Vivien Jain to lead Swiss Association of Wealth Managers in shift towards sustainability and digital innovation
The Swiss Association of Wealth Managers (SAM) is preparing for a significant leadership transition as Patrick Dorner, the long-serving CEO, plans to step down at the beginning of 2026. He will be succeeded by Vivien Jain, a seasoned executive known for her deep expertise in asset management and her recent tenure as CEO of the Aquila Group. The appointment marks a strategic choice for SAM as it continues to evolve in response to regulatory and market changes.
SAM serves as the umbrella organisation representing approximately 800 independent asset managers across Switzerland. Historically, it also functioned as a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) alongside its advocacy role. This role changed significantly with the introduction of the Financial Institutions Act (FINIG), which shifted regulatory oversight away from SAM. Since then, SAM has focused entirely on lobbying and providing member services aimed at strengthening the position of independent asset managers within the Swiss financial landscape. This pivot underscores the association's commitment to advocacy and targeted support rather than regulatory enforcement.
Vivien Jain brings to the role a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership experience. A Canadian-Swiss dual national, Jain has spent more than a decade with Aquila—widely recognised as Switzerland’s leading platform for independent asset managers. During her tenure as CEO of Aquila from early 2021 to mid-2025, she managed a network of approximately 90 partner firms overseeing client assets exceeding 22 billion Swiss francs. Her professional journey began at PwC in Zurich, where she specialised in financial regulatory services and consulting, laying a robust foundation for her subsequent roles in asset management. Jain also holds advanced certifications, including a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Banking, Capital Market, and Insurance Law from the University of Zurich, as well as being a certified Swiss Fund Officer.
Her leadership in sustainable finance initiatives further distinguishes Jain. In 2021, under her guidance, Aquila, alongside other Swiss wealth management firms, committed to a series of ambitious sustainability priorities. These include enhancing transparency, developing sustainable investment solutions, investing in training, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jain has advocated for embedding sustainable corporate governance and finance as the new standard in the industry, reflecting a broader shift towards responsible and future-focused wealth management practices in Switzerland.
Moreover, Jain has been a prominent voice on digital transformation within wealth management, asserting that digitalisation is essential to remain competitive and meet evolving client needs. She emphasises that adapting digital solutions is not optional but necessary to bridge traditional wealth management practices with modern technology. This forward-looking approach will likely influence her leadership at SAM as the association supports members navigating an increasingly complex financial environment.
Jain herself has characterised her upcoming role as a “logical next step” in her career and acknowledges the significant transformation SAM has undergone in recent years. With regulatory duties receding, she is focused on enhancing SAM’s advocacy efforts and supporting independent asset managers more intensively as they face ongoing challenges and opportunities in Swiss financial markets.
The transition marks both continuity and renewal for SAM. Having had a long-standing leader in Dorner, whose retirement will close a notable chapter, the arrival of Jain signals a renewal in energy and strategic vision. Her combination of regulatory insight, operational leadership, commitment to sustainability, and focus on innovation positions her well to guide the association and its members through the evolving landscape of Swiss wealth management.