After turbulence at the Red Cross: new SRK chairman Zeltner wants to make Henry Dunant proud

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He did it. Thomas Zeltner (75) is the new chairman of the Swiss Red Cross (SRK). It should not be an easy job, because the SRK is in a deep crisis.

After director Markus Mader (60) was fired last December, its president, Barbara Schmid-Federer (57), was caught in the crossfire of criticism. An external study confirmed her “little aptitude and will to lead”. Schmid-Federer eventually resigned – “for health reasons”. Zeltner now wants to bring peace to the organization. This is also necessary, because the company’s own employees also complain about the poor working atmosphere.

“A Newbie in the Office”

At the subsequent media conference, Zeltner emphasized that he was “a newcomer to office” and also relied on cooperation with his two vice presidents. But Vice Presidents Matteo Pedrazzini and Hans Jürg Steiner also received criticism. It is feared nothing will change if the two remain in office, insiders told Blick.

It is not yet clear how long they will remain in office. They were elected for four years. But all councilors agreed to stay for just one year for now. During this period, the profiles of the Red Cross Council presidencies must be redefined. “If we no longer meet the desired profile, we will resign,” says Zeltner.

This is also to ensure that the committees become more diverse – the employees had also asked for this. ‘It has a woman and a Romand. That would no longer be the norm for a modern commercial company,” admitted Zeltner. That should change in a year. “Some men should make way for women, some German-speaking Swiss for French.”

In contact with Sommaruga

A woman who has been traded several times as SRK boss is former Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (63). According to Zeltner, they had contact by phone. She’s open to discussion, says Zeltner, adding, “But she said she was very busy right now.”

For Zeltner it is now a matter of regaining trust – that has suffered. “What I wish in the coming months is that Henry Dunant – if he just looks up from the grave – would be proud of how the organization is set up.” (brother)

Source:Blick