Oliver Hammel Becomes New CEO Of Jungfrau Railways
Jungfraubahn Holding AG, in an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 of the Listing Rules that the Boards of Directors of Jungfraubahn Holding AG and Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG have unanimously elected Oliver Hammel as the new CEO of Jungfraubahnen. The 41-year-old will take over operational business from the current Jungfraubahnen CEO, Urs Kessler, in the course of June 2025, who will then retire.
"I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Oliver Hammel, a young, dynamic and internationally experienced personality, for this task. This means that a designer with the courage to drive things forward will lead Switzerland's most important mountain railway company into the future," explains Heinz Karrer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jungfraubahn Holding AG. On behalf of Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG, Chairman of the Board of Directors David Beeler emphasises that "Oliver Hammel impressed us in the selection process with his economic thinking and entrepreneurial actions. He is cosmopolitan and approachable and approaches people and changes with an open attitude."
Working worldwide – returning home
Oliver Hammel currently lives with his family in Thailand and has been working for the global company DKSH since 2015. The company is a leader in market expansion services with a focus on Asia, its headquarters are in Zurich and the company has been listed on the Swiss stock exchange, SIX Swiss Exchange, since 2012. Oliver Hammel has been Director of the Technology division for the markets of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma) for several years. From 2015 to 2022 he was Managing Director of the DKSH Technology division for the China market, based in Shanghai. Before that, he worked for EROWA AG as Head of Marketing, Sales and Service for Northeast Asia from 2010 to 2015, based in Shanghai, China.
For Oliver Hammel, the Jungfrau Railways embody "tradition and innovation, values that are both very important to me." The group of companies "operates in a dynamic and demanding environment and must therefore continually develop further," all in the context of a wide range of stakeholders, from employees to residents to authorities and shareholders.
"I will also bring an outside perspective to the well-established company," says Oliver Hammel. "I am delighted to be able to work in my home country again in a company steeped in history with a world-famous brand and to be able to build on a solid long-term strategy," says Oliver Hammel. With his international experience as a managing director and in marketing and sales, he can also rely on an experienced management team and motivated employees.
He is aware that he will be following in big footsteps: "I have great respect for that, but at the same time the Jungfrau Railways and their history have an enormous appeal, which is also reflected in the numerous very experienced and proven employees," explains Oliver Hammel.
Someone from outside
While the last two CEOs of the Jungfrau Railways came from the region and had been working for the company for a long time, the two board members decided to go for someone from outside in the current election. "Oliver Hammel convinced us with his personality and brings with him his international experience. He can also count on an experienced management team," explains Heinz Karrer.
"Thanks to his previous work, Oliver Hammel is familiar with dealing with different interest groups and cultures," says David Beeler. This will also benefit him here, in discussions and negotiations with various stakeholders.
Handover in the course of June 2025
Jungfraubahn Holding AG announced on August 31, 2023 that long-time CEO Urs Kessler will retire in June 2025. After an introductory period, Oliver Hammel will take over Urs Kessler's operational business in the course of June 2025. By then, he will complete his work with his current employer in Thailand and move to the Jungfrau Region.
Oliver Hammel is 41 years old and was born in Liestal (BL). After an apprenticeship as a designer at Scholl in Safenwil, he initially worked as a project manager and apprentice supervisor. He later completed various further training courses in leadership and marketing/sales.
Oliver Hammel currently lives in Asia, is married to a Chinese woman and is the father of a 9-year-old daughter. Oliver Hammel and his family will move to the Jungfrau region, which he knows well from various vacations. He spends most of his free time with his family, and in the summer he can be found hiking and sailing or kite surfing. In the winter he enjoys skiing in Switzerland.
