support companies in critical phases such as restructurings, leadership changes or complex transformation projects by providing highly experienced interim executives, often in CFO or finance-related roles.
Since our founding in 2009, we have completed more than 550 projects and now work with over 450 clients.
How did FS Partners come about?
My own professional background was decisive. I started with a commercial apprenticeship, completed an MBA alongside my career, and worked for many years as a controller and later as a CFO in international companies – including as CFO Asia for Oerlikon in China.
At some point, I realized that my classical corporate career had come to an end. That led to the founding of FS Partners in 2009, initially with the aim of offering myself as an interim CFO and project leader.
So FS Partners began as a one-man business?
Yes, for around ten years I was largely active myself. But the demand for highly qualified, flexible support in the finance function grew continuously. Companies were specifically looking for experienced leaders on a temporary basis.
That is when I began building a network of selected finance experts – and from that moment on, FS Partners developed dynamically.
What differentiates FS Partners from other providers in a mature market like Switzerland?
Our clear specialization and depth of expertise. We deliberately focus on finance and transformation roles. Thanks to my own CFO experience, I understand the expectations and challenges of our clients very well – which is a decisive advantage when selecting the right interim executives.
In addition, we work in a very personal, pragmatic and hands-on way. This boutique DNA still defines us today.
How has your service portfolio evolved over the years?
In the beginning, our focus was almost exclusively on finance and CFO roles. Today, we have a highly efficient pool of around 100 interim professionals, of whom 70 to 80 are deployed each year. This high utilization rate speaks both to the quality of our experts and to the trust of our clients.
Joining the international Valtus Alliance was a real game changer: it now allows us to expand our offering to roles such as CEO, CIO or HR.
How do you experience the integration of a Swiss boutique into an international group?
It is a conscious balancing act. On the one hand, being part of Valtus opens up greater reach and international mandates – the first joint project with Valtus Germany is already underway. On the other hand, it is extremely important for us to preserve our Swiss identity. Our personal, tailor-made approach is what our clients value. This “certain something” is exactly what we want to maintain as we grow.
How do you see the development of the interim management market in Switzerland?
The market is mature and highly competitive, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland. There are several large providers at C-level. Our core business remains clearly finance interim management – that is our daily foundation.
At the same time, we observe a clear shift in mindset: more and more professionals and executives, including younger generations, are consciously choosing the interim model in order to work more flexibly and independently. Interim Management is firmly established in Switzerland, and companies clearly recognize the value of experienced leadership on a temporary basis.
You are currently mainly active in German-speaking Switzerland – is that about to change?
Yes, we are deliberately expanding into French-speaking Switzerland. This region has its own culture, language and business dynamics. To be successful there, you need true local presence. That is why we are opening our own office to optimally serve French-speaking clients and candidates.
From your perspective, when is the right time to bring in an interim manager?
Whenever there is an urgent need to act – for example in the case of a vacancy, a transformation project or an unexpected departure. Our clients receive suitable profiles within around 20 hours, and often an assignment can start almost immediately. Interim managers are objective, experienced and not embedded in internal structures. They drive change effectively – and leave once the task is accomplished. That is what makes the model so efficient.
Where is FS Partners heading?
Our focus is on growing further together with Valtus in the DACH region – in Switzerland, Austria and Germany – without losing our boutique strength. We want to remain agile, personal and uncompromising in terms of quality. Cross-border mandates are already increasing significantly, which is very exciting. In Switzerland, we aim to further strengthen our position as a leading partner for Interim Leadership.
Final thoughts: Interim leadership as a strategic success factor
The conversation with Simon Frei makes it clear that Executive Interim Management in Switzerland is long since more than a short-term bridging solution. In a market characterized by stability, precision and a high level of corporate responsibility, organizations need leaders who provide orientation at critical moments, reduce complexity and drive change with determination.
With FS Partners, a boutique has established itself in Switzerland that truly embodies this ambition – with deep financial expertise, profound market knowledge and a clear commitment to quality. The integration into Management Factory and the international Valtus Alliance opens up new perspectives: cross-border assignments, broader role profiles and a European understanding of Interim Leadership that combines local strength with international reach.
Particularly in the DACH region, it is becoming evident how important flexible, experienced leadership on a temporary basis has become – whether in transformations, restructurings or strategic realignments. Companies are not only looking for fast solutions, but for reliable partners who take responsibility, build trust and deliver sustainable impact.