What we do
Zurich Invest Ltd is responsible for three investment platforms with a broad selection of traditional and alternative investments:
- The Zurich investment foundation (ZAST), which specifically addresses the requirements of Swiss pension funds and is managed by Zurich Invest Ltd
- The Zurich institutional funds (ZIF), which focus on investment opportunities for institutional customers
- Zurich Invest Luxembourg (ZILUX), which provides an ideal environment for innovative structures
Alongside pension funds and institutional customers, we also provide private customers with lower net worths access to the advantages of large investors.
Why we are independent
Unlike many banks, we are independent and can freely pick the investment products we recommend to customers. We work with the best asset managers in each asset class and offer modern financial solutions. As our track record shows, this approach pays off for everyone. Including you.
How we select
Our vision
- We are committed to helping our customers reach their long-term investment objectives. Our efforts contribute to ensure lasting financial security in retirement.
- We provide flexible investment solutions for private customers, pension plans and institutional investors.
- We are part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a global pension and risk management company.
- Our values: customer centricity, excellence, sustainable value creation, integrity, teamwork.
- Our promise: independent, competent, personal.
Fewer details
More details
Fewer details
More details
Our promise
- Independent: Independent, structured and documented investment management process to select and monitor the best portfolio managers based on objective criteria.
- Competent: Creation of competitive, optimized investment vehicles. Monitoring by specialists and an investment committee. Broad diversification possibilities with traditional and alternative investments.
- Personal: Holistic, partnership-based support for our customers with extensive services and reports.
Our values
- Customer centricity: Our business revolves around our customers.
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality and continuous optimization in everything we do.
- Sustainable value creation: We create and sustain value – for our customers, our shareholders, our people and society.
- Integrity: We treat everyone in a fair and honest manner.
- Teamwork: We work together as one team to achieve our mutual goals.
Part of a leading financial group
Zurich Invest Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. Zurich is one of Switzerland's largest insurance companies. The Zurich Insurance Group operates worldwide, employing a workforce in excess of 55,000 in more than 170 countries.
Management
Tom Osterwalder, CEO
Tom Osterwalder joined Zurich in 2002 after an international career at Novartis and was the CIO of Zurich Invest Ltd from 2006 to 2020. Since 2021 Tom headed the Institutional Business division and he was appointed CEO in October 2023. He holds a degree in banking and finance from the University of Zurich and successfully completed the CFA program and the Executive Program at IMD in Lausanne.
Christoph Hug, Head of Finance & Operations
Christoph Hug joined Zurich in 2004 immediately after graduating from the University of Zurich with a business and computer science degree. After working in management accounting and investment reporting, he became Head Finance at Zurich Invest Ltd in 2014. Christoph Hug is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).
Dr. Sébastien Dirren, Head Investment Management / CIO
Sébastien Dirren has been working for Zurich Invest Ltd since 2010. He has a broad experience in asset management and previously worked in alternative investments for five years. He is responsible for the entire investment platform, the selection and controlling of asset managers as well as for our sustainability strategy. In collaboration with our key clients, he also drives the development and structuring of innovative financial product.
He studied theoretical physics at the ETH Zurich and holds a doctorate in natural sciences. He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen and Vlerick Business School and has obtained the CFA, FRM and CAIA certification.
He studied theoretical physics at the ETH Zurich and holds a doctorate in natural sciences. He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen and Vlerick Business School and has obtained the CFA, FRM and CAIA certification.
Marcel Rova, Head Real Estate Switzerland
Marcel Rova has been with Zurich since 2005 and has headed the Real Estate department of Zurich Switzerland since 2012 as Head Real Estate. As a qualified architect (HTL) and admitted lawyer (lic. Iur. HSG), he and his team of more than 20 employees are responsible for fiduciary real estate investments throughout Switzerland.
Dr. Marvin Simoni, Head Mortgages Switzerland
Marvin Simoni joined Zurich Invest AG in 2020 as Head of Mortgages. Prior to that, he was Head of Mortgages at Allianz since 2013 and held various management positions at Zürcher Kantonalbank for 12 years. Marvin holds an MBA from Washington State University and a DBA from the University of Queensland with a thesis on risk analysis of real estate portfolios.
Sandra Cafazzo, Head Institutional Business
Sandra Cafazzo joined Zurich Invest Ltd in 2024 as Head of Institutional Business. Prior to that, she was Head of Sales & Marketing Switzerland at Robeco. She has many years of experience in serving institutional clients, which she gained at PIMCO and Wellington Management in Zurich and London. She started her career at UBS in 2001. Sandra holds an MBA from London Business School and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich (HWZ). She is a CFA Charterholder and currently President of the CFA Society Switzerland.
Philippe Niederer, Head Private Client Business
Philippe Niederer has worked as Head Private Clients at Zurich Invest Ltd since 2024. Prior to that, he held various management positions at Raiffeisen Switzerland. He was also Head of the Advisory & Sales division. Philippe Niederer holds a degree in business administration.
Partner
Custodian and fund management company of Zurich Invest Ltd/Zurich investment foundation
Two established partners and Zurich Invest Ltd – a strong team
Two established partners and Zurich Invest Ltd – a strong team
Portrait of State Street
Leading global provider of financial services for institutional investors
State Street is one of the top three global custodians worldwide, with assets under management of around CHF 30 trillion (as of December 2016) with a successful European presence since 1970. State Street has around 32,000 employees in 30 countries worldwide, with around 9,000 in Europe. State Street provides top-tier financial services along the entire value creation chain in the asset servicing segment. State Street has been present in Switzerland since 1998. The FINMA-regulated Zurich branch serves a diverse clientele comprising pension funds, investment foundations, asset managers, fund management companies and insurance companies. State Street is perfectly positioned to serve demanding customers and provides access to extensive local market knowledge, a broad selection of scalable solutions and state-of-the-art technology.
Portrait: UBS Fund Management
Proven skills for client-specific fund solutions
As the Swiss fund management company of the UBS Group, UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG is specialized in the field of individual fund solutions for institutional investors and wholesale clients. In collaboration with first-class internal and external partners, the company structures, launches and manages funds around the globe. In cooperation with the UBS fund company in Luxembourg, it supervises more than 80 clients, has contracts with more than 150 asset managers and manages more than 500 products. For more than 20 years, UBS has been providing white labeling services and fund solutions for its clients and partners.
