Changes at Sympany
Basel, 7 January 2011 – From 2011 Sympany will adopt the Sympany brand as its sole identity symbol. The Vivao Sympany, Moove Sympany and Trust Sympany sub-brands will be incrementally phased out. In 2011 Sympany will be replacing its longstanding CEO, Dr. Beat Ochsner; the new incumbent will be announced over the next few months. There will also be one other departure from the Executive Board.
New: simply Sympany
From 2011 the company will be represented solely by the Sympany brand. The Vivao Sympany, Moove Sympany and Trust Sympany sub-brands will be phased out. Market research has revealed that the Sympany brand is widely recognised and has a very good image. As a result, Sympany's market presence will be consolidated into one brand. The conversion will take place in stages and has no influence on current insurance agreements. Legal entities and risk carriers remain unchanged. This standardised market presence promotes simplicity, improves efficiency and reduces costs.
Selection of next CEO under way
The Foundation Board and CEO Dr. Beat Ochsner have arranged to start the selection process for the new CEO. Dr. Ochsner has worked for the company since 1997 and has now finalised his retirement plans after a long and successful career at Sympany: “I helped chart the company’s course for many years and I found the conversion from ÖKK Basel to Sympany to be a particularly exciting and challenging period in my career. With the structural streamlining which we announced last June and the uniform brand announced today, the new CEO will find the company in good shape.”
Foundation Board Chairman Ralph Lewin said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Beat Ochsner for his many years of service to the company and extend my best wishes to him. However, before he departs for a well-earned retirement I look forward to working with him in familiarizing the new CEO with his role.” Dr. Ochsner will remain at the company until the Foundation Board has appointed the new CEO and an orderly transfer of duties is ensured.
Reto Toscan takes on a new challenge
Reto Toscan, Executive Board member and Market Head, is to take on a new career challenge outside Sympany starting 1 July 2011. He joined Sympany in June 2003 and made a major contribution to developing the corporate customer business. The Executive Board and Foundation Board at Sympany regret Mr Toscan’s departure, thank him for his longstanding and successful contribution to the company, and wish him all the best for the future.