Insights and Answers from Our New CEO, Christoph Schweizer

On May 27, Christoph Schweizer was elected as BCG’s next CEO, effective October 1. Christoph is BCG’s seventh CEO, succeeding Rich Lesser, who becomes global chair after completing his third and final three-year term as CEO. To read more about BCG’s unique election process and transition see here.

Christoph, what excites you most about being BCG’s CEO and the future of the firm?

First is the opportunity to create winning teams—pairing brilliant individuals with a positive team environment. This goes for those in client-facing roles and those in business support functions. I want to be in the work not only with my colleagues but also my friends. I love this firm—but even with the best insights and products in the world, we would be nowhere without our people! Whether you are in China, Greece, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, the US, Germany, or anywhere else in the world, the BCG DNA is the same—great people with great team spirit. Second is the chance to spend time with our clients in their “moments of truth.” BCG has always been about solving the most complex problems for CEOs and senior leaders, but the nature of those problems has taken on a whole new complexity and scale. The next decade—and surely the next four years—will bring unprecedented change and challenge. This is what is so exciting!

What is the greatest challenge you think our clients will deal with in the year ahead?

The two greatest challenges ahead for our clients are also their greatest opportunities.

First, sustainability. Companies and governments will have to get serious about decarbonization extremely fast: setting the right targets, reduction mechanisms, metrics, and enforcement. Many are starting late, and catching up will often be challenging and costly for these players. We need to be at their side, as a trusted partner. All companies, across industries, will have to define strategies to reduce emissions (both direct and throughout the supply chain), and implement swiftly. We have deep expertise on how to do this, and we will also be able to support those involved in sustainability financing, technology, regulation, metrics, and ratings.

Second, embedding artificial intelligence. AI will radically change how people work, making their tasks more creative, more decision-oriented, and less transactional. To seize the opportunity, our clients need to fundamentally redefine operating models, value chains, decision making, and end-to-end processes, while protecting themselves from associated risks, such as info security.

What do you think makes BCG so special?

It sounds cliché, but BCG is really all about the people and the culture—curious, enthusiastic, always searching for what we can do to improve. Here, the best ideas count no matter who you are and where you’re from. There is a spirit of genuine caring and support among BCGers that I haven’t seen in any other company, and it is like this across geographies. We operate as a team in every sense—cheering each other on when things go well, supporting each other when we are struggling. No matter how large we grow, I am committed to keeping our values at our core, ensuring all BCGers are involved in BCG’s purpose, and that we are a firm where anyone, regardless of background, can thrive and bring the best ideas and solutions to the table.

Can you give us a few words to describe your leadership style?

Values led, empathetic, transparent, curious