Governance

Managing Partner of the Pictet Group from 1987 to 2016, Jacques de Saussure acted as Senior Managing Partner from 2010 until his retirement in June 2016. During his banking career, Jacques served on the board of several entities at the core of the Swiss financial services industry, including the Swiss Bankers Association, the Swiss Stock Exchange and SIX Group AG, as well as its subsidiary EUREX AG. Jacques holds a degree in Greek and Latin from Collège Calvin in Geneva, a degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and an MBA in Finance from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Antoine Delaporte is the Founder and Managing Partner of Adenia Partners, a Private Equity firm focused on Africa since 2002. With offices in 7 countries on the continent, Adenia Partners has raised more than USD 800 million. The funds make controlled investments in high potential companies and aim to promote sustainable development in the countries of operation. Prior to founding Adenia Partners, Antoine Delaporte was an entrepreneur in Madagascar from 1995 to 2002 and a manager at Bain & Co, a leading strategic consulting firm, in London and Paris from 1988 to 1994. Antoine holds a master’s degree in management from ESCP (Paris, Oxford, Dusseldorf) and an MBA from INSEAD, France.

Christèle retired from Pictet Group after 25 years and now serves on the L’Occitane International Group and Pictet Group Foundation Boards, in addition to her Independent Board member roles at Symbiotics Group and Symbiotics Asset Management. She joined Pictet in 1998, with her last role as Global Head of HR. Prior to that, she was CEO of Pictet Asset Management Singapore and Head of Institutional Clients in Geneva. She also became Pictet’s first female Equity Partner and contributed to key People & Culture initiatives. Before Pictet, Christèle worked at BNP Paribas in Paris and Geneva. She holds an MSc in Business Management from EDHEC Business School and a Federal Diploma in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management (CIIA/CFPI, Switzerland).

Beth Krasna is the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Ethos Services SA, and the Chairwoman of the Foundation Board of IHEID (Geneva Graduate Institute, until June 30, 2025); she is also a Member of the Council of AVICEN SA. Previously, she served as Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF), Vice Chairwoman, and later President of the Ecoles Polytechniques Fédérales, and member of the Councils of BCV, COOP, Bonnard & Gardel Holding, Alcosuisse AG, Raymond Weil, Xsensio SA and the Universita della Svizzera Italiana. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from EPFZ and an MBA from the Sloan School at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Me David Ledermann is an expert on corporate law, M&A and financing transactions with a particular emphasis on complex equity financing for privately held companies, convertible debt financing and debt financing backed by traditional and non-traditional assets. He regularly advises Swiss and international investors, borrowers and lenders. David joined Lenz & Staehlin in Geneva in 1999 to become a partner in 2007. He holds a degree in Law from the University of Geneva and an LL.M. degree from Duke University School of Law.

At Symbiotics since 2005, Roland has been head of business development and CEO, before being appointed chief executive of the holding company and board chair of affiliated business lines. Prior to co-founding Symbiotics, Roland worked for BlueOrchard Finance as their CFO for three years, as well as for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Geneva in management consulting, for McKesson in San Francisco in corporate finance, and for UBS Switzerland in institutional asset management. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the Graduate Institute (IHEID) in Geneva and a master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago.

At Symbiotics since 2010, Christophe has been investment manager, head of asset management fixed income and head of investment operations, before being appointed CFO in December 2018 and CEO of our Group Services in January 2025. Formerly, Christophe worked for sixteen years for UBS in Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich and in New York in positions ranging from credit and recovery management, risk management and structured lending to client-facing activities in the Sub-Saharan African market. Christophe holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, a diploma of advanced studies (DAS) in commodity trading from the University of Geneva and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences, Lausanne.

With over two decades of global HR expertise, Imane leads the HR agenda at Symbiotics since January 2022. Her role encompasses strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the continued growth and development of HR-related functions in line with Symbiotics' mission to promote sustainable development in emerging and frontier economies. Previously, Imane held the position of Group Head of HR at Philia SA overseeing offices across Switzerland, Singapore, UAE, Congo, and Morocco. Her international HR background includes roles at Louis Dreyfus Company, Edesia Asset Management, and Addax Petroleum Services. Passionate about personal and organizational growth, Imane thrives on leading teams and organizations toward success. She holds Swiss and Moroccan nationality, she holds a Swiss Brevet Federal in HR, certified qualifications in Coaching, in Mediation, a degree in International Trade at the University Ibnou Zohr as well as a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the Swiss Federal Institute (EPFL).

John has nearly 25 years of experience in finance, marketing, and communication, having worked across international banking, asset management, and corporate strategy. He began his career in event management and brand strategy before moving into marketing and communication roles in the financial sector. After holding key marketing leadership positions at HSBC Private Bank, he returned to Symbiotics in 2014, where he has since taken on broader responsibilities spanning marketing, communication, project management, and corporate strategy. As Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), he oversees marketing and communication while actively supporting business development and the coordination of market development strategies. He holds a degree in visual communication and various certifications in marketing, communication, and management.

With extensive experience in emerging markets, Amy brings a wealth of on-the-ground legal, business, and strategic knowledge to the firm. Since joining Symbiotics in January 2018, she has overseen the legal, impact, and governance functions. Prior to Symbiotics, she worked at Ogletree Deakins, a full-service global law firm, the World Health Organization, and held various positions in conservation, the prevention of human trafficking, and academia. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School, and a law license in the United States.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the digital field, Saïd has worked across various sectors, including industry and finance. Graduated from the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (INPG) in France, Saïd began his career as a security, system, and network engineer, gradually transitioning into managing information systems and integrating data oversight. Since joining Symbiotics in 2014, he has played a key role in shaping the firm’s technological infrastructure and innovation roadmap. His journey has led him to his current role as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where he leverages his extensive expertise to drive technological innovation and oversees IT strategy, system architecture, and digital initiatives, driving operational efficiency and technological growth.