Consultants Gain Public Affairs Specialist with EU Know-How

Consultants Gain Public Affairs Specialist with EU Know-How

Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Konsulenten have a new co-owner and partner who has gained experience in crisis management in the Federal Administration. He will also bring added value to clients in matters relating to Switzerland's future relationship with the EU.

Communications and business consultancy Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Konsulenten has a new co-owner and partner as of January 1, 2025: Lukas Gresch-Brunner.

The former Secretary General of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI) will enhance the agency's public affairs expertise in Bern with his many years of experience and broad network, according to the press release issued on Wednesday.

Confederation, Cantons and EU

Gresch-Brunner served as Secretary General of the EDI from 2020 to the beginning of 2024, where he gained experience in crisis management and crisis communication, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis. Prior to that, he was State Secretary of the Canton of Lucerne for eight years and thus Chief of Staff of the Lucerne Cantonal Government and Secretary General of the Cantonal Council. His earlier career includes 12 years with the Federal Administration, where he served as deputy head of the Federal Department for European Affairs (EDA/WBF) and as an advisor to Federal Councillors Joseph Deiss and Doris Leuthard.

The new partner is described as an «expert on Switzerland's international relations, in particular those with the European Union», who will support the consultants «in all EU-related issues». He is expected to provide «added value for clients,» especially in light of the ongoing clarification of the bilateral relationship between Switzerland and the EU.