Fill a key position
A leadership role or hard-to-find specialist position is vacant. We define the task, search directly and assess professional and personal fit.
Discuss the appointmentPeople · Business · Future
The right people for decisive steps.
When a key appointment shapes a company’s future, I guide the decision personally – from clarifying the role to finding the right person.
For owner-led Swiss SMEs facing leadership changes, succession and people decisions that need a clear next step.
The conversation comes first. The right tool follows.
Our expertise
Find the right people.
Shape succession.
Strengthen businesses.
We first clarify the underlying task. Then we agree on the next steps and approach suitable people directly where needed. We lead each mandate personally.
Prepare succession
Who will take responsibility next? We clarify goals, roles and expectations before exploring the possible routes and people for the transition.
Explore the succession checkTalk through a decision
A people decision is urgent, but the next step is unclear. Together we examine the options and agree on practical steps for leadership and collaboration.
Arrange a conversationThe position has been open for months.
We first clarify who can lead effectively in the meantime, including interim support where appropriate. In parallel, we sharpen the brief and begin targeted outreach.
The owner is preparing to step back.
We clarify which responsibilities will transfer and what the successor needs to bring.
A leadership decision has stalled.
We surface differing expectations and agree on the next steps.
Illustrative situations showing how the work begins.
My approach is not fine print.
I stand for candour with respect, experience without pretence and technology used with judgement. Responsibility, intuition and trust remain human.
Long-term over quick.
A strong appointment proves its value not on day one, but over years.
Personal over generic.
Every starting point is different. That is why my work begins with listening.
Clear over complicated.
I say what I see – clearly, directly and with a focus on solutions.
I use AI to see more.I trust people to make the right decisions.
Patrick Bernold
Strategic adviser to SMEs and entrepreneurs
About me · Patrick Bernold
Entrepreneurial thinking. Human judgement.
I know companies from several perspectives: as CEO and board member of Ericsson AG, as CEO and board member of Swistec Systems AG, and as an entrepreneur and managing partner in executive search. This experience helps me understand situations quickly without jumping to conclusions.
Ericsson AGCEO & board member
Swistec Systems AGCEO & board member
e-selection AGOwner & managing partner
View my professional background on LinkedIn
Every mandate has my personal attention: I lead the conversations and key decisions myself. Where specialist knowledge is needed, I draw on my network.
My strength lies where strategy and people meet. I combine a robust network with direct outreach, clear judgement and a genuine drive to bring the right people together.
Connecting people and businesses.
I support SMEs in finding specialists and executives – in Switzerland and internationally. I combine entrepreneurial experience with a personal understanding of people and their potential.
View my work & referencesThe first step is a conversation
What is on your mind?
Let us talk openly. No sales presentation. No detours.