10 November 2026 · Mandarin Oriental, Zurich

Swiss Institutional Symposium 2026

Switzerland's gathering for institutional asset owners.

Apply for Participation
About the Symposium

The Swiss Institutional Symposium 2026 is a curated one-day format convening senior institutional asset owners and decision-makers.

The symposium provides a platform to rigorously challenge prevailing asset allocation frameworks, explore the potential of digital transformation, and assess the next generation of investment paradigms, as well as new sources of return and diversification.

Hosted at the Mandarin Oriental, Zurich, the programme blends thought-leading plenary sessions with curated networking and private exchanges among senior decision-makers.

Attendance is by application and reviewed on an individual basis.

Admission is free for representatives of pension funds, collective foundations and other asset owners, as well as for specialized advisors.

1.42 Trillion USD: Assets managed by pension funds (Source: AMAS)
8.76 Trillion USD: Total AuM by Swiss asset managers (Source: IMF)
1,292 Number of pension funds in Switzerland (Source: FSO)
74% Of all active insured persons are now members of an SGE (Source: ASIP)
Megatrends

Five themes shaping the 2026 programme.

  1. 01
    Day 1 · Morning
    Panel · 4 speakers

    Private markets beyond the hype

    What allocations look like once the denominator effect fades and private credit re-prices to fair value.

  2. 02
    Day 1 · Afternoon
    Roundtable

    Sustainability: from disclosure to outcomes

    Transition plans, transition capital, and the gap between what funds say and what they hold.

  3. 03
    Day 1 · Closing
    Keynote + panel

    AI in investment management

    How the buy-side is really using AI in 2026 — from portfolio construction to operational due diligence.

  4. 04
    Day 2 · Morning
    Roundtable

    Geopolitics and capital flows

    Fragmentation of the global investment map and what it means for Swiss pension funds and insurers.

  5. 05
    Day 2 · Afternoon
    Fireside

    The next generation of allocators

    Succession, talent, and the shift in the investment committee's skills profile over the coming decade.

Programme
Symposium Day Tue 10 Nov 2026 · 08:00 – 18:30 · Mandarin Oriental, Zurich
08:00
Arrival
Registration & Welcome Coffee 08:00 – 08:30 · Doors open. Registration, badge pick-up and welcome coffee.
08:30
Opening
Welcome & Opening Keynote 08:30 – 09:00 · Official opening, followed by an opening keynote on the state of Swiss institutional investing.
09:00
Keynote · Panel
Regulation 09:00 – 09:30 · Vera Kupper-Staub, President of the Occupational Pension Supervisory Commission OPSC, on the regulatory agenda — followed by a panel with pension fund representatives.
09:30
Keynote · Panel
Total Portfolio Approach 09:30 – 10:00 · Moving from silo-based asset allocation to a total portfolio approach, with a focus on infrastructure. Speaker tbc.
10:00
Keynote · Panel
AI Survey 10:00 – 10:30 · How asset owners and asset managers are actually deploying artificial intelligence — survey findings and panel discussion. Speaker tbc.
10:30
Break
Coffee Break & Networking 10:30 – 11:00
11:00
Keynote · Panel
Private Debt: Use Case 11:00 – 11:30 · A practitioner use case in private debt — sourcing, structuring and risk management in the current cycle. Speaker tbc.
11:30
Keynote · Panel
Insights: Manager Selection 11:30 – 12:00 · What asset owners look for, how mandates are awarded, and where selection processes go wrong. Speaker tbc.
12:00
Keynote · Panel
Fixed Income 12:00 – 12:30 · Positioning, duration and credit risk in a shifting rate environment. Topic and speaker tbc.
12:30
Break
Lunch & Networking 12:30 – 13:30
13:30
Keynote · Panel
Sustainability 13:30 – 14:00 · Reporting duties, transition planning, and what supervisors now expect. Speaker tbc.
14:00
Keynote · Panel
Venture Capital 14:00 – 14:30 · Access, vintage diversification and realistic return expectations for an institutional VC allocation. Speaker tbc.
14:30
Break
Coffee Break & Networking 14:30 – 15:00
15:00
Keynote · Panel
Cat Bonds 15:00 – 15:30 · Catastrophe bonds and insurance-linked securities — diversification, pricing and capacity. Speaker tbc.
15:30
Keynote · Panel
SUVA: Use Case in Alternatives / Private Markets 15:30 – 16:00 · Christoph Bianchet, CFO of SUVA, on building and governing an alternatives allocation.
16:00
Keynote · Panel
Outlook 2027 16:00 – 16:30 · Market and macro outlook for 2027 and the implications for institutional portfolios. Speaker tbc.
16:30
Networking
Cocktail Reception 16:30 – 18:30
10 November 2026 · Mandarin Oriental Zurich

