Pro Helvetia restructures management level because of love affair
Published: Wednesday, Nov 1st 2023, 16:30
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 2nd 2023, 00:54
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Pro Helvetia, the foundation for the promotion of culture, is restructuring its management level with immediate effect. This was triggered by Director Philippe Bischof's love affair with a member of management who previously reported directly to him. Bischof is also stepping down two years before the end of his term of office.
Bischof is relinquishing responsibility for the "External Network and International Affairs" division because his partner is heading this department. This was announced by the Foundation Board to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday. Bischof is thus no longer the superior of his partner with immediate effect.
Responsibility for the foreign department goes to Bischof's deputy. Bischof, in turn, takes over IT in return. According to those responsible, it was important to break up the hierarchical relationship between the two executives.
Do not "sacrifice the woman
The relationship between Bishop and the division manager had become known in the summer and had raised the question of how companies or - as in this case - a foundation under public law should deal with love among executives.
The fact that, as is so often the case, "the woman is sacrificed", i.e. has to go, was out of the question for Pro Helvetia. After all, she had not done anything wrong. The employees were informed about the castling on Wednesday morning.
"More time for private life"
However, the castling is not intended to be a long-term solution. The plan is for it to last only until June 2025. This is the date on which Bishop wants to hand over his office - around two years earlier than planned. His term of office would not end until November 2027.
This decision matured over a longer period of time, he said. "I clearly want to have more time for private life." He also said that he had done cultural work for so many years, there were many other areas that would also interest him.
No immediate departure
An immediate departure was out of the question for Bischof, however, because cultural policy is currently in a transitional period. In December, the successor to Federal Councillor Alain Berset (SP) will be elected. This will give the Federal Office of Culture a new head and Pro Helvetia a new direct contact.
At the same time, the foundation needs a new president of the foundation board for 2024, because the term of office of the current president Charles Beer expires at the end of December.
Next year, the new cultural message is also on the parliament's agenda. He still wants to experience all these changes as director, Bischof said. However, the search for his successor will begin soon. In spring, the position of director will be advertised.
The foundation aims to promote Swiss culture at home and abroad. It spends around 45 million francs of taxpayers' money on this annually.
©Keystone/SDA
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