Thomas W. Bechtler

Overview

Thomas W. Bechtler has been a member of the Board since 1994 and of the Compensation Committee since 2006, on which he had already served from 2003 to 2004. From 1999 to 2003, he served on the Audit Committee and from 2003 to 2006 on the Risk Committee. His term as a member of the Board expires at the AGM in 2008. The Board has determined him to be independent under the Group's independence standards. Mr. Bechtler studied Law at the universities of Zurich and Geneva. After graduating in 1973, he obtained a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University, Massachusetts, in 1975, and a doctorate from Zurich University in 1976. Mr. Bechtler is the Vice-Chairman and the delegate of the Boards of Directors of Hesta AG, Zug, and Hesta Tex AG, Zug, both largely family-owned companies which own Zellweger Luwa AG, Uster, and Schiesser Group AG, Kusnacht. Mr. Bechtler has been Chairman of the latter companies since 1994 and 1992, respectively. Mr. Bechtler's other board memberships include: Bucher Industries, Niederweningen (since 1987), Conzzetta Holding AG, Zurich (since 1987), Sika AG, Baar (Vice-Chairman; since 1989) and Swiss Reinsurance Company, Zurich (since 1993). Mr. Bechtler is a member of the Board of Trustees of Swisscontact, Zurich, and serves as the Chairman of the Zurich Committee of Human Rights Watch.