Programme

A single-track day in four thematic blocks. Each session is a keynote and can be followed by a panel.

Preliminary programme – subject to change.

08:00
Arrival Registration & Welcome Coffee
08:30

Welcome & Opening Keynote

Opening
09:00 – 10:30

Pension Fund Regulation, AI & Allocation

3 sessions · Keynote & Panel
09:00
The Future of Pension Fund Regulation in Switzerland
Vera Kupper Staub, President, Occupational Pension Supervisory Commission OPSC (OPSC)
09:30
Total Portfolio Approach for Swiss Pension Funds and Asset Owners
Moving beyond silo-based allocation, with a focus on infrastructure. Panelists include experts from WTW as well as pension funds
10:00
Swiss Institutional AI Survey 2026:
How asset pension funds and collective foundations in Switzerland deploy artificial intelligence
10:30
Break Coffee Break & Networking
11:00 – 12:30

Private Markets, Infrastructure and Growth Capital

3 sessions · Keynote & Panel
11:00
KKR Keynote «Recalibrating Portfolios: The Evolving Role of Private Markets»
Hagen Raab, Managing Director at KKR
11:30
Infrastructure: Use Cases
Panel discussion: What asset owners look for and how international cooperation is key
12:00
Fixed Income: A New Era for Institutional Investors
Positioning, duration and credit risk in a shifting rate environment: How will this change capital allocation with Swiss Pension Funds and Asset Owners?
12:30
Lunch Lunch & Networking
13:30 – 14:30

Sustainability, ESG and Impact Investing

2 sessions · Keynote & Panel
13:30
Pension Funds: ESG Integration Across Asset Classes
Panel discussion with Sabine Döbeli, CEO of SSF and Swiss pension funds
14:00
Impact Investing for Pension Funds
Panel discussion with Sascha Cisar, Nest Collective Foundation and others
14:30
Break Coffee Break & Networking
15:00 – 16:30

Alternatives & Outlook

3 sessions · Keynote & Panel
15:00
ILS and Cat Bonds in Institutional Portfolios
Use case presentation by Swiss Re and a leading pension fund
15:30
Alternatives: Use Case
Christoph Bianchet, CIO of the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund Suva
16:00
Outlook 2027: Special Note
Market and macro outlook for 2027 and what it means for institutional portfolios
16:30 – 18:30
Reception Cocktail Reception

Speakers are announced as they are confirmed.

Speakers
Dr. Marta Ra
Co-founder
Swiss Institutional
Pricing & Access

One framework, four entry points.

By invitation

Allocator

Pension funds, insurers, sovereign capital

Full event
Complimentary
Registration

Wholesale

Family offices, private banks, wealth managers

Full event
On application
Limited

Manager

Asset managers, GPs

Full event
On application
Reserved

Partner

Event partners – see Partnership tiers

Full event
Included

Participation fees for the 2026 edition are confirmed on application and exclude Swiss VAT. Access is reviewed per applicant by the editorial committee.

Content

Research & whitepapers.

4 reports

Research Report – Switzerland 2026

Quarterly analysis of allocation trends and private-market flows across Swiss pension funds.

CHF 890 · Delivered PDF
Request access
2 whitepapers

Whitepaper – Transition Capital

Long-form deep-dive on transition finance and the next decade of sustainable allocation.

Complimentary · Emailed upon request
Download
Programme Partners
partnership brief →
Partnership

From first conversation to the event stage.

  1. 01
    Month 1

    Scope & fit

    We review your audience goals, session format, and sponsorship fit against the 2026 programme.

  2. 02
    Month 2

    Term sheet

    We agree on tier, deliverables, speaking slots, and allocator matching – documented and signed.

  3. 03
    Month 3

    Content co-creation

    Joint editorial planning with our programme team. Panels, fireside chats, or roundtables.

  4. 04
    Month 4–5

    Delegate matching

    We curate allocator conversations tied to your investment focus – not a scattershot attendee list.

  5. 05
    Event

    Symposium delivery

    A full day on stage, in the room, on the record. Media and capture rights bundled in.

  6. 06
    Follow-up

    Post-event continuity

    Introductions, research briefings, and placement in our year-round programme through to the next edition.

Apply

Request your invitation.

The Symposium is by invitation only. Applications are reviewed by the editorial committee within ten working days.

Event The Swiss Institutional Symposium 2026

The application form is being prepared. Please check back shortly or write to events@swiss-institutional.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Swiss Institutional Symposium?

The Swiss Institutional Symposium takes place on 10 November 2026 at the Mandarin Oriental Zurich. It is a one-day event with a continuous programme alternating between keynotes and panels.

What is Swiss Institutional?

Swiss Institutional is a platform for institutional investors. It is anchored by the annual Swiss Institutional Symposium and further events as well as curated exchanges.

Who is behind Swiss Institutional?

Swiss Institutional is founded by Andreas Schaffner and Dr. Marta Ra. The organiser and contracting party is BCP Business Content Production GmbH, c/o Andreas Schaffner, Gotthardstrasse 38, 8002 Zurich (UID CHE-337.245.477). Swiss Institutional® is a registered trademark of BCP.

How is Swiss Institutional funded?

Swiss Institutional is independent and is privately funded by its co-founders. 

Who do I contact if I would like to publish an article?

For topic proposals and contributions related to Swiss Institutional, please reach us at schaffner@swiss-institutional.com.

How can I register to attend?

Registration is via the registration form on this website. For questions about attending, please contact events@swiss-institutional.com.

How do I become a partner of Swiss Institutional?

Partnerships are arranged directly with our team. Please contact partner@swiss-institutional.com to discuss your objectives and the partnership tier that fits your goals.

How independent is the information on Swiss Institutional?

Editorial content is produced independently of partnership and sponsorship decisions. The editorial team decides on topics and their execution on its own.

Content produced as part of a partnership — such as native articles or advertorials — is clearly labelled as such and distinguishable from the rest of our coverage.

What other events are planned?

Our flagship event is the annual Swiss Institutional Symposium, complemented by other events in 2027 and recurring roundtables. Around these events, we publish research notes, interviews, whitepapers, and post-event reports.

How does Swiss Institutional handle data protection and source protection?

Personal data is processed only for the purposes for which it was collected and is not shared with third parties who are not involved in delivering the relevant service. Further detail is available in our privacy policy.

Journalistic sources are treated according to the usual standards of editorial confidentiality: statements and background information are attributed to a person only with that person's consent. Please also refer to our statements in our imprint section. 

How does Swiss Institutional relate to investrends.ch?

Swiss Institutional and investrends.ch are run by the same organisation and complement each other as two platforms with different reach: Swiss Institutional addresses a narrower audience of senior institutional investors, while investrends.ch is a German-language platform serving the broader Swiss professional investment community. Exclusive content is published first on Swiss Institutional and subsequently made available to a wider audience via investrends.ch.