Multinational management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group has announced the election of Christoph Schweizer as its next CEO, effective 1 October 2021. He will succeed Rich Lesser, who will become Global Chair of the firm.

Schweizer, who is based in Munich, has been with BCG for over 23 years and worked with its businesses on every continent. He is currently BCG's Head of Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, responsible for 39 offices in 23 countries making up 30 percent of the firm's revenues. Prior to that, he was Head of Global Practice Areas. He has also served as a member of BCG's Executive Committee and Operating Committee since 2014.

BCG's CEO election process gives all its managing directors and partners—almost 1,500 according to the firm—an equal vote in selecting the next global leader.

Incumbent CEO Lesser said of Schweizer's election: “As our next CEO, Christoph brings integrity, vision, and bold leadership to help our clients successfully navigate out of the global crisis and thrive in the new reality. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Christoph as he has successfully built strong, diverse teams and robust, resilient businesses in a wide range of countries around the world, as well as cutting-edge capabilities in our practices.”

Accepting the election results, Schweizer said: “I’m incredibly grateful to our partners for the trust they’ve placed in me to lead this world-class organization as we enter a new chapter of unprecedented change, challenge, and opportunity for our clients and for the world. It’s an honor to build on Rich’s incredible legacy of growth and expansion of capabilities, and in leading BCG with such integrity.”