The Graubünden government has elected Heinz Huber as the new Chairman of Graubündner Kantonalbank (GKB). He succeeds Peter Fanconi and will take office on July 1, 2025, according to a press release on Wednesday. Huber will step down from Raiffeisen at the end of the year and the search for a successor has begun.

Huber took over as Chairman of the Executive Board of Raiffeisen Switzerland January 2019. At that time, he replaced Patrik Gisel and interims-CEO Michael Auer. Huber has led the cooperative banking group back into calmer waters over the past six years following the scandal involving former CEO Pierin Vincenz.

A Solid Track Record of Success in the Financial Sector

According to the press release, Heinz Huber was selected due to his extensive experience in the financial sector.

Before joining Raiffeisen, he served for many years as Chairman and a member of the Executive Board of Thurgauer Kantonalbank. Huber began his career by learning the banking business from the ground up through an apprenticeship at UBS.

The 60-year-old is particularly connected to Graubünden through his second home, writes GKB.

The current bank president Fanconi had already announced his resignation in July 2024. In order to ensure a seamless transition, he will continue in his role as Bank President until the end of June 2025.

Search for Successor Initiated at Raiffeisen

According to a statement from Raiffeisen, Christian Poerschke, Head of the Finance and Services Department and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, will assume the role of Chairman on an interim basis on January 1, 2025.

«Heinz Huber took over as Chairman of the Executive Board of Raiffeisen Switzerland at a very challenging time and has always managed the company prudently and successfully with a steady hand,» says Raiffeisen Chairman Thomas Müller. Over the past six years, Raiffeisen has expanded its customer business in all business areas and presented strong business figures.

The Board of Directors has initiated the succession process